Hi there! Today, Sam and I played a fun game called “Guess That Animal.” We each picked secret animals and gave each other clues to guess them. Since it’s fall, we chose animals that have something to do with this season. Are you ready to learn about these animals with us?
My first animal was small and furry with a big bushy tail. Can you guess what it is? That’s right, it’s a squirrel! In the fall, squirrels gather lots of food like nuts and seeds and hide them to eat later. They dig holes in the ground to store their food, creating their own little kitchen cabinets underground. Squirrels have a great sense of smell to help them find their buried food, and sometimes they even find food hidden by other squirrels!
Next, Sam’s animal had a long neck and feathers. It goes “honk honk.” Did you guess a goose? You’re right! In the fall, geese fly south for the winter. But how do they know where to go without a map? Geese use landmarks like mountains and forests to find their way. Some animals even use the stars to navigate, while others have an internal compass that helps them know which direction is north.
My next animal was really small, slimy, and didn’t have any arms, legs, or even a head. It’s an earthworm! Earthworms are amazing creatures that help turn dead leaves into nutrients for plants. They live underground and breathe through their skin, which needs to stay moist. Earthworms eat soil and help make it better for plants to grow by creating tunnels that let air and water reach deep into the ground.
Finally, Sam’s last animal was a big bird with a wrinkly face and a fan-shaped tail. It goes “gobble gobble.” You guessed it, it’s a turkey! Turkeys are connected with Thanksgiving and are known for their unique sounds. Male turkeys, called toms, make the gobbling sound. Turkeys eat berries, seeds, and sometimes small animals. They have a special body part called a gizzard that helps them grind up food since they don’t have teeth.
We had so much fun playing “Guess That Animal.” You can play too! Just pick some animals, make up some clues, and see if your friends can guess them. Keep learning and exploring the amazing world of animals!
Animal Observation Walk: Take a walk in your local park or backyard and try to spot some of the animals mentioned in the lesson, like squirrels or birds. Bring a notebook and draw pictures of the animals you see. Notice what they are doing. Are they gathering food like the squirrels, or flying in a group like the geese? Talk about how these activities might help them during the fall season.
Build a Mini Animal Habitat: Using a small box or container, create a mini habitat for one of the animals from the lesson. For example, you can use leaves, twigs, and small stones to make a cozy spot for a squirrel. Think about what each animal needs to survive in the fall and add those elements to your habitat. Share your creation with a friend or family member and explain why you chose those items.
Animal Navigation Game: Pretend to be a goose flying south for the winter. Set up a simple obstacle course in your home or yard using chairs, pillows, or other objects. Try to navigate through the course without touching the obstacles, just like a goose uses landmarks to find its way. Discuss how animals might use their senses to help them navigate and find food.
