Lesson 2: Nutrition
This lesson will explore how the nutritional needs of animals are met. Watch the “Five Needs of Animals – Nutrition” (4:12) video. There are two video options for this lesson: Interactive or Normal. The interactive version has questions built into the video that students answer as they watch. You can watch as a class and answer together, or have students watch the video on their own/in small groups and answer the questions individually. The normal version is just the video and has no questions.
Post-Video Discussion Questions
- What does it mean when people say ‘be sure to eat a balanced diet’? Why is it important to do so? A balanced diet means you are eating the right amount of protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, calories, etc. It is important for people to eat a balanced diet to be happy and healthy.
- Do animals also have to eat a balanced diet? If so, what does that look like? Yes! Just like people, animals have to eat a balanced diet. A balanced diet will look differently for each species. Cats, for example, need a diet full of protein, as they are obligate carnivores.
- How do you feel when you are hungry or thirsty? Stomach ache, headache, lack of energy, grumpy, uncomfortable, etc. Do you think the same could be true for animals? Explain.
- How do you feel when you eat too much? Uncomfortable, tired, stomach ache, etc. Do you think the same could be true for animals?
- What are some factors that might impact how much food and water an animal needs? Age, species, health status, pregnancy, climate, activity level, etc.
- Are there any temporary situations you can think of where it might be OK if an animal is hungry or thirsty? Before a meal an animal might feel a bit hungry (just like people) and this is normal. Some animals can’t have free feeding because they will eat too much, so they need to be fed just the right amount of food for their species, size, etc. It is not normal, though, if animals are not fed enough and feel very hungry, becoming weak, sick, or too thin.
- What can you do to ensure that your animal does not go hungry or thirsty? Provide daily fresh water, research foods that are healthy and those that are unhealthy/toxic, and share with others about what you learned.
- Why is it important to ensure that your animal does not go hungry or thirsty? So they don’t feel uncomfortable (stomach ache, headache, lack of energy, etc.).
Post-Video Activities
1. This NOT That
Hamsters can eat grapes as an occasional treat, but grapes are toxic to dogs! There are lots of foods that are healthy for people, but toxic to certain animals. It’s important to know what is healthy and what is not when caring for a pet. Using the list included in the video, have students create a poster on foods that are healthy and foods that are unhealthy or toxic to cats or dogs. Display the posters around the classroom or hallway to help spread this important message! ALTERNATIVE: Have students pick an animal (pet or farm) and research what kind of food they require to stay healthy and what foods are unhealthy or toxic.
2. Water Intake
On average, people need about two litres of water every day. How does this compare to the amount of water other animals need to drink? Have students make a pictograph or bar graph (double bar if able) to compare the average water needs of people and different species of animals. Encourage students to use many-to-one correspondence when able. EXTENSION: Have students construct their own graph. Then have students interpret the graph to determine which animal species requires the most amount of water, the least amount of water, and which species need more than or less than other species.
Curriculum Connections
Science
- General Learner Expectations: Students will:
- 4-4 Demonstrate positive attitudes for the study of science and for the application of science in responsible ways.
- Specific Learner Expectations: Students will show growth in acquiring and applying the following traits:
- a sense of responsibility for actions taken
- respect for living things and commitment for their care
Mathematics
STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY (Data Analysis)
- General Outcome: Collect, display and analyze data to solve problems.
- Specific Outcomes
- 2. Construct and interpret pictographs and bar graphs involving many-to-one correspondence to draw conclusions
- Specific Outcomes
Health and Life Skills
PERSONAL HEALTH
- Students will:
- W-4.5 analyze the need for a variety and moderation in balance diet
Science
- General Learner Expectations: Students will:
- 5-4 Demonstrate positive attitudes for the study of science and for the application of science in responsible ways.
- Specific Learner Expectations: Students will show growth in acquiring and applying the following traits:
- a sense of responsibility for actions taken
- respect for living things and commitment for their care
Mathematics
STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY (Data Analysis)
- General Outcome: Collect, display and analyze data to solve problems
- Specific Outcomes
- 2. Construct and interpret double bar graphs to draw conclusions
- Specific Outcomes
Health and Life Skills
PERSONAL HEALTH
- Students will:
- W-5.5 examine ways in which healthy eating can accommodate a broad range of eating behaviours
Science
- General Learner Expectations: Students will:
- 6-4 Demonstrate positive attitudes for the study of science and for the application of science in responsible ways.
- Specific Learner Expectations: Students will show growth in acquiring and applying the following traits:
- a sense of responsibility for actions taken
- respect for living things and commitment for their care
Mathematics
STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY (Data Analysis)
- General Outcome: Collect, display and analyze data to solve problems.
- Specific Outcomes:
- 1. Create, label and interpret line graphs to draw conclusions
- Specific Outcomes:
