FUR, FEATHERS & FEET EXPLORING BIRDS AND MAMMALS Fur, Feathers and Feet explores the basic questions of What makes a bird a bird? and What makes a mammal a mammal? How are they different and alike? What characteristics do all birds and all mammals have, and what are their functions? These questions are answered in a fun-filled hour of learning. By dressing up two students with the necessary features to make them either a bird or a mammal, a visual identification and comparison can be made. This program is accented with many hands-on materials (feathers, wings, talons), Chewonki's live, mallard duck, and a live, nonreleasable big brown bat, or woodchuck. If time allows, several stuffed mammal mounts may be used in a guessing game based on the information that the students will gain during the program. This is a packed hour-long program of learning activities. It is designed for pre-kindergarten through Grade 2. Equipment and Room Requirements Classroom or multi-purpose room space is fine. Chairs (or desks & chairs) for students, or comfortable floor space. Presentations can be done at a single location, or in individual classrooms if 15 minutes is allowed between presentations. No other equipment is needed. Group size maximum - 30. Groups of 25 or fewer are recommended for pre-k and K classes. Teachers must be present in the room during the program. It is helpful to have a rolling cart available to help move boxes into the building and between classes. It will help our instructors if your students are wearing the nametags provided in this packet. Note: Permits are required for most of the specimens (living and stuffed) that are used in Chewonki Traveling Natural History Programs and students are reminded of the legal limitations of private collections. All of our living animals are non-releasable because of prior injuries, confiscation, or were captive raised before arriving at Chewonki. No animals have been harmed or taken specifically for use in Chewonki programs. Chewonki Traveling Natural History Programs
Class Outline Each presentation takes one full hour and is broken down into several activities engaging for the K-2 age level. The instructor will match the class' level of knowledge and adjust the level of the presentation accordingly. No specific preparation is needed. Any preparation or familiarity with animals and their characteristics will be incorporated into the presentation. A. What is a bird? 1. Students describe the characteristics of birds. 2. One student "becomes" a bird, feature-by-feature, in costume. 3. What are the functions of the different features? (feathers, beak, feet, eyes, etc.) B. Live Bird Demonstration: Chewonki's non-releasable mallard duck C. What is a mammal? 1. Students describe the characteristics of mammals. 2. One student "becomes" a mammal, feature by feature, in costume. 3. What are the functions of the different features? (fur, claws, ears, eyes, etc.) D. Live Mammal Demonstration: Chewonki s non-releasable big brown bat, or woodchuck E. Wrap-up: Students will have the opportunity to view Chewonki s displays through hands on exploration. Chewonki Traveling Natural History Programs
FUR, FEATH ERS and FEET Chewonki s Fur, Feathers and Feet program explores basic concepts of what makes a bird a bird? and what makes a mammal a mammal? How are they different and alike? What characteristics do all birds and mammals have and what are their functions? These questions and more will be answered in a fun filled hour of learning. This program is accented with many hands-on materials such as, feathers, wings and talons. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to get a close up look at both a live bird and mammal. Presented by: TRAVELING NATURAL HISTORY PROGRAMS WISCASSET, ME LOCATION: DATE: TIME: Chewonki Traveling Natural History Programs
PRESS RELEASE Date: Contact: Chewonki presents Fur, Feathers and Feet What: A one-hour program for younger students to explore birds and mammals When: Time: Where: Cost: Presenter: What makes a bird a bird? What makes a mammal a mammal? How are these two groups of animals different and alike? What characteristics do all birds and all mammals have, and what are their functions? Chewonki s Fur, Feathers and Feet program will answer these questions and more in one funfilled hour. Costumes, hands-on materials (feathers, wings, talons and skulls) and discussion will all be utilized to allow for a more in-depth and interactive presentation. Participants will also be given the unique opportunity of being able to compare a live bird to a live mammal through the use of two of Chewonki s non-releasable resident animals. This program is designed for students in Kindergarten through Grade 2. Chewonki Traveling Natural History Programs
Vocabulary Adaptation A behavior, physical feature, or other characteristic that helps an animal survive and make the most of its habitat. For example, ducks have webbed feet that help them swim. Binocular Vision The act or power of focusing both eyes on a single image, thus gaining good depth perception. Birds use binocular vision when they focus straight ahead. Calls Camouflage Canines Carnivore Clutch Crop Down Egg-Tooth Fledge Bird vocalizations that are not songs. Calls are made during courtship, feeding, migration, or as warnings. Protective coloring or shape that helps hide an animal from its predators or prey. Side teeth used for piercing and grasping. An animal that eats meat. Wolves, polar bears, and weasels are examples of carnivores. The number of eggs laid by a female bird during one nesting cycle. A sac at the bottom of the esophagus in many birds that is used to store food for later digestion. Soft and fluffy feathers next to the body that provide insulation. A small, sharp structure on a baby bird's upper mandible that helps it chip through its shell during hatching. The egg-tooth is usually lost within a week or so after the bird hatches. To take the first flight. A bird beginning to fledge is called a fledgling. Flight Feathers The collective primary and secondary feathers of the wing. Fur Habitat Herbivore Guard Hairs Migration Molt Monocular Vision A thick covering of hair on many mammals that protects and insulates them. All mammals have hair, just not always a lot. An animal's home, or area where it lives. For example, the habitat of a meadowlark is a meadow. An animal that eats plants. Deer and rabbits are examples of herbivores. The long coarse hairs that protect a mammal s under-fur and give its coat shape and sheen. Seasonal movement from one region to another. For example, a hawk might migrate from southern Canada to Central America for the winter. To shed and replace. A bird will mold old feathers, to replace with new. The act or power of focusing each eye independently of the other. Birds with monocular vision have a wider field of vision than those birds with binocular Chewonki Traveling Natural History Programs
vision. Most birds have both binocular and monocular vision, depending on where they focus their eyes. Omnivore Plumage Preen Raptor Song Talon Territory Under-fur An animal that eats both plants and animals. Raccoons are examples of omnivores. Collectively, all of the feathers on a bird. To clean, straighten, and fluff the feathers. Most birds have a preening gland. A predatory bird, typically one with sharp talons, strong feet, and a pointed, curved beak. For example, eagles, hawks, and owls are considered raptors. The notes repeated over and over in a regular pattern. Birds use song to help defend territories and sometimes attract mates. The sharp and curved claws on the foot of a raptor. The space a bird defends from other birds (usually of the same species) for mating or feeding. The short, fluffy fur that lies next to a mammal s skin and helps keep it warm. Warm-Blooded Maintaining a constant body temperature, independent of the outside temperature. All birds and mammals are warm-blooded or endothermic. Chewonki Traveling Natural History Programs
With Permission from NWF s Nature Scope. Amazing Mammals.
