Goal
To initiate the understanding that we share our natural and urban environments with wild animals.
Content
Children may already be aware that there are critters in their yards at night, but do they understand that we share these spaces with them? This lesson will introduce students to some of the common nocturnal animals who may scavenge their yards for food and use their surroundings for shelter. In this unit:
- Children will gain an understanding about sharing our environments with wild animals.
- Children will begin to learn what urban wildlife needs to stay healthy and safe.
- Children will begin to develop empathy for these animals by realizing that animals need many of the same basic things that children do.
- Children will begin to learn how to keep themselves, domestic pets, and wild animals safe.
Click here to view California Standards Alignment.
Next: Lessons & Videos Mow Wow Glossary
Click here to download a worksheet for students to use some of the Glossary words to fill in blanks in sentences.
- cub – a young raccoon.
- den – a hole, cave, or covered area where animals live.
- environment – the place and situation surrounding us and that we are part of.
- fertilizer – chemicals used on plants to stimulate growth, often toxic to soil and animals.
- forage – to look for food or provisions.
- hibernate – to sleep for long periods of time, usually in the winter.
- injured – hurt.
- kit, kittens – baby raccoon, baby raccoons. Kittens are also baby cats.
- mammal – an animal who has fur or hair and is warm-blooded.
- omnivore – an animal who eats both animals and plants.
- pesticide – a poison or toxin that is used to kill insects.
- shelter – a place giving safety; a home.
- toxin – something poisonous that could make animals and people very sick.
- veterinarian – an animal doctor.
Suggested Online Resources
Suggested Books
Where the Wild Things Are, Maurice Sendak
Note: This book is also available in Spanish.
Heinemann Classroom Series: What’s Awake?
Raccoons, Patricia Whitehouse
Coyotes, Patricia Whitehouse
Bats, Patricia Whitehouse
Skunks, Patricia Whitehouse
Foxes, Louise Spilsbury
Barn Owls, Patricia Whitehouse
Rats, Patricia Whitehouse
Opossums, Patricia Whitehouse
Note: For Spanish titles, the series is called ¿Qué está despierto? All the titles are available in Spanish.
Next: Unit 3 - Animals We Call Pets