Summary Pet cat wanders the classroom, while class discusses what kind of animal she is, her adaptations and survival. Science content 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
