Introduction: What's Fuzzy and Warm? (5 mins)

Let's talk about some amazing animals! Look at these pictures (show dog, cat, human). What do you notice that's the same about them? Do they have hair or fur? Do they feel warm or cold if you touch them? Today, we're going on an adventure to learn about a special group of animals called MAMMALS!

Explore: Super Mammal Powers! (10 mins)

Mammals have special characteristics, like superpowers! Let's learn them:

• Hair or Fur: Almost all mammals have hair or fur on their bodies at some point. Can you point to your hair? Even whales have a little bit! Fur keeps them warm.
• Warm-Blooded: Mammals make their own body heat. They stay warm even when it's cold outside! We are warm-blooded too. Reptiles like snakes need the sun to warm up.
• Live Babies: Most mammal moms grow their babies inside their bodies and then the babies are born live (not hatched from eggs like birds or reptiles).
• Milk for Babies: Mammal moms make milk to feed their babies. It helps the babies grow big and strong!

Activity: Mammal Sort! (15 mins)

Now, let's be scientists! We have a pile of animal pictures. Let's make two labels on our big paper: 'Mammals' and 'Not Mammals'. Look at each picture. Does it have fur? Is it likely warm-blooded? Do its babies drink milk? Decide if it's a mammal or not, and glue/tape it under the correct label. Let's talk about why you put each animal where you did!

(Guide the student through sorting the provided animal cards, discussing the characteristics for each one.)

Activity: Draw Your Favorite Mammal! (10 mins)

Think about all the mammals we talked about (dogs, cats, bears, monkeys, whales, bats, humans!). Choose your favorite one and draw a picture of it. Can you label one of its mammal characteristics, like pointing an arrow to its fur?

Wrap-up: Mammal Master! (5 mins)

Great job today! Can you tell me three things that make an animal a mammal? (Prompt: Fur/hair, warm-blooded, live babies, milk). Can you name three mammals we sorted today? You're becoming a mammal expert!

Optional Extension:

We could watch a short video about bats (flying mammals!) or read a story about bears.