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Snow Fleas

Elementary, Middle

Description

This simple activity serves as an excellent companion to the Late February Nature Guide and offers teachers an easy and enjoyable means of getting students outside in winter.  It provides suggestions for organizing a successful search for snowfleas/springtails that include helpful hints as to the best times and locations to find and observe these active winter insects in the school yard.

While written for use in primary grades, the activity itself will be of interest to older students as well.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

This is an activity that can be repeated on a number of occasions throughout the winter when snow and temperature conditions are favourable. 

The study of active winter insects provides an authentic learning experience to support science outcomes in grades K-2. In Science 6, teachers could introduce the use of a simple dichotomous key to help students identify the insects they uncover and chronicle the diversity of insect life, even in depths of winter!

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

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  • Alberta
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    • Grade 1
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions.
  • British Columbia
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    • Kindergarten
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science: Plants and animals have observable features
    • Grade 2
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 2: Living things have life cycles adapted to their environment
    • Grade 3
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 3: Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems
  • Manitoba
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      • Science
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        • Daily and Seasonal Changes
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      • Science
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        • Growth and Changes in Animals
  • New Brunswick
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    • Grade 1
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      • Health Education
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        • Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
      • Science
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        • Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
      • Social Studies
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        • Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
  • Newfoundland & Labrador
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      • Science
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        • Daily & Seasonal Changes
    • Grade 2
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Animal Growth and Changes
  • Northwest Territories
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    • Grade 1
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Science: Growth and Changes in Animals
  • Nova Scotia
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    • Grade 1
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 1:Daily & Seasonal Change
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      • Science
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        • Science 2: Animal Growth
    • Grade 6
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  • Nunavut
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  • Ontario
  • Prince Edward Island
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    • Kindergarten
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Exploring the World Using Our Senses
    • Grade 1
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Daily and Seasonal Changes
    • Grade 2
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Animal Growth and Changes:Investigating the Needs and Life Cycles of an Organism
  • Saskatchewan
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    • Grade 1
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Daily and Seasonal Changes
    • Grade 2
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Animal Growth and Changes
  • Yukon Territory
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    • Kindergarten
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science: Plants and animals have observable features
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 2: Living things have life cycles adapted to their environment
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 3: Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems

Themes Addressed

Ecosystems (2)

  • Appreciating the Natural World
  • Biodiversity