Exploring the Natural History of Wyoming through its Animals
Lesson Objectives
- Listening and understanding the differences between animals.
- Gaining a basic understanding of how vital Wyoming’s animal population is important to nature and the people, specifically our bison.
- Teaching to multiple intelligences by involving music, reading, interactive play including individual artwork.
Directions: Bison Paper Bag Puppet
Grade: Pre-K/Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
Duration: 30-60 minutes
Materials Needed: Lunch-sized paper bag, crayons or markers, glue, scissors, printed template (we provide the template below). Use the photograph as your guide.
- Print out template and have child color in the various parts such as the horns, mouth, etc.
- Once colored in, assist the child (if necessary) with cutting out the parts of the puppet including the mouth, horns, eyes.
- Using glue, add the Bison parts to the paper bag, flap side at the top (see photograph).
- Enjoy and have fun with your puppet!
Companion Activities
- Reading students Buffalo stories interactively: reading, pausing, asking questions to ensure they are actively engaging with the story. Recommended: There’s a Bison Bouncing on the Bed (3 – 7 years); Buddy Bison’s Yellowstone Adventure (4 – 8 years).
- Watching and Listening: Show students the “Buffalo Song!” music video by Hamilton Animation on YouTube; clapping and singing to enhance their knowledge in a fun and memorable way. Identify the animals, bison, prairie dogs, etc. [Need access to YouTube] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgw22DKrAnw
- Coloring pages, including the WY State Flag.
https://www.crayola.com/free-coloring-pages/print/wyoming-coloring-page/
http://www.supercoloring.com/coloring-pages/mammals/american-bison
https://www.momjunction.com/articles/buffalo-coloring-pages_00358026/ - Make It: Students create their own paper bag bison puppets using the template provided
Subjects Included in Lesson:
- English Language Arts
- Visual Arts
Wyoming DOE Learning Content Standards (2018) Included in this Lesson:
English Language Arts; Reading for Literature:
- K.1 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
- K.3 With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story.
- K.10 Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding.
- K.5 Identify the front cover, back cover, and title page of a book.
English Language Arts; Speaking and Listening:
- K.2 Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions.
- K.3 Ask and answer questions in order to seek help, get information, or clarify something that is not understood.
- K.5 Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions as desired to provide additional detail.
- K. 6 Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and other ideas clearly.
Fine and Performing Arts; Visual Arts:
- 1A.1 Students create and revise original art to express ideas, experiences, and stories.
- 1. A.2 Students investigate and apply a variety of materials, resources, technologies and processes to communicate experiences and idea through art.
- 1. A.3 Students apply the elements and principles of design to their artwork.
- 1. A.4 Students collaborate with others in creative artistic solutions.
- 4.1. A.5 Students use art materials in a safe and responsible manner.