E.C.O.: Becoming White-tailed Deer

On April 11th, we participated in an E.C.O. lesson that focused on white-tailed deer.  Students wrote in their E.C.O. journals before going outside, describing what they already know about deer and recording questions that they have about them.  When we went outside, students shared "nature notes" about times that we have observed deer in fields or wooded areas.

Next, students worked with a partner to complete a Signs of Deer scavenger hunt.  They noticed lots of deer scat and footprints in the snow.  They also found some evidence of deer nibbling on branches.

We listened to the Native American tale called How Fawn Got Its Spots, which started a discussion about camouflage.

Then, we played deer adaptation game.  Students took turns using a white "tail" (a piece of fuzzy, white fabric) to signal danger to the other deer.  The deer started by pretending to eat in the woods with their herd.  When they spotted the coyotes approaching, the deer with "tails" signaled to others and the deer had to race back to the "home base".

Afterwards, we discussed the many different adaptations that help deer survive in their habitat, such as white tails, camouflage, speed, hooves, and the location of their eyes on the sides of their heads.  We also talked about how being a part of a herd can help deer survive.

After the main lesson, we enjoyed some Forest Choice time, walking through the woods, playing Coyote/Deer tag, and building shelters.   The weather was beautiful!

E.C.O.: Becoming Snowshoe Hares

We have continued our learning about animals and adaptations through a variety of E.C.O. activities over the past few months.  Before going outside, we wrote in our E.C.O. journals, explaining about what we already know and questions that we want to answer about snowshoe hares.  We also made a scientific drawing of a snowshoe hare, trying to be as accurate as possible.

Outside, we tried to jump like snowshoe hares.  We learned that they can bound up to 12 feet in a single leap and that they have been clocked running up to 30 miles per hour on ice!  We discussed how their hind feet are covered in fur and how they can spread their toes apart to increase the surface area of their feet.  These special features allow them to walk on top of snow when many other animals sink into the deep snow.

Next, we played a predator/prey tag game as we became hares and their various predators, such as foxes, coyotes, and owls.  After that, we had snack in the E.C.O. woods and listened to a Siberian folk tale called How Snowshoe Hare Rescued the Sun.

For our main lesson, we learned about how snowshoe hares change colors which allows them to camouflage themselves in their habitat during different seasons.  Students worked in small groups, taking turns being a brown snowshoe hare, a white snowshoe hare, or a predator.  The "hares" hid their fabric hares somewhere in their "territory" while the predator counted to 20.  Then, the predator had to try to find the hares.  Groups kept track of which hare was easier to find.  All groups discovered that in the spring, there were good places for both the brown and white hares to be camouflaged since the snow is starting to melt.  Did you know that the amount of sunlight that a hare is exposed to brings on its color change?

After the lesson, students returned to their E.C.O. journals to write about what they had learned about snowshoe hares.

Classroom News: Upcoming Events!

We have some exciting special events coming up this week!  

The first event is our field trip to the Barre Opera House to see the ArtsPower performance of Harry the Dirty Dog on Friday, May 4th. The permission slips came home on Friday. Please return them by Tuesday, May 1st.

We will also participate in Green Up Day on Friday, May 4th in the afternoon.  As part of this activity, students will help to clean up the school grounds.  

Students should wear comfortable clothing for walking outside and for sitting at the Barre Opera House that day.