Special Feature Lesson:

Wonderful Water

Overview:
Students create a wetland scene to learn more about a wetland's value to wildlife and people.

Curriculum Focus:
science
art
social studies

Materials:

Wetland Scene printout
Wetland Characters printout
scissors
glue
crayons
colored pencils
markers
paint

Activity:
Make enough copies of the Wetland Scene printout and the Wetland Characters printout for each child. Review Special Feature. Focus on a wetland's value as wildlife habitat and as a source of recreation for people. Pass out copies of the Wetland Scene and Wetland Characters printout. Tell children to cut out the characters and glue them on the wetland scene in appropriate places. When children have finished gluing on the characters, allow them time to color the scene. Then, ask students to choose one character to write or talk about, in terms of how the animal or person is using the wetland. Also ask them to share any experiences they have had in wetland areas. Display children's work and stories.

Extension Idea:Ask children to find pictures that show wetlands, as well as the ways wildlife and people use them. Create a display from pictures children collect.