Mammal Mobile
Overview: Mammals have distinct characteristics that separate them from other animals. Students will make a mobile distinguishing mammals from non-mammals.
Subjects: Science and Art
Grade: 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
Procedure:
- Provide students with information on what makes mammals different from other animals.
- 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." - 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.
- 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.
- As an alternative, students can make a mammal collage and glue their mammal pictures onto a poster board.
