| Learning Objectives/Lesson Goals | Students will gain an understanding of animal interaction and the role of camouflage in the dynamics of an ecosystem. |
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| WHERE | Outside |
| WHO | Classroom Volunteers |
| MATERIALS | - 3” pieces of yarn in six colors: brown, red, orange, green, blue, white; 30 pieces each
- Four orange safety cones
- baskets
- Pictures of animal camouflage
- Stop watch
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| ACTIVITIES | - Take the group up to the field area
- Mark a clear area of grass with safety cones, at least 6 m (20 ft.) square.
- While students aren't watching, distribute the pieces of yarn that are orange, red, or white evenly inside the area marked by the safety cones.
- Have students gather around the outside of the marked area and discuss the difference in colors. Can they spot some colors easier than others?
- Explain that they are hungry animals, and the yarn is food.
- Tell them that they will need to go hunt. They will be timed to see how long it takes them to gather the food. They can only pick up one piece of food at a time and then return it to the basket with the same color yarn.
- After the hunt is over, ask them how they felt as hunters. Which color was the easiest to “catch” or which was the hardest.
- Repeat the activity with the blue, green and brown yarn and time the collection time.
- Ask the students if it was easier to find the second group of yarn that blends in or the bright colored yarn.
- At the end of the session, show the students the pictures of different camouflaged animals and tell them that many animals use camouflage to help them hide and their coats can change from brown to white in summer to winter.
- If time permits, play again for a better collection time.
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| Adapted from
Sea World’s Arctic Animals K-3 Teacher’s Guide |
