Objective
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand the importance of hair in mammals and its role in their survival.
Materials and Prep
- Mirror
- Printed pictures of different mammals
- Whiteboard or chart paper
- Markers or colored pencils
Before the lesson, gather the materials and print out pictures of various mammals with different types of hair.
Activities
- Introduction: Show the printed pictures of mammals to the student and discuss the different types of hair they have. Ask the student to observe their own hair in a mirror and compare it to the hair of the mammals.
- Classifying Mammals: Create a chart on the whiteboard or chart paper with two columns labeled "Fur" and "No Fur." Ask the student to categorize the printed pictures of mammals into the appropriate column based on their hair type.
- Discussion: Facilitate a conversation about the importance of hair in mammals. Ask the student questions such as:
- Why do you think mammals have hair?
- What do you think hair helps mammals do?
- How does hair protect mammals?
- Can you think of any mammals that rely on their hair for survival?
- Art Activity: Provide the student with markers or colored pencils and ask them to draw a picture of their favorite mammal, focusing on its hair. Encourage them to be creative and include details about how the hair helps the mammal in its environment.
Third Grade Talking Points
- "Mammals are a group of animals that have hair or fur."
- "Hair helps mammals stay warm in cold environments."
- "Some mammals use their hair to camouflage and blend in with their surroundings."
- "Hair can also serve as protection by making mammals look bigger or more intimidating to predators."
- "Certain mammals, like polar bears, have thick hair that helps them survive in their icy habitats."
- "Hair can be different colors, lengths, and textures, depending on the mammal's needs."
- "Some mammals shed their hair and grow new hair as the seasons change."
- "Hair is an important characteristic that helps us identify different types of mammals."