When we study the characteristics of different organisms, we find patterns of similarity and differences that help us begin to understand how things are related. Such patterns may be useful in sorting and classifying different living things: plants with five petals, animals with four toes, amphibians with a tail, and so on. When we look at a group of organisms, all the spiders, for example, we find that we can learn more about the individual species when we examine how they are alike and different from other members of the group, say, the orb web weavers versus the cob web weavers.

Throughout this yearlong theme, students will examine the characteristics of organisms, paying particular attention to patterns of similarities and differences. They will practice sorting and classifying living things and describing why an organism belongs in a certain group.

 

Patterns - Children's bibliography

(Nature's News - Spiders)

(Upper grade challenge - Activity - Spiders)

(Upper grade challenge - Spider ID Cards)

Leaves

Leaves may vary in appearance and texture, but they all have a common function - to make food for their plant. We'll examine the structure of leaves looking for similarities and differences, share detailed observations, and appreciate our dependence on leaves as food factories.

 

(Nature's News - Leaves)

(Upper grade challenge - Activity - Leaf)

(Upper grade challenge - Leaf Cards)

(Alternative puppet show)

Cones & Conifers

Cones protect the developing seeds on conifers, and different species have very different looking cones. We can learn to match a cone with the correct conifer branch if we look for similarities and differences. Are there five needles to a bundle? Are the needles flat and flexible? We'll use a key to determine the identity of the common conifers in our area.

 

(Nature's News - Cones and Conifers)

(Upper grade challenge - Activity - Cones)

(Cones key)

Snowflakes

A snowflake is an aggregate of ice crystals that has formed while falling from a cloud. Even though each flake is different, they can all be sorted according to some common characteristics. What conditions cause different types of flakes to form? We'll look at different types of winter weather, and, if we're lucky, catch some flakes as they fall from the sky.

 

(Nature's News - Snow Flakes)

(Snowflakes Slide show)

(Snow Classification Sheet)

(Snow crystal photo scan)

(Upper grade challenge - Activity - Snow Crystal)

Animal Tracks

We'd all like to walk out into our backyard and see a deer browsing, a grouse nibbling buds, a cat stalking its prey. Instead, we are more likely to find only last night's tracks. Tracks can provide a glimpse into the lives of animals whose actions are otherwise hidden from us. When we study track prints and patterns, we often can identify who the track-maker was and what the animal was doing as it was passing by.

 

(Nature's News - Animal Tracks)

(Upper grade challenge - Tracks)

(Upper grade challenge - Activity - track sheet 8x11)

(Upper grade challenge - Activity - track sheet 11x17) 

Weed Designs

Winter weeds beautify the landscape with their variety of colors, shapes, and structures. The sturdy design of various winter weeds helps them withstand the snow, holding their seeds until winter winds blow and spread their seeds around. We'll look at various plant structures, compare a variety of weeds, and consider how each weed produces and distributes its seeds.

 

(Nature's News - Weed Designs)

(Upper grade challenge - Activity - Winter weed)

(Winter weed pictures)

Feathering the Nest

Created in a variety of designs and located in nearly every habitat, bird nests are wonderful examples of how form and function intersect in the natural world. What can we learn about the nest-maker by studying the nest? How big is the bird? What is the bird's habitat? We'll see that building a nest using only your mouth and body is tougher than it appears!

 

(Nature's News - Nests)

(Upper grade challenge - Nests)

Protective Coloration

Think about a katydid on a green leaf or a snowshoe hare hiding on a winter's day. In order to avoid being eaten, organisms often are shaped or colored to blend into their surroundings. We'll look at a variety of these protective adaptations and create our own camouflaged critter.

 

(Nature's News - Protective Coloration)

(Upper grade challenge - Protective Coloration)

Honeybees & their Cousins

When you watch bees flying from flower to flower gathering nectar and honey, you can see what it means to be "busy as a bee." Honeybees have a complex social structure that is fascinating to study. We'll look at the anatomy of bees, study the design of their honeycombs, and compare various kinds of bees and their cousins. And of course, we'll enjoy a sweet snack, thanks to the hard work of the honeybee.

 

(Nature's News - Bees)

(Upper grade challenge - Bees)

(Upper grade challenge - Bee Dance A)

(Upper grade challenge - Bee Dance B)

(Upper grade challenge - Bee Dance C)

(Upper grade challenge - Bee Dance D)