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SALISH SEA
A Handbook For Educators
Sample Activities
Science Activities
Comparing Life Cycles
Science K-3
Selected learning outcomes:
- identify stages in the life cycle of a plant, and a pet or animal
- compare and contrast different types of animal life cycles
- compare the life cycle of an animal hatched from an egg with one
born from the mother
Science 4-7
Selected learning outcomes:
- outline factors that influence the length and quality of life
- give examples of how the differences in individuals of the same
species may give an advantage in surviving and reproducing
Primary:
Have the children draw, or bring to class, pictures that illustrate
the stages of life (birth, youth, juvenile and adult) of Harbour Seals,
humans, and Great Blue Herons. As pictures are discussed, cluster them
appropriately and place onto three separate charts in the shape of wheels.
Add labels to denote each stage of life. Draw attention to similarities
and differences. Provide children with blank booklets in which to write
and illustrate what they have learned about life cycles.
The table below chronicles the development of a heron and leaves spaces
for the students to fill in life stages of other animals. Distribute
copies of the table and have students fill in for seals and humans.
Compare all three life cycles in the following categories: reliance
on parent(s), needs for food and water, the importance of home/habitat.
Exploring Life Cycles
Intermediate:
Contact community resource people (birders, naturalists, biologists)
who are knowledgeable about habitats and life cycles of various marine
birds, mammals, fish and plants. Using books and what you can learn
from these people, fill out a "Life Cycle Needs Table" similar
to the one below, by providing times (or intervals) and notes in the
cells. The Great Blue Heron example is provided.
| Life Events \ Animal |
Great Blue Heron |
(Species 2) |
(Species 2) |
| Birth date |
young hatch in May |
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| Nursing/feeding by parent(s) |
parents feed only in nest through July |
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| Eating solid food |
food is regurgitated at first, then brought whole |
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| Feeding oneself with fingers/flippers/beak |
after fledging (July) the young must learn to feed |
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| First crawling/flying/swimming |
young fly out of the nest (fledge) in June/July |
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| Walking/flying/swimming without parent |
when they fledge |
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| Prepare/catch food for oneself |
as soon as they leave the nest - many die |
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(Seal's Lullaby
is song #8 on the Salish Sea CD - See page 18 for Music activities)
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