Feathers & Fur, Scales & Skin

Keepers of the Animals - Native American Stories and Wildlife Activities for Children

Description

Feathers and Fur, Scales and Skin is part of a compilation entitled Keepers of the Animals which provides an integrated approach to the concepts of wildlife ecology and environmental and stewardship issues concerning animals, habitat, and natural history. Through the use of Native North American stories and hands-on activities integrated with subject areas such as creative arts, theater, science, social studies, mathematics, students learn to understand, live with and care for the animals.

Feathers and Fur, Scales and Skin is a collection of twelve stories from a variety of Native American traditions. Each story provides background information about the legend, information about the animals highlighted in the story, discussion questions and a variety of hands-on activities designed to give students a clearer understanding of the natural history facts or processes described in the story. Each activity provides goals, detailed teaching instructions and a list of required materials. A section entitled Extending the Experience provides a variety of activities to reinforce and supplement the lessons of the stories and activities.

Turtle Races with Beaver introduces many of the important concepts and relationships between plants, animals and their environments. Students participate in a variety of hands-on activities such as performing a puppet show, creating a model beaver pond and playing ecological games.

Octopus and Raven explores the seashore and its inhabitants. Students play a game of charades to imitate the anatomy and behaviour of seashore invertebrates, go on a scavenger hunt and create small models of a mussel’s filter feeding system. They review the natural history of the octopus and have fun playing octopus tag.

How the Butterflies Came to Be examines the role and life cycle of butterflies and insects. Students make a list of all the gifts we receive from insects, create a special gift for the insects, go on an insect scavenger hunt, create models of familiar insects, make an insect instrument and play their own chorus and complete a maze simulating the hazardous migratory route of a monarch butterfly.

Salmon Boy introduces the importance of respect for the salmon, ocean life and conservation of fish. Students learn about the basic external anatomy of a fish by catching a fish in a net, observing it, and releasing it. They listen to a fantasy journey and live out the life cycle of a salmon and calculate the number of potential offspring. They create a diorama of an underwater ocean scene. Students develop a connection with the sea by spending some time alone then writing a thank you note or poem to express their gratitude.

The Woman Who Married a Frog examines amphibians and their adaptations for survival as well as pollution and environmental changes affecting amphibian’s habitats. Students listen to a puppet show to learn more about amphibian characteristics and their metamorphosis, collect and care for frog eggs to experience the developmental stages from egg, larva to frog, watch a frog’s tongue as it is feeding and create a simple motion picture, monitor and record amphibian sightings in the area and take appropriate action for protecting local populations of amphibians.

How Poison Came Into the World and The Boy and the Rattlesnake explore different types of reptiles, conservation of reptiles and animal stereotypes and defenses. Students learn what distinguishes reptiles from other animals through a series of riddles, find and observe reptiles focusing on their defenses and warning signals, create their own reptile, participate in a fantasy journey and see the world from a rattlesnake’s point of view. Students read some traditional animal stories and rewrite one of their favourites. They learn and practice a variety of conservation measures to help protect reptiles.

The First Flute and Manabozho and the Woodpecker explore the topics of birds focusing on flight, adaptation, survival, communication and conservation. Activities include playing a bingo game to help students learn and practice some common bird calls, matching up birds with their correct beaks, playing a matching game to identify some survival adaptations of birds, monitoring local bird populations. They create a papier-mâché woodpecker and its habitat.

Why Coyote Has Yellow Eyes and The Dogs Who Saved Their Master examines mammals and dogs of North America. Students become familiar with local mammals, make papier-mâché masks, play a cooperative puzzle game, study the language of a pet and create a dictionary for the animal sounds. They play a game of choices to see if they are as adaptable as a coyote.

Why Possum Has a Naked Tail looks closely at urban and suburban animals and their habitat. Students go on a walk to search for animals and their living conditions, conduct a survey of people’s attitudes towards animals, research an endangered or exotic species and get involved in a hands-on project by providing a good habitat for an urban animal.

General Assessment

Question	Response
What skills does this resource explicitly teach?	Practice learning a skill through watchful observation Practice teaching using the same quiet, experiential techniques to pass knowledge onto another Students listen to the number of calls made by the field cricket in fifteen seconds and use a formula to calculate the approximate temperature in Fahrenheit and Celsius. Acquire skills in observing and keeping field records of animal sightings. Working cooperatively
What important, related ideas/issues are not addressed in this resource?	Problems and issues surrounding the animal habitat The importance of preserving habitats and their species. Urban sprawl Climate change Pollution Capturing reptiles or birds as exotic pets
What important ideas are implied by the resource, but not taught explicitly?	Conservation of amphibians, fish and reptiles Habitat destruction Environmental issues that affect biodiversity
To enhance this resource the following changes are strongly recommended:	Include some case studies Different ways to spread the word, share their findings with classmates or the community. Include some guest speakers from various organizations mentioned in the resource. Include more suggestions for action components. Provide opportunities for consensus building around habitat preservation and endangered wildlife. Discussions about the problems/solutions surrounding the animal habitats.
To enhance this resource the following changes would be beneficial:	Include some interactive websites Include some pair share activities Assessment strategies and rubrics Modification of materials to accommodate all students Include some technology/website ideas

Sustainability Education Principles

Principle	Rating	Explanation
Bias Minimization	Poor/Not considered	Non-applicable to this resource.
Multiple Dimensions of Problems & Solutions	Poor/Not considered	Not considered in this resource.
Respects Complexity	Poor/Not considered	Not considered in this resource.
Action Experience	Good	Appropriate action suggestions for protecting local populations of amphibians, reptiles and birds.
Action Skills	Mediocre	The resource suggests that students write letters to local or natural conservation groups but does not explicitly teach the skills needed to take effective action.
Empathy & Respect for Humans	Mediocre	The resource uses native wisdom to help young people learn to appreciate the great richness of the gifts animals give to people.
Personal Affinity with Earth	Very Good
Locally-Focused	Very Good
Past, Present & Future	Good	The resource introduces its theme using a Native North American story. The book provides a map of native North America showing cultural areas and tribal locations as they appeared around 1600. The resource suggests action projects students can take part in to help in the recovery of endangered species.

Pedagogical Approaches

Principle	Rating	Explanation
Open-Ended Instruction	Good	Most of the activites in this resource encourage the students to brainstorm, question, discuss, observe, interview, research, work cooperatively and reflect.
Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Learning	Very Good	Language Arts Science Mathematics Art Social Studies
Discovery Learning	Good	Some of the activities facilitate inquiry-based learning.
Values Clarification	Mediocre	In some of the activities, students are given an opportunity to reflect upon their attitudes and values towards animals and their habitats. Students are encouraged to get involved in action projects to ensure the survival of amphibians, reptiles and birds, endangered and domestic.
Differentiated Instruction	Good
Experiential Learning	Good
Cooperative Learning	Good
Assessment & Evaluation	Mediocre	Some reflection opportunities are suggested.
Peer Teaching	Mediocre
Case Studies	Poor/Not considered	No case studies are provided.
Locus of Control	Good

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Feathers & Fur, Scales & Skin

Keepers of the Animals - Native American Stories and Wildlife Activities for Children

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Description

General Assessment

Sustainability Education Principles

Pedagogical Approaches

Relevant Curriculum Units

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Feathers & Fur, Scales & Skin

Keepers of the Animals - Native American Stories and Wildlife Activities for Children

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Description

General Assessment

Sustainability Education Principles

Pedagogical Approaches

Relevant Curriculum Units

Brought to you by