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Classroom Programs for 3rd Grade

Seven Sleepers
Groundhog by Dave CooneyVery few of the mammals in our region hibernate. Learn which ones do, and which ones don’t. Learn how the non-hibernators survive winter.

  • NY 5.2e Particular animal characteristics are influenced by changing environmental conditions including: fat storage in winter, coat thickness in winter, camouflage, shedding of fur.
  • NY 5.2f Some animal behaviors are influenced by environmental conditions. These behaviors may include: nest building, hibernating, hunting, migrating, and communicating.
  • PA B 3.3.4 A.1 Identify life processes of living things (e.g. growth, digestion, react to environment).

Territories / Human ImpactHome Sweet Habitat
Engaging activities help students understand that a habtitat is where living things get what they need to survive, that animals have special adaptations for living in their habitats, and that people can affect wildlife habitats positively or negatively.

  • NY 3.1c In order to survive in their environment, plants and animals must be adapted to that environment.
  • NY6.1c Animals that eat plants for food may in turn become food for other animals. This sequence is called a food chain.
  • NY6.1f When the environment changes, some plants and animals survive and reproduce, and others die or move to new locations.
  • NY7.1c Humans, as individuals or communities, change environments in ways that can be either helpful or harmful for themselves and other organisms.

Sharp-shinned Hawk eats Mourning Dove - by Dave CooneyThe Hunters and the Hunted

Animals that hunt are called predators and they have special adaptations for getting food.  Animals that are hunted are called prey and they have special adaptations for trying to stay away from predators.  Students will learn about different methods of hunting and about local animals that use these methods.

  • NY 6.1b Some animals (predators) eat other animals (prey).
  • NY 3.1a Each animal has different structures that serve different functions in growth, survival, and reproduction.
  • PA 4.7.4 Know that adaptations are important for survival. Explain how specific adaptations can help a living organism to survive.