Below are ideas for extending this topic beyond the activity & exploration you just completed.
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In this Read-Along lesson, Sam wonders why his grandmother wants to keep an old log in her yard—until he begins to meet a few of her friends. The lesson includes a short exercise where students pretend to be lizards eating ants, and discover why old logs are helpful to animals. You can extend the lesson with the optional activity, Animal Visitors, where students learn what they could put in a yard or park to attract animals.
Preview optional activityThis activity does not require supplies.
As optional activities, we suggest these two exercises that encourage students to think more about the animals that rely on trees and logs for food and shelter.
The Chipmunk Log Webcam from Explore.org offers a way for students to keep watch on a log and the animals that visit it, including chipmunks, squirrels, birds, and even deer and bears.
Read this poem about an old oak tree from Project Wild and have children act out the animals. You can tailor your reading to your students’ age and attention span.
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