HELPING TEACHERS INSPIRE COMPASSION FOR ANIMALS, PEOPLE & THE ENVIRONMENT

Classroom Resources

Lesson 2: Nutrition

This lesson will explore how the nutritional needs of animals are met, and how this compares to people. 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

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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 thing 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 can be 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, or by doing their own research, 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 foods 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? As a class, make a chart or bar graph to compare the average water needs of people and different species of animals. 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: The child demonstrates curiosity, interest and a willingness to learn about the environment and community.

  • Specific Learning Expectations: The child:
    • shows awareness of similarities and differences in living things, objects and materials
    • becomes aware of the relationship between cause and effect

General Learner Expectations: The child explores familiar places and things in the environment and community

  • Specific Learner Expectations: The child:
    • recognizes familiar animals and their characteristics and surroundings; e.g., farm and zoo
Health and Life Skills

PERSONAL HEALTH

  • Students will:
    • W-K.5 recognize that nutritious foods are needed for growth and to feel good/have energy

 

Science
  • General Learner Expectations: Students will:
    • 1-4 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
  • Topic E: Needs of Plants and Animals
    • General Learner Expectation: Students will:
      • 1-11 Describe some common living things, and identify needs of those living things.
      • Specific Learner Expectations: Students will:
        • 1. Observe describe and compare living things.
        • 6. Identify the requirements of animals to maintain life; i.e., air, food water, shelter, space; and recognize that we must provide these for animals in our care.
Language Arts

1.1 Discover and Explore

Express ideas and develop understanding

  • Talk with others about something recently learned
  • Make observations about activities, experiences with oral, print and other texts

3.2 Select and Process

Use a variety of sources

  • Find information on a topic, using a variety of sources, such as books, concept books, people and field trips

3.4 Share and Review

Share ideas and information

  • Share ideas and information form oral, print, and other media texts with familiar audiences
Health and Life Skills

PERSONAL HEALTH

  • Students will:
    • W-1.5 recognize the importance of basic, healthy, nutritional choices to well-being of self
Science
  • General Learner Expectations: Students will:
    • 2-4 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
Language Arts

3.2 Select and Process

Use a variety of sources

  • Find information on a topic using a variety of sources, such as simple chapter books, multimedia recourses, computers and elders in the community

3.4 Share and Review

Share ideas and information

  • Share, with familiar audiences, ideas and information on topics
Mathematics

STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY (Data Analysis)

  • General Outcome: Collect, display and analyze data to solve problems.
    • Specific Outcomes:
      • 1. Gather and record data about self and others to answer questions.
      • 2. Construct and interpret concrete graphs and pictographs to solve problems.
Science
  • General Learner Expectations: Students will:
    • 3-4 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
Language Arts

1.1 Discover and Explore

3.2 Select and Process

Use a variety of sources

  • Find information to answer research questions, using a variety of sources, such as children’s magazines, CDROMs, plays, folk tales, songs, stories and the environment

3.4 Share and Review

Share ideas and information

  • Organize and share ideas and information on topics to engage familiar audiences
Mathematics

STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY (Data Analysis)

  • General Outcome: Collect, display and analyze data to solve problems.
    • Specific Outcomes:
      • 2. Construct, label and interpret bar graphs to solve problems.

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