Catherine Solomon- Owl Pellets

Title: Owl Pellets

Principle(s) Investigated: By dissecting an owl pellet students will gather bones and construct a model, therefore, understanding the structure of the skeletal system.

Standards:

Structure and Function in Living Systems

5 (a) Students know plants and animals have levels of organization for structure and function, including cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, and the whole organism.

5 (c) Students know how bones and muscles work together to provide a structural framework for movement.

Materials:

owl pellets, pencils, gloves (optional), tweezers (optional), glue, bone chart

Procedure:

Discuss what an owl pellet is and where it comes from

Place the owl pellet on a piece of paper or paper towel. Carefully tear apart the pellet to separate the bones from the fur.

Place the bones in the plastic cup

Identify small mammal bones and skulls using the bone identification chart

Attempt to reassemble the skeleton

Student prior knowledge:

Students should have had a previous lesson on the skeletal structure

Explanation:

This demonstration will give your students an understanding of how the bones are structured in the body. The students can work in teams on their own. In addition, the students will learn about the eating habit of an owl and the different types of pray.

Questions & Answers:

Applications to Everyday Life:

Students will understand how bones in their own bodies fit together.