Animals with an internal skeleton made of bone are called vertebrates. There are over 85,000 vertebrate species, all classified into five groups: fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The defining characteristic of all vertebrates is the backbone. The backbone extends through the core of the body and allows a vertebrate to hold its shape. The … Read more…

A “sense of place” refers to a child’s connection with their community and natural environment. A sense of place is developed with a place-based education approach that fosters those connections. Place-based education immerses children in their local community, landscapes, heritage, and experiences. It is using the local natural and human world to learn science, social … Read more…

Help your children become wildlife scientists! Lead your students on a walk in the neighborhood around your school or building or a nearby park to look for wildlife. Tell your children that they are using their eyes and ears to watch and listen for any signs of animal life (animal movement, calls, tracks, tunnels, droppings, … Read more…

Fall is a great time to investigate leaves! They crunch underfoot and amaze us with their transforming colors. Leaves come in many different shapes, sizes and in the fall, colors! Begin by holding up a leaf and asking the children what it is and where it came from. Pass the leaf around and ask what … Read more…

Fall is a perfect time to explore where the squirrels and birds live within the tree branches.  Ask the children to describe their homes. What materials make up your house? What rooms do you have in your house? What do you do in your house? Where do you eat and sleep? Do you have a … Read more…

It’s time to explore the fascinating world of ants! Did you know there are more than 12,000 species of ants in the world? They live on almost every landmass on Earth except Antarctica and a few small islands. Ants live in complex social groups called colonies. They have a four stage life cycle consisting of … Read more…

A healthy world ocean is critical to our survival, but you don’t have to live near a teaming ocean to show how important all water is for every living thing. Help your children get their feet wet on a local level with a pond study. When children use a hand lens or magnifying glass to … Read more…

Over the summer, all across the country families will be building a fort in their house, camping out in their backyards or area campgrounds as part of the Great American Campout! Explore the wonderful world of camping with young children either as a family or in your classroom. For families: Join the Great American Campout … Read more…

A field study plot is an area set aside for making observations over time. By observing a particular plot of ground, scientists can learn about how the plants in the plot grow, what animals use those plants, and other valuable information about the area. In a small field study plot the most common animals you … Read more…

Children play a game of hide and seek to learn about important adaptations in many wild animals. One adaptation that many animals have is some type of camouflage that helps them survive in their surroundings. The environment that an animal lives in is often the most important factor to what the camouflage looks like and … Read more…

All birds have beaks that they use for grasping and eating food. Bird beaks come in all shapes and sizes which enable them to eat certain kinds of foods. Seed and nut eaters usually have short, thick beaks for cracking open seeds. Nectar feeders have long slender beaks for reaching into flowers. Other birds have … Read more…

Cold temperatures and snow make it more of a challenge to get kids outside. Getting outside during the winter months can be well worth the effort. Remember to dress yourself in layers to set a good example for you students and children. Help your students learn that there is no such thing as bad weather … Read more…

The animal symbol is one of the most prevalent images in myths, traditions, and religious cultures worldwide. Many cultures through the ages have regarded specific animals as representing power, the supernatural, and a way to express ideas and feelings. Most countries also have wildlife incorporated as their national symbol. For example, the bald eagle is … Read more…

An owl pellet is a dense mass of indigestible food that an owl coughs up after digesting a meal. Owls are predators and eat small mammals, birds, and reptiles. Owl pellets may contain bones, fur, and feathers. They offer a wonderful look at what owls in general eat as well as an intimate look at … Read more…

All plants and animals – whether wild or domestic – need certain ‘things’ to survive. Every living thing has its own unique basic needs of food, water, shelter, space, and all in a specific arrangement. Habitat is the combination of the necessary food, water, shelter, and space. Have you ever wondered why you see certain … Read more…

In a Grasshopper’s World For this activity you will explore the fascinating world of grasshoppers with young children! Grasshoppers are insects. They have six legs, two of which are long and muscular and used for hopping. Grasshoppers have three main body parts: head, thorax, and abdomen. They also have two antennae. Begin by asking children if … Read more…

It is that time of year again – back to school time! As children are picking out new backpacks and sneakers, teachers are preparing themselves and their classrooms for another year filled with growing and learning. This year, as you are preparing your classroom, try to incorporate nature into the overall design and layout of … Read more…

The Growing Up WILD activity “Lunch for a Bear” has been adapted to Iowa’s largest resident omnivore, the coyote. Omnivores are the most flexible eaters of the animal kingdom. They eat both plants and animals, and many times what they eat depends on where they live and what is available at certain times of the … Read more…

Here fishy-fishy! Begin by asking children if they have ever gone fishing? Where did they go and what did they do? What do people use to catch fish?  Where do fish live? Have they ever eaten fish? Create a mock fishing lake for children to go fishing in the classroom. Create paper or cardboard fish. … Read more…

Explore the fascinating world of worms! “Earthworm” is a general term used to describe many different species of worms that live in the soil. While they do not have an obvious head or tail you can identify the head by which way the worm crawls. Did you know that worms absorb oxygen through their skin? … Read more…