Mammal Safari

Overview: Mammals have distinct characteristics that separate them from other animals. Students will make a mobile distinguishing mammals from non-mammals.

This lesson is part of a series. Select this text to learn more about the series and how to extend its usefulness, or proceed directly to a list and summary of related mammal activities.

Subjects: Science and Art

Grades: 1-3

Length: Moderate

Materials: Book with animal pictures (mammals and non-mammals)
- Magazines with pictures of mammals for cutting.
- One twig for each child (approximately 12” )
- Cardboard
- Strings or yarn

Procedures:
1. Provide students with information on what makes mammals different from other animals. Refer to the content section of the guide.
2. Using a book about animals or individual pictures of animals, have students identify which animals are mammals and which are not. Have them provide a reason for each answer they give.

Example: "I Know the crocodile is not a mammal because it lacks hair or fur.

3. Once students can confidently distinguish mammals from other animals, they will create a mobile. They can make a mobile of only mammals or one that has mammals on one end and non-mammals on another. They will begin by gluing animal pictures from the magazines onto cardboard and punching a hole at the top.
4 . Have them string each of the pictures onto colored yarn and hang from the twig. They can hang information about the animals on the mobile as well.
5 . As an alternative, students can make a mammal collage, gluing their mammal pictures onto a poster board.