The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem - A Virtual Lesson withYellowstone Nature

Third Grade students in our challenge classroom spoke virtually with Robert Chapman from from Yellowstone Nature about the Ecosystem of the Yellowstone National Park.  This was part one of a two part lesson.

By the time the lesson is complete he will have taught the students about Coyotes, Wolves, Badgers, and Lichen in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The kids will examine closeup the teeth of the coyote and the wolf and compare them to ours. They will measure the length of the canine teeth and understand the use of the teeth and how that has been an adaptation helping the animal survive in the environment. They will see the type of coat and why it is important to have a guard coat as well as an undercoat. They will discuss how both the coyote and wolf are complex family members vs the badger that is a solitary animal.

Mr. Chapman was very knowledgable about the ecosystem.  He shared his knowledge with the students and built upon the their background knowledge as well as discussing in terms the students could understand.  This lesson was very interactive and the students were able to comment, and ask and answer questions.