With Permission from NWF s Nature Scope. Amazing Mammals.
With Permission from NWF s Nature Scope. Amazing Mammals.
With Permission from NWF s Nature Scope. Amazing Mammals.
With Permission from NWF s Nature Scope. Amazing Mammals.
With Permission from NWF s Nature Scope. Amazing Mammals.
With Permission from NWF s Nature Scope. Amazing Mammals.
With Permission from NWF s Nature Scope. Amazing Mammals.
With Permission From NWF s Nature Scope. Birds, Birds, Birds.
With Permission From NWF s Nature Scope. Birds, Birds, Birds.
With Permission From NWF s Nature Scope. Birds, Birds, Birds.
With Permission From NWF s Nature Scope. Birds, Birds, Birds.
Crossword Puzzle Answer Key Down: 1. Chicken 3. Flamingo 5. Robin 7. Canary 9. Eagle 11. Raven 13. Goose 15. 17. Feather 19. Turkey Across: 2. Pigeons 4. Parrots 6. Roadrunner 8. Loon 10. Nightingale 12. Vulture 14. Owl 16. Crow 18. Stork 20. Dove With Permission From NWF s Nature Scope. Birds, Birds, Birds.
With Permission From NWF s Nature Scope. Birds, Birds, Birds.
Duck Name Tags Photocopy this page and cut out the duck nametags for your participants to wear! Nametags worn during presentation help to excite students about birds and mammals and make it easier for the presenters to involve the children by name. Chewonki Traveling Natural History Programs
Recommended Websites This list of recommended websites contains information pertaining to the program you have ordered. These websites are not associated with the Chewonki Foundation and we are not responsible for the content or advertising found therein. AIMS Education Foundation: http://www.aimsedu.org/ Notes: This website provides resources for educators in the areas of math and science. Bat Conservation International: http://www.batcon.org/index.php/education/kids-and-education/kidz-cave.html Notes: Resource for students that offers two different crossword puzzle activities and a printable mask activity. The website also has a downloadable video about echolocation. Bat Conservation International: http://www.batcon.org/index.php/education/kids-and-education/educators-navigationpage.html Notes: Resource page for educators with information regarding bat house construction, public health issues regarding bats, bat natural history and other background information for teachers. Friends of the National Zoo, Just for Kids: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/audiences/kids/default.cfm Notes: This resource has great mammal and bird information and activities such as coloring pages, a bird bill matching game, and a crossword puzzle. Appropriate for first and second graders. National Wildlife Federation: http://www.nwf.org/outside/ Notes: This branch of the NWF website is designed as a resource for parents with activity ideas and some information about endangered mammals. There is also information on outside activities, starting a garden, and adopting an animal. Suggested Readings Badgley, Catherine 2005. Pippa s First Summer. Ann Arbor Media Group. Notes: An upper elementary reader describes the first year of Pippa, a Big Brown Bat (native to Maine!) as she learns to fly, hunt and echolocate. A nice mix of science, fantasy and art. Garelick, May, and Tony Chen, ill. 1975. About Owls. New York, NY. Four Winds Press. Notes: This non-fiction book is appropriate for grades two through four. The book is well-written and reads more like a story than a resource book. Hutchins, P. 1972. Good-night Owl!. New York. Macmillan. Notes: As Owl tries to get to sleep, he is constantly awakened by the other animals going about their daily routines. Will Owl ever get to sleep or get a last laugh? Appropriate for ages four through eight. Milton, Joyce 1993. Bats: Creatures of the Night. Grosset & Dunlap. Notes: Beautifully constructed paper collages illustrate this informational book for early grade-school students. The book boasts a variety of short facts that are easy and interesting to read. Sill, Catherine 1997. About Birds: A Guide for Children. Peachtree Publications. Notes: Beautifully illustrated book with interesting facts for pre-k and early grades about birds. Sill, Catherine 2000. About Mammals: A Guide for Children. Peachtree Publishers. Notes: An introduction for young children to the things that make mammals special. Illustrated with lush watercolors and limited text, good for ages four to eight. Chewonki Traveling Natural History Programs