Format
1.This program begins with an interactive PowerPoint
2.Discuss river otter adaptations
3.Assemble whiskers
4.Demonstrate different layers of otter fur
5.See live river otters!
5.Time is allowed for questions and answers
Objectives
The participants will:
-Explore river otter adaptations
-Engage in a discussion about how river otter adaptations help them survive in their environment
-Compare river otter adaptations to tools used by humans
-Describe ways to keep waterways clean and help protect the North American River Otter
Standards Alignment
National Standards
National Science Standards
NS.K-4.1 SCIENCE AS INQUIRY
As a result of activities in grades K-4, all students should develop:
Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
Understanding about scientific inquiry
NS.K-4.3 LIFE SCIENCE
As a result of activities in grades K-4, all students should develop understanding of:
The characteristics of organisms
Organisms and environments
State Standards
Texas Science Standards
Pre-Kindergarten:
VI.B.1 Child identifies and describes the characteristics of organisms.
VI.B.3 Child recognizes, observes, and discusses the relationship of organisms to their environments.
Kindergarten:
K.2 A Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student develops abilities to ask questions and seek answers in classroom and outdoor investigations. The student is expected to ask questions about organisms, objects, and events observed in the natural world.
K.2 B Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student develops abilities to ask questions and seek answers in classroom and outdoor investigations. The student is expected to plan and conduct simple descriptive investigations such as ways objects move.
K.2 E Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student develops abilities to ask questions and seek answers in classroom and outdoor investigations. The student is expected to communicate observations with others about simple descriptive investigations.
K.10 B Organisms and environments. The student knows that organisms resemble their parents and have structures and processes that help them survive within their environments. The student is expected to identify parts of plants such as roots, stem, and leaves and parts of animals such as head, eyes, and limbs.
1st Grade:
1.2 A Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student develops abilities to ask questions and seek answers in classroom and outdoor investigations. The student is expected to ask questions about organisms, objects, and events observed in the natural world.
1.2 E Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student develops abilities to ask questions and seek answers in classroom and outdoor investigations. The student is expected to communicate observations and provide reasons for explanations using student-generated data from simple descriptive investigations.
1.10 A Organisms and environments. The student knows that organisms resemble their parents and have structures and processes that help them survive within their environments. The student is expected to investigate how the external characteristics of an animal are related to where it lives, how it moves, and what it eats.
2nd Grade:
2.2 A Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student develops abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry in classroom and outdoor investigations. The student is expected to ask questions about organisms, objects, and events during observations and investigations.
2.2 E Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student develops abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry in classroom and outdoor investigations. The student is expected to communicate observations and justify explanations using student-generated data from simple descriptive investigations.
2.10 A Organisms and environments. The student knows that organisms resemble their parents and have structures and processes that help them survive within their environments. The student is expected to observe, record, and compare how the physical characteristics and behaviors of animals help them meet their basic needs such as fins help fish move and balance in the water.