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Activity

Pet cat demonstration

Summary: 
Pet cat wanders the classroom, while class discusses what kind of animal she is, her adaptations and survival.
Science content (2016 curriculum): 
Biology: Features, Adaptations of Living Things (K, 1, 3, 7)
Biology: Classification of Living Things, Biodiversity (1, 3)
Biology: Life Cycles (2)
Biology: Sensing, Organ Systems (4, 5, 6)
Materials: 
  • Pet cat comfortable with people
  • Classroom that can be secured closed
  • Pet treats
    Procedure: 

    1. The cat wanders the classroom, during discussion of topics below

    CLASSIFICATION
    She is a mammal: Gives birth to live babies. Feeds her babies her milk.
    She is a carnivore.
    Similarities and differences between Maggie and other animals (tigers, lions, other wild cats)

    LIFE CYCLE
    Maggie is an adult, 4.5 years old.
    That is like a human being 34 years old
    (1 human year is 15 cat years, 2 human years is 24 cat years, 3 human years is 28 cat years… plus 4 for each year).

    BEHAVIOUR
    Hissing and bushy tail = fighting
    Purring = happy
    Upright tail = friendly
    Flicking tail and ears back = annoyed, stay away
    Ears forward = interested

    SURVIVAL
    What does Maggie need for survival? She has it pretty good: food, water, shelter.
    What about wild cats?

    2. Students sit in a circle and take turns to either pet her or feed her a treat.

    Grades taught: 
    Gr 1
    Gr 2
    Teacher: 
    Julie Johnson
    Stephanie Monaghan
    Teaching site: 
    General Gordon Elementary