I want to bring learning to life in my classroom. I'm currently reading a book called, "Poppy (by Avi)," to my students. The story features a mouse and an owl who are at odds. Owl pellets are mentioned in the story and I want kids to experience owl pellet dissection.
I teach at a K-8 school in rural Oregon, and have 29 students in my classroom.
My students are diverse, ranging from homeless to living on a farm with animals. Four of my 29 students take backpacks full of food home every weekend to help their families make it through the days that free school breakfasts and lunches aren't available.
My Project
My students are hungry to learn. They are loving the Dimwood Forest series by Avi, and having the chance to dissect an owl pellet will help cement this reading experience in their minds. It will build a connection between the text and science, and the text and a real life experience.
Students will be allowed to dissect an owl pellet during class. They will have the opportunity to look for rodent bones and teeth, and match them to an identification key. They will learn about the relationship between owls and rodents and how to sort bones.
This project is fun!
I'm looking for a way to make reading memories with kids. They will forever remember the pellet dissection and the story that was read to them (Poppy).
It is my hope that this activity will light a fire in my young readers and encourage them to read, read, read. Having their own book and the dissection experience should make reading very interesting.
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