Activities from S3ETS Session 3

  1. Newsprint activity: Which organisms have a survival advantage?
  • Our “habitat” is a sheet of newsprint. Our organisms are hole-punched circles of white paper and newsprint. Let’s see how a predator can affect a population.
  • Give each team a half sheet of newsprint. Some should be plain (want ads, notices, etc.) others should have color photos as at least part of the print.
  • Give each team hole punched circles – 20 from newsprint, 20 from plain white paper.
  • Spread the 40 circles onto the newsprint. Now a predator comes along. Use tweezers to pick up as many of the circles as possible in 10 seconds. (You can have one student do this, or several – add more circles for more students)
  • Call time. Students discard the circles they picked off the paper. They then pair up the circles (by color) that remain on the newspaper. Add one extra circle of that color for each pair. Non-paired or odd paired (one white, one newsprint) do NOT get an extra circle.
  • Repeat the drop and tweeze activity once more. Pair and add the extra circles.
  • If this goes as it should, the newsprint circles should be more abundant after only 2 rounds. This is because they have an “adaptation” of camouflage that protects them from predators (the tweezers).
  • You can also try spreading the circles onto a piece of white paper for a different outcome.
  • How did the different types of newsprint change the outcome? The white paper?
  • From our core: this is how animals with one variation would have a survival advantage in a particular environment.
  1. Environmental change and arguing from evidence: What would survive?
  • Give student groups a large sheet of paper. Have them divide it into three sections.
  • Give them the sets of animal cards with the descriptions. Explain that some of these animals could live in the same environment while others need a different environment. Students should work together to determine three groups of animals, each with a distinct environment in which it fits. Note: There is one duplicated card. This animal can live in two different environments. Do not reveal this to students. Let them work through what to do with the extra card. Just assure them that it is supposed to be there. Students should use the information on the card to inform their choices. Argue from evidence within their group. Possible sentence frames: “I think the _animal___ belongs in the __environment__ because __evidence from card__ . “I agree because __more evidence from card__. (or I disagree because…) Encourage students to describe the animals’ specialized structures and behaviors that allow it to live in a particular environment. Use the appropriate science words for Standard 5 – Heredity.
  • Once students have divided the cards, have them describe the environment they believe the animals belong to. They should include information about climate, water, land, and plants that might be found in that environment. Once again, argue from evidence. The most likely environments are listed below. We are using desert, wetland and forest as they have prior knowledge from 4th grade about these particular environments.

Desert environment – burrowing owl, coyote, jackrabbit, rattlesnake, desert tortoise

Wetland environment – catfish, mallard duck, American kestrel, muskrat, leopard frog

Forest environment – porcupine, black chinned hummingbird, rattlesnake, flying squirrel, elk

A brief description of each environment is given below.

  • Each group is assigned one of the environments.
  • Next, students select a change card at random.
  • Together, they determine which of the animals in environment would be likely to survive such a change and which would not. Once again, encourage them to explore which of the animals’ physical, structural and behavioral adaptations would aid in their survival. Use evidence on the cards.
  • As a whole class, have students present their work and defend their choices.

Environment Information

Desert
  • Between 5 and 10 inches of water per year
  • Summer temperatures 60 - 110° F. Winter temperatures 0 - 60° F.
  • Sandy, rocky soil
  • Less biodiversity, fewer plants/animals overall

Forest
  • Between 30 and 50 inches of water per year
  • Summer temperatures 30 - 80° F. Winter temperatures 0 - 40° F.
  • Rich, dark soil with lots of organic matter
  • More diverse than deserts, less diverse than wetlands

Wetland (Jordan River)
  • Between 10 and 20 inches of water per year
  • Summer temperatures 60 - 105° F. Winter temperatures 0 - 50° F.
  • Mixed soils, rocky, muddy
  • High diversity, especially in non-urban stretches

