Discussion and Dissection of an Owl Pellet

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As the culminating activity of this thematic lesson on owls, students play the role of scientists and researchers by carefully dissecting, accurately measuring, and predicting the contents of owl pellets.

OBJECTIVE

Students will understand the adaptations of owls through the analysis of an owl pellet.

MATERIALS

• 20 paper plates
• Rulers
• Black construction paper
• Toothpicks
• 1 medium sized owl pellet per partners (note: I purchase these via the Web site www.pelletsinc.com)
• Owl Investigation Sheets (PDF)
• Journal Keeping (PDF)
• Owl books

SET UP AND PREPARE

• Read books about owls
• Label paper plates with students' names
• Prepare students with a discussion of owl pellets
• Print out bone charts and investigation sheets

DIRECTIONS

1. Review the purpose of an owl's adaptation of creating owl pellets.
2. Review and model various body parts with students by pointing to body parts on students' bodies.
3. Review the investigation packet with the students.
4. Model how to measure the length and width of a pellet.
5. Ask students to predict what they will find inside their pellet.
6. Model how to carefully separate the fur from the bones using the toothpick.
7. After students have separated the bones from the fur, students will separate the bones into categories and record.
8. Students use bones to create a skeleton and glue onto the black construction paper.
9. Students complete investigation packet.

SUPPORTING ALL LEARNERS

Modeling the body parts prior to dissecting the owl pellet helps students associate the animal body parts with their own body parts. Tape an enlarged owl photo to the board with labeled body parts. Modeling the measurement of length and width helps students understand the measurement directions.

LESSON EXTENSION

1. Students can compare the skeletal structure of the animals in the owl pellet to the skeletal structure of another animal.
2. Students can research the bones of the human body.
3. Students can create a skeletal diagram of the bones in the human body.

ASSESS STUDENTS

1. Was the owl pellet constructed correctly?
2. Did the students complete the owl pellet investigation packet correctly?

ASSIGNMENTS

1. Students turn in completed packet.
2. Students turn in completed owl pellet skeletal structure.

HOME CONNECTION

Students can recreate the experience of "owling" - going on a hunt looking for owls. They can observe birds in their neighborhood and record a journal of their observations.

EVALUATE THE LESSON

1. Was the activity too difficult for some students?
2. Were the students adequately prepared with the body vocabulary?
3. Was enough time provided for the students to dissect the pellet?
4. Did students understand the adaptation of owls creating owl pellets?

Marissa Ochoa is a 3rd grade teacher in her seventh year of teaching. She was chosen District Teacher of the year and was a top ten finalist for San Diego County Teacher of the Year in 2007.

ARTICLE	Overboard for Owls Book List These titles were selected by Teacher Advisor Marissa Ochoa as helpful resources for a thematic unit about owls and animal adaptation.