Special Projects Grant: Animals and Habitats
Learning About Various Animals and Their Habitats
Submitted by: Cindy Pellerin
I would like to thank MAME for their Special Project grant that allowed creative and direct learning activities to happen this past school year. We had
Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre do a presentation for the Grades 1-6 about various burrowing animals in Manitoba. It was a great presentation that the students were very engaged with the presenters. Everyone learned more about various burrowing animals found in Manitoba. The presenters brought two ambassadors with them- a snake and a rabbit. The students really enjoyed observing each animal and learning more about each one.
My class had Painted Lady caterpillars in our classroom. The students watched how they grew each day and that they would be in different areas of the container. The butterfly habitat was set up with a couple branches, food, and sugar water. The caterpillars started the chrysalis stage. Next stage was when it developed into a butterfly, but it did not live for very long. Our other caterpillars never became butterflies. Though we did not have the opportunity to release the butterflies in the garden, the students were so excited to observe some of the stages of life of a Painted Lady butterfly.
The Grade 3/ 4 students studied a unit about animals then researched an animal of their choice. Afterwards each student created a diorama that they made with air-dry clay for the animal. Some students also used the clay for the habitat. After sharing with each other, they presented to a Grade 1/ 2 class. So much learning and sharing of their learning happened over those few days.
I would like to thank MAME very much for their Special Grant funding that allowed learning to occur that would not be possible without these funds to support the students learning. Thank you!