Desert Animals

Burrowing Owl / The burrowing owl breeds in southwestern Canada, the western United States, northern Mexico, Florida, and parts of the West Indies. It winters from the southwestern United States to Honduras, northern populations being migratory. In Utah, it is uncommon during summer in proper habitat throughout the state. Its habitats are open grassland and prairies, but it also utilizes other open situations, such as golf courses, cemeteries, and airports. It eats mainly terrestrial invertebrates, but also consumes a variety of small vertebrates, including small mammals, birds, frogs, toads, lizards, and snakes.The nest is in a mammal burrow, usually that of a prairie dog, ground squirrel, badger, or armadillo; owls will sometimes excavate their own nest burrow. Three to eleven eggs are incubated by the female parent. The young are tended by both parents and fledge after about 40 to 45 days.
Coyote / Coyotes now occurs throughout most of North America, as well as in parts of Latin America. The range of the coyote has greatly expanded in recent years as habitats have been altered and wolves have been eliminated from many areas. Coyotes are common in Utah, occurring in open deserts, grasslands, forests, urban settings, and other habitats. Female coyotes may produce one litter of four to seven pups during the spring. The young are typically born in earthen dens, where they remain for eight to ten weeks. Both parents tend to the pups until fall, when the young leave the family and head off on their own. Coyotes are opportunistic feeders that mainly consume small animals and carrion (animals already dead), although plant material is occasionally consumed. Coyotes are active yearround and are primarily nocturnal.
White tailed jackrabbit / The white tailed jackrabbit is the largest of the hares, growing up to 26 inches and weighing up to nine pounds. In summer, this jackrabbit is a light brownish gray over the back and sides, lighter on the belly. The tail is completely white. In winter, the entire body is usually white, except the tips of the ears and top of the head which are grizzled gray or black. In some areas, it may not turn completely white. This species inhabits mountains, foothills, and valley areas in northern Utah. It is restricted to higher mountain areas in southern Utah. It is generally found in open areas, even when found at high elevations. It eats forbs, grasses, and the bark and twigs of many shrubs and trees. This species bares several litters of three to six young during warmer months of the year.
Great Basin rattlesnake / The Great Basin rattlesnake is found in much of western Utah, where it occurs in a variety of habitats ranging from prairie and desert areas to open mountain forests. This species is primarily found on the ground, but will occasionally climb into trees and shrubs. During periods of cold weather, Great Basin rattlesnakes occupy mammal burrows, crevices, and caves, where they become inactive. The Great Basin rattlesnake is livebearing; females give birth to approximately four to twelve young in the late summer or fall. The diet of this species consists of small mammals, birds, lizards, and occasionally amphibians. Prey are subdued by injecting venom through large hollow fangs at the front of the upper jaw. Great Basin rattlesnakes are typically light tan, yellowish, or light gray in color, with dark blotches on their backs.
Desert tortoise / Utah's Beaver Dam Slope population of desert tortoise is listed as threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Within its range, the desert tortoise can be found near water in deserts, semi arid grasslands, canyon bottoms, and rocky hillsides. Desert tortoises often construct burrows in compacted sandy or gravelly soil. Females nest under a large shrub or at the mouth of a burrow, and lay one to three clutches of two to fourteen eggs from May to July; eggs hatch in late summer or fall. Burrows, which may contain many tortoises at once, are used for hibernation during cold winter months. The typical diet of the desert tortoise consists of perennial grasses, cacti, shrubs, and other plant material.

Wetland Animals

Channel catfish / The channel catfish,is a popular sport fish that is currently found in many of Utah's warmer waters, such as Utah Lake, but is not native to the state. The channel catfish is native to many areas of North America east of the Rocky Mountains. Channel catfish eat many types of foods, including plant matter, detritus, and a large variety of invertebrates, although adult fish are primarily piscivorous (they eat fish). The species spawns in late spring and summer, with eggs hatching in about one week. Eggs are guarded by the males, who also guard young fish after hatching.
Wood duck / The wood duck breeds in scattered areas across the United States, southern Canada, and Cuba. Northern populations migrate south for the winter, and major wintering areas include California and the southern United States. The species occurs yearround in Utah, although it is more common in the state during winter. Wood ducks prefer marshes and ponds near woodlands, and are especially fond of flooded forests. The wood duck is a cavity nester that typically nests in hollow trees or manmade nest boxes; nests are almost always near water. Nine to fifteen eggs are laid and incubated by the female alone. Wood ducks often lay their eggs in the nests of other females, so some nests may contain thirty or more eggs. Young are able to fly at about nine weeks of age. Wood ducks eat primarily plant material during the winter, and insects during the spring and summer.
American kestrel / The American kestrel breeds throughout much of North America. Some populations migrate south, but breeding pairs farther south may remain together in the same area year round. In Utah, this is a common species found statewide at all times of the year. American kestrels are usually found in open habitats, such as prairies, deserts, wooded streams, and farmlands. Nests are made in natural holes in trees, abandoned woodpecker holes, cliffs, and nestboxes. Usually four or five eggs are laid and incubated for 29 to 31 days. Young are tended by both parents and leave the nest about 29 to 31 days after hatching. In summer, American kestrels feed mainly on insects, especially grasshoppers and crickets, and small vertebrates. During the winter, its foods are mainly birds and mice. American kestrels often hover while foraging, and are frequently seen using this technique along highways.
/ The muskrat is a large rodent that spends much of its time in the water. Muskrats are native to most of the United States, almost all of Canada, and a small area of northern Mexico. In addition, the species has been introduced to areas of Europe and Asia. In Utah, muskrats are common throughout the state in marshes, ponds, and other areas with shallow, slowmoving vegetated water. Muskrats primarily feed on aquatic plants, but mollusks, fishes, and upland vegetation are also consumed. Breeding occurs in the spring and summer, with females capable of producing several litters of one to twelve offspring each year. Muskrats are active throughout the year, and are primarily nocturnal, although daytime activity is not unusual. Muskrats are trapped for their fur throughout much of their range.
Leopard frog / The northern leopard frog is found throughout much of southern Canada, as well as in the northern, Rocky Mountain, and Intermountain areas of the United States. The northern leopard frog is fairly common in Utah, but some reports indicate that its numbers may be declining. This frog occurs in a variety of aquatic habitats, particularly near cattails and other aquatic vegetation, but it may be found foraging relatively far from water. During cold winter months, this species is inactive, and takes cover underwater or in damp burrows. Females lay eggs in the spring, typically on vegetation just below the surface of the water in areas exposed to sunlight. Adult northern leopard frogs eat a variety of small invertebrates, whereas tadpoles of the species generally eat algae, organic debris, and small invertebrates. The northern leopard frog is a slim, longlegged frog with a green or brownish colored back that has dark oval or round spots. The bellies of northern leopard frogs are white or cream colored.

