Science and Snack Time Idea for ECE about Springtime Animals

Woolly Sheep

Springtime is a great time at any age level to learn about animals' body parts, baby animals, names of parents vs baby animals, etc. My maternal grandparents had sheep for many years. My mom's childhood stories don't include much about the sheep but more about disasters in the chicken coop instead! You would think there was some childhood trauma involved about her recall of crossing paths with a snake on one occasion and a dead opossum at another time!!! Oh, the drama in her storytelling! 

Sheep or lamb? Hoof, claw, or foot?

Get children excited with discussions about names of parents vs offspring in the animal kingdom with a tasty snack:

*jumbo marshmallow

*mini marshmallows

*pretzel sticks

*raisins

*honey (acts as the glue)

*Honey Nut puff cereal or Cheerios to give texture 

This is a messy yet yummy snack once it is assembled.

For upper elementary, this could be a lesson opener or could be a closure activity after a chapter test is completed. 

If this science snack is at the start of the chapter/unit, the teacher could be using chart paper or typing in an open document visible on the Smart Board showing columns to compare different body parts of animals:

feet vs hooves vs claws/talons vs _________

beaks/bills vs mouths vs ________

noses vs snouts vs _________

gills vs lungs vs ______________

tails vs no tails

and so on

Stay tuned for more science ideas to engage students' attention and involvement. 

For Science Grades 6 to 8 from USA Heartland blog,

Becca S

B. S. Secondary Education-Home Economics; certified FACS grades 6-12 in Illinois; approval for general science in grades 5-8; pending approval ECE endorsement

M. Ed. Elementary Education-Early Childhood Education;