Following clues stretches our thinking about what could possibly fit this description. They have pups? This one threw some of us!. Each clue was hidden somewhere in the yard. Can you remember some of them? It didn’t take long for Blue Racer and Water Bear to come up with the idea of bats and they were right!
Bats are amazing mammals. What other facts do you remember about bats? Maybe this blog will help with remembering our day and activities we did along the way.
In the game of “Bat Bat Moth”, we experienced echolocation (in our human way). When the “bat” in our game was blindfolded they were depending on their sense of hearing. It’s actually a much more complicated process that bats have mastered. Here is a link to learn more about Echolocation. What was it like being the ‘bat’? What was it like being the “moth”?
After a quick walk to the west side, we took a look at the engineering project repairing the area around the dam. We noticed trees were missing, a teal colour painted on the side of the hill, a roll of green tube at the top and some white sand bags. We are all hoping the project will finish soon and then we can use the bridge again!
The Herons were challenged to find the five different types of bat cards hidden throughout Butterfly Hill and on the trail towards the bench. Did your group find all five different types? Can you recall the five different types of bats? Describe a couple of possible roosting spots for bats? Even when the bat cards are not moving and are on white pieces of paper they are still hard to find.
Looking for a bat feast was challenging. On a cool, breezy day insects aren’t too busy moving or flying around. We really had to look hard for any bugs. Thanks to Raccoon for helping Blue Racer and Rose collect 5 grams of bugs. Is there a bat that could survive on 5 grams of food?
Daisy started collecting ladybugs in the hall and found that even with eight ladybugs on the scale, it still read 0 grams. I wonder how many ladybugs would it take to make 1 gram?
When it comes to the weight of a bat, how can we get a better idea of their size? Bats are measured in two ways: 1. Wingspan 2. Length from Head to Tail. What is Ontario’s largest bat? Starts with “H”. How much does it weigh? Getting a sense of weight and measurement when it comes to bats we used common things to weigh and compare to different weights of bats.
After lunch, Grey Squirrel read us a book called “The Bat” by Elise Gravel. It was full of interesting facts. Can you remember how to say “Chiroptera”? It means “Hand Wing”. Grey Squirrel also helped us connect with our creative side through a new version of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and a moving bat craft. Can you show someone in your family your flying bat?
As we spent the rest of the afternoon outdoors, there were painters, builders, engineers for climbing and swinging, crafters of food and drink. Owl and Hummingbird have said “Next week the shop will be open.”
Our big day wrapped up happily spool knitting with Bluebird (Betty) and writing in our nature notebooks. Our writing focused on the point of view from a bat. Which one of the five types of bats did you choose? What did you discover about where it roosts and what it eats?
Thanks to Bluebird for getting everyone started on spool knitting! I know the Herons love all the colours you have provided and how soft the yarn is.
Thanks to Pin Cherry for keeping care of Little Beaver! And also thanks to the Nature Mentors who make the day full of learning and FUN!
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