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Backyard Safari

Elementary

Description

This fascinating outdoor "safari" takes students into a local green space to explore the wild creatures living in the natural surroundings of their neigbourhood.  As they record signs of wildlife and count species, learners also consider how the organisms they discover have adpated to their environment and why different flora and fauna occur in different habitats.  Whether they are exploring a single tree or a large urban park, students will connect with nature while developing their understanding of why environmental stewardship is so important in protecting the remarkable diversity of living things in their community. 

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

This resource supports Grade K-4 Science outcomes related to discovering nature, observing living things, habitats and how animals meet their needs.  Math and Visual Arts skills are used to count and draw observations while students also expand their vocabulary as they learn new definitions.

This activity could be the basis of an extended project where students explore seasonal variations in nature.  An optional "Seasonal Animal Safari" worksheet is included with the support materials.  A class might use the information to improve the school grounds for wildlife with simple stewardship techniques like creating brush piles for overwintering wildlife or erecting bird nest boxes.

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

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  • Alberta
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    • Kindergarten
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions.
    • Grade 1
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions.
    • Grade 3
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions
  • British Columbia
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    • Kindergarten
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science: Plants and animals have observable features
    • Grade 1
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 1: Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment
    • Grade 3
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 3: Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems
  • Manitoba
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    • Grade 1
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Characteristics and Needs of Living Things
    • Grade 4
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Habitat and Communities
  • New Brunswick
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    • Kindergarten
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      • Health Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
      • Science
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        • Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
      • Social Studies
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        • Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
    • Grade 3
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      • Science
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        • Our Local Environment : :Scientific Literacy
  • Newfoundland & Labrador
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    • Kindergarten
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        • Exploring Our World: Attitudes
        • Exploring Our World: STSE and Knowledge
        • Exploring Our World: Skills
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
    • Grade 4
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      • Science
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        • Habitats
  • Northwest Territories
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    • Kindergarten
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Senses & the Body
    • Grade 1
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Characteristics and Needs of Living Things
    • Grade 4
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Habitats & Communities
  • Nova Scotia
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    • Kindergarten
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Primary Science: Living Things
    • Grade 1
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      • Science
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        • Science 1: Needs of Living Things
    • Grade 4
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 4: Habitats
  • Nunavut
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    • Kindergarten
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Senses & the Body
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Characteristics and Needs of Living Things
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Science: Growth and Changes in Animals
    • Grade 4
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Habitats & Communities
  • Ontario
  • Prince Edward Island
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    • Kindergarten
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Exploring the World Using Our Senses
    • Grade 1
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
    • Grade 2
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Animal Growth and Changes:Investigating the Needs and Life Cycles of an Organism
    • Grade 4
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Habitats
  • Quebec
  • Saskatchewan
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      • Science
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        • Units & Outcomes
    • Grade 1
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Needs & Characteristics of Living Things
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Animal Growth and Changes
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Habitats and Communities
  • Yukon Territory
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science: Plants and animals have observable features
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 1: Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 3: Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems

Themes Addressed

Ecosystems (2)

  • Appreciating the Natural World
  • Biodiversity

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