In science, first graders at Bethel Elementary School learned about animals native to North Carolina (such as owls), including their habitats and their food. They also studied the phases of the moon and connected these phases with animals that are nocturnal as opposed to diurnal. The students learned what owls eat and that they “spit up” the parts they can’t digest in an “owl pellet.” Students dissected owl pellets and used the bones they found to determine what “critter” the owl had eaten. All of the owls had eaten a mouse (or two) so the pellets contained at least one skull (some had two), rib bones, and leg bones. They were also able to dissect owls virtually on the computer (kidwings.com) and match the bones up to the animal skeleton. Everyone loved this hands-on learning activity!

Submitted by:  Heidi Ashe, Bethel Elementary School