Forest Animals

/ The North American porcupine is a large rodent that is common in Utah, where it prefers coniferous forest and mixed forest areas, although it may also be found in riparian zones, deserts, and shrub land habitats. Porcupine dens may be found in hollow trees, logs, and small caves. The porcupine is active throughout the year and is mainly nocturnal, but is often visible during the day. Females may give birth to one young in late spring. The porcupine eats bark, roots, berries, buds, fruits, leaves, and other plant material. The needles and bark of coniferous trees are often consumed during the winter. Porcupines are covered in sharp spines, or quills, that are used for protection from predators. Quills usually lay flat against the body, but may be raised when danger is near. Quills are loosely attached to the body and may detach from the porcupine and lodge into a predator if touched.

Black chinned hummingbird / The black chinned hummingbird is a common hummingbird in Utah, occurring statewide at low and mid elevations. It is found across the western United States, often in dry habitats, during warm months, and it migrates south to Mexico for winter. The black chinned hummingbird feeds on nectar and captures insects and spiders.They nest in canyons along stream beds. Females construct nests that are usually saddled on a small limb and are composed of plant down bound together with spider silk. Two eggs are laid in early April and incubated for 13 to 16 days. Young leave the nest after 21 days. The female often produces a second brood and sometimes even a third.
Great Basin rattlesnake / The Great Basin rattlesnake is found in much of western Utah, where it occurs in a variety of habitats ranging from prairie and desert areas to open mountain forests. This species is primarily found on the ground, but will occasionally climb into trees and shrubs. During periods of cold weather, Great Basin rattlesnakes occupy mammal burrows, crevices, and caves, where they become inactive. The Great Basin rattlesnake is livebearing; females give birth to approximately four to twelve young in the late summer or fall. The diet of this species consists of small mammals, birds, lizards, and occasionally amphibians. Prey are subdued by injecting venom through large hollow fangs at the front of the upper jaw. Great Basin rattlesnakes are typically light tan, yellowish, or light gray in color, with dark blotches on their backs.
Flying squirrel / The northern flying squirrel occurs in part of Alaska, across most of Canada, in parts of the eastern and western United States, and in the Great Lakes region of the United States. The species occurs in many of Utah's mountainous areas, primarily in mature coniferous forests and riparian zones. Females may produce one or two litters of two to six young during spring and summer each year. Northern flying squirrels eat fungi and lichens, as well as nuts, seeds, insects, and fruits. Nests are usually constructed inside hollow trees, but are sometimes constructed on tree branches. The species is nocturnal and active throughout the year. Northern flying squirrels cannot fly, but they can use the loose folds of skin on their sides to glide from tree to tree.
Elk / The elk is native to North America. Elk are common in most mountainous regions of Utah, where they can be found in mountain meadows and forests during the summer, and in foothills and valley grasslands during the winter. This helps the elk avoid deep snow and find food yearround. Elk may be active during both day and night, but most activity occurs at dusk and dawn. Dominant males gather and protect harems of females during the breeding season, which occurs in the fall of each year. During this time, males emit loud sounds, called bugles, which keep the females in a group and warn other males to stay away from them. Females typically give birth to one (sometimes two) calves in the late spring. Elk are grazers, primarily eating grasses, but forbs, woody plants, and mushrooms may also be consumed.

Change Cards