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Naturally Curious
Grade 2 recently brought their ongoing inquiry into animal adaptations into the wild with an action-packed trip to Mountsberg Conservation Area.
By taking their learning outside the classroom, students saw characteristics and environmental survival concepts come to life through nature's clever designs.
Inside the Raptor Centre, the class learned about vital conservation efforts to protect injured birds. They examined the unique features of barn owls, eagles, peregrine falcons and hawks and applied their classroom knowledge to see how the birds’ colouration and anatomy help them thrive. Two students were quick to point out subtle details: "I learned that the wings are white on the inside so they are like the sky and dark on the outside like the ground," and "Owls rely more on stealth than speed. Owls will go quiet so their prey won’t hear them."
Inside the Raptor Centre, the class learned about vital conservation efforts to protect injured birds. They examined the unique features of barn owls, eagles, peregrine falcons and hawks and applied their classroom knowledge to see how the birds’ colouration and anatomy help them thrive. Two students were quick to point out subtle details: "I learned that the wings are white on the inside so they are like the sky and dark on the outside like the ground," and "Owls rely more on stealth than speed. Owls will go quiet so their prey won’t hear them."
The exploration of these survival traits continued up close in a brave encounter with a native fox snake. Students studied its adaptations, focusing on how the species stays hidden: "I learned that the snakes we saw have ways to be camouflaged to protect them from getting eaten by birds."
Beyond the excitement of meeting the animals, students demonstrated curiosity and empathy. By analyzing physical traits and engaging with the world around them, the class not only sharpened their observational skills but saw the world from an animal's perspective. One student shared, “The ponies were making lots of sounds with their feet,” while another noticed how the birds were feeling: “Betty the chicken was scared, flapping her wings. Even though you might be scared, Betty was more scared.” Students also practiced gentle curiosity in a visit to the stables, as they learned how to approach sheep, horses and a class favourite: bunnies!
By connecting their observations at Mountsberg Conservation Area with their ongoing inquiry, Grade 2 students returned to campus with a wealth of knowledge about the remarkable ways animals adapt. Students are now bringing their curiosity and empathy from this hands-on experience back into the classroom, using these skills to explore the world around them.
