Ecology - Animals

Our students have begun our new inquiry around the discipline of ecology. We have been reading articles during our literacy time about life cycles, India, and endangered animals.

Today students were asked to sort/classify a number of animals into different groups with similar characteristics. Our students came up with many different categories: land animals, house animlas, small animals, smaller animals, furry/fuzzy animals...just to name a few! Once we looked a little closer at our categories, we decided that we had some misconceptions. Many times there were animlas that could fit into multiple categories. We knew there must be a better or more specific way to do this!

We watched this video to help us understand the scientific way animals are sorted: Animal Classification

Guest Speaker - Insect Life Cycles

We also had the opportunity to listen to an expert in insect life cycles! Robin McQueen, who is an entymologist was very knowledgable. We learned about ladybug larva! We had the opportunity to look at live mealworms and crickets AND touch an exoskelton of a beetle! We learned that the word metamorphosis is just like the word metamorphic (rock). Both go through a complete change. 

Ask your child what the teachers tasted at the end of the presentation. Would they try it? Would you?