Suggested Project WILD Activities

Bird Lips!?

Activities are available through our Project WILD workshops.

Adaptation Artistry – Students design and create imaginary birds and write reports including descriptions of the birds' adaptations. Upon completion students identify and describe the advantages of bird adaptations and evaluate the importance of adaptations to birds. Requires drawing paper, painting, clay sculpture or papier-mache' materials; construction paper and glue; and pencil and paper.

Interview a Spider – Students use interview techniques, research and writing to develop natural history information about wildlife species. Upon completion students generalize that wildlife ranges in size and occurs in a variety of forms, colors and adaptations. Requires writing and research materials.

Owl Pellets – Students examine owl pellets, reconstruct skeletons, and identify skeletons and prey of owls. Upon completion students construct simple food chains. Requires owl pellets; dissecting tools (toothpicks work well); poster board; glue; small animal skeleton diagrams and skull guide. Optional hand lenses or magnifying glasses; gloves.

Quick Frozen Critters (Quick Freeze Prairie Dogs) – Students play an active version of "freeze tag". Upon completion students discuss predator/prey relationships, including adaptations; describe the importance of adaptations in predator/prey relationships; and recognize that limiting factors - including predator/prey relationships - affect wildlife populations. Requires food tokens (3 per student); gym vests or labeling devices to mark predators; four or five hula hoops or jump ropes to serve as "cover" markers; pencil and paper to record number of captures (if desired).

Which Niche? – Students compare ecological niches with careers in their community. Upon completion students define ecological niche; and give at least one example of an animal and its niche. Requires guest speaker; research materials.

March Munchers (Aquatic) – Students use body movement and pantomime to simulate the feeding motions of marsh animals. Upon completion students identify components of a food web in a salt march; and identify their interconnectedness in the food web. Requires timer; construction paper for tokens; predator feeding behavior cards; detritus eater cards; and one envelope per student.