for grades: 1 | 2 | 3
Animal Kingdom
Location: Wildlife Education Campus OR in-school
This program explores more in-depth characteristics of four major divisions of the Animal Kingdom: Reptiles, Amphibians, Mammals & Birds. Using live animals to represent each group, students will discover the unique characteristics and adaptations that scientists use to classify animals in each of their kingdoms. Students will meet four live animals: a mouse, a toad, a snake, and a bird. This presentation includes a number of props, such as feathers, shells, pelts, and eggs, providing students with a tactile dimension to their learning. We will also explore different characteristics that all animals share, such as locomotion, predator-prey relationships, basic life processes, and reproduction.
Learning Objectives: Students will be able to categorize animals based on their adaptations and will be able to differentiate which adaptations are best suited for different habitats. Students will observe an amphibian, a reptile, a bird, and a mammal. Students will listen to an oral presentation about the animals and answer questions based on: animal needs, animal movement, and animal appearance.
NYS Core Curriculum Standards:
1st- Structure, Function, and Information Processing: 1-LS1-2 & 1-LS3-1
2nd- Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems: 2-LS2-2 & 2-LS4-1
3rd- Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems, Inheritance and Variation of Traits: Life Cycles and Traits: 3-LS2-1, 3-LS4-3, 3-LS4-4, 3-LS1-1, 3-LS3-1, 3-LS3-2, and 3-LS4-2.
Animals typically used for this program may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Snake
Blue Tongue Skink
Toad
Frog
Mouse
Dove
Please Note: The Hudson Highlands Nature Center and its professional staff are fully licensed by state and federal agencies to maintain a collection of live native animal species for the purpose of education. Choice of animals is at the discretion of the Nature Center staff, based on availability
as a field trip
Program Length: 90 minutes
45 minute presentation
30 minute forest trail walk
15 minutes free exploration
Gift shop available upon request
Picnic area available upon request
Program Cost:
$250 for up to 25 students
Staff is free
Location: Wildlife Education Campus
(25 Boulevard, Cornwall-on-Hudson NY, 12520)
in the classroom
Program Length: 45 minutes
Program Cost:
$275, plus travel fee, for the first program.
$250 for each additional program on the same day, plus mileage costs.