Stresses that observation and information processing skills in young children may be enhanced by first hand contact with animals, freedom of time, and careful preparation by teachers for the experience. (CS)

The distribution, nesting and brooding habits, and migration patterns of the wood duck (aix sponsa) are described. (CP)

Presents activities on insects for second grade students. In the first activity, students build a butterfly garden. In the second activity, students observe stimuli reactions with mealworms in the larval stage. Describes the assessment process and discusses the effects of pollution on living things. (YDS)

Describes some of the characteristics of the common harvestmen, or daddy longlegs, and the true spider. Provides information on harvestmen's habitats and life cycles and includes tips on housing and observing these organisms in science classrooms. (TW)

Provides background information on honey ants. These ants are found in dry or desert regions of North America, Africa, and Australia. Also provides a list of activities using local species of ants. (JN)

Directions are given for caring for desert tortoises, both adults and young. Observations of their behavior are recommended. (SA)

Parent Teacher Associations can be persuaded to support programs in schools. Article describes one such attempt which resulted in setting up bee hives and large aquaria in an elementary school. (PS)

Presents lessons to stimulate children's interest in science and develop communication skills by having students simulate the locomotion of an ameba, a paramecium, and an Euglena, and the cyclosis in the pondweed Elodea. Students practice communication skills by demonstrating their organism to the remainder of the class. (MDH)

Presents an activity that teaches children the language of the honeybee--and which transforms the classroom into a honeybee colony. Children mimic the foraging behavior of honeybees and learn to appreciate the importance of community effort among animals. (PR)

Describes a field study of dragonflies and damselflies. After a bit of background reading and equipped with paper, pencil, insect net, and work sheet in hand, students will come to appreciate the behaviors of these insects as they gain a deeper understanding of the natural world. (PR)

Discusses several points that teachers should consider when planning to keep animals in the classroom. Selecting and obtaining the animals, safety and legal considerations, food and feeding, water, housing, day-to-day care, and what to do with animals when a project or school year is over are among the areas examined. (JN)

Describes a sixth grade unit of study on metamorphosis using the silkworm (Bombyx mori). Included are techniques for care and feeding of silkworms; ideas for observations and experiments. (CS)

Describes a unit of study for elementary school science on bats. Students investigate the different types of bats; examine their behavior; find facts that other students are unlikely to know; write stories about bats; and examine the concept of echolocation, the means by which bats navigate. Suggests integrated activities for mathematics…

Describes the characteristics, care, feeding, housing, and diet of garter snakes. Includes tips on using the snakes for short-term classroom projects and brief comments on handling snakes. (JN)