Activity
Wildlife Challenge Cards
Social Studies:
Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) Outcomes and Experiences
SOC 2-08a: I can discuss the environmental impact of human activity and suggest ways in which we can live in a more environmentally-responsible way.
SOC 3-08a: I can identify the possible consequences of an environmental issue and make informed suggestions about ways to manage the impact
Science:
SCN 2-02a: I can use my knowledge of the interactions and energy flow between plants and animals in ecosystems, food chains and webs
SCN 3-02a: I can demonstrate my understanding of why plants are vital to sustaining life on Earth.
SCN 3-05b: I can explain some of the processes which contribute to climate change and discuss the possible impact of atmospheric change on the survival of living things.
Duration Materials 20 min
Copy of the ‘A Window Into Outdoors’ pages 46 - 49 Whiteboard or large paper Markers
Pictures of local wildlife (e.g., deer, red squirrels, various birds, insects, fish)
Pictures of different environments (e.g., forest, urban park, river, agricultural land)
Activity Instructions
1 Introduction: "Today we're going to talk about wildlife. What comes to mind when you hear the word 'wildlife'?" (Write answers on the board).
2 "Wildlife isn't just big animals; it's all living things that aren't domesticated – from tiny insects and plants to birds, fish, and mammals.”
3."What wildlife have you seen in your local area?"
4."If wildlife is all around us, do you think it just looks after itself, or do humans sometimes need to get involved?" (Allow for a few responses).
5."That brings us to wildlife management, which is looking after wild animals and their homes, so they stay healthy and we can co-exist with them.”
6."Why do you think we might need to 'manage' wildlife?" (Too many of one type of animal, if their homes are destroyed, if they are in danger.)
7 "The main goal of wildlife management is to make sure there's a healthy balance – enough food, safe places to live, and enough space for all living things."
8. Ask the pupils to name different types of environments - a forest, a busy road, a new housing estate, a clean river, a polluted river.
9."How do you think human activities might affect these places and the animals that live there?"
10."If we build a new housing estate, what happens to the land that was there before?" (Loss of habitat).
11. "What about litter? How does that affect animals?" (Danger, pollution).
12 "What if we use too many chemicals in our gardens or on farms?" (Pollution of water/food sources).
13 "What can we do to help our wildlife?" (e.g., planting trees, cleaning up parks, creating nature reserves, recycling).
14."This is why wildlife management is so important. It helps us find ways to live alongside nature without causing too much harm, and even to help it thrive."
15.Activity: Wildlife Challenge Cards. Split the pupils into small groups/pairs
16.Instructions: Give the groups/pairs a challenge card. Ask them to identify why they think it’s a problem and how they would solve it.
Draw/write the ideas down and then feed back to the rest of the class
17 Wrap up: Ask the pupils if they found this activity easy or hard to do. Explain that even small actions can make a big difference for the animals living around us.
Name:
