Becoming Deer: Learning about Adaptations and Survival

Last Tuesday, we continued our Vermont mammal study by learning about special adaptations and features that help deer survive.  We started by sharing "nature notes" about things that we have noticed in nature recently, including many stories about deer.  In small groups, we went on a Deer Scavenger Hunt, looking for tracks, scat, and other signs of deer in the ECO woods.  At snack time, I told a Dakota Sioux story called How the Fawn Got Its Spots.

Our main lesson was a game called Eat and Run.  To start, one student as chosen to be the coyote, while the rest of the class was a herd of deer.  One deer was given a white fabric tail that could be used to signal to the other deer when a predator was approaching.  Then, the deer had to try to make it safely to the ECO shed.  For the next rounds, we increased the number of deer with white "tails" and the number of predators.  Afterwards, we discussed the special features that help deer survive, such as a white tail to signal danger, a good sense of hearing, and eyes on the sides of their heads.  We also discussed how it helped the deer and the coyotes to be in a herd or pack.

Back in the classroom, we read a book about deer to give us more information about all of the animals in the deer family.  Then, students wrote second deer entry in their ECO journals. In have been impressed with their observations, descriptions, and questions.