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Description
This resource helps introduce students to the concepts of food chains, predation, and adaptation through the fascinating world of owls. It provides teachers with background information to explore animal adaptations and behaviours using owls as a model species. Through a variety of outdoor activities, students will learn about key ecological concepts, including food chains, predator-prey relationships, and adaptive traits.
Students will
- assume the roles of predator (owl) or prey (mice or another prey species chosen by the class). By playing several rounds of kick-the-can, students will model predator-prey interactions and deepen their understanding of owl biology and ecosystem dynamics
- play owls and crows, this activity is inspired by the natural interactions between owls and crows—two species active at different times of day that respond aggressively when they meet. Students play a true-or-false running game, moving toward different sides of the area based on their answers, where they try to tag opponents or reach their “nest” safely
- owls have exceptional hearing that allows them to detect and capture prey moving beneath the snow, leaving behind distinctive wing-shaped prints. In this activity, students create their own “snow owls” by making owl-shaped impressions in the snow and then write a story to accompany their print—told from both the predator’s and the prey’s perspectives
- use natural materials to create an owl mosaic. This can be done as a class working together to make one owl, or individually or in small groups each making their own owl. Go on a short walk together to collect the materials needed to make the owl
Each activity is designed to stand alone, allowing you to select the ones that best align with your classroom goals and schedule.
General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
This resource is best suited for the elementary science curriculum. The information and activities are designed for grades K–4, with specific curriculum connections and learning outcomes provided within the resource and review.
Relevant Curriculum Units
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- Alberta
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- Science
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- Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened by investigating natural systems and their interactions.
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- Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions
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- Science: Daily and seasonal changes affect all living things.
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- Yukon Territory
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- Kindergarten
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- Science: Daily and seasonal changes affect all living things.
- Science: Plants and animals have observable features
- Grade 1
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 1: Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- 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
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 4: All living things sense and respond to their environment
Themes Addressed
Ecosystems (3)
- Appreciating the Natural World
- Biodiversity
- Interdependence
