Mystery Dig Pre-Visit Guide
The goal of this activity is to have the students compare structures with the functions they perform.
| Objective: Given pictures of a horse and cat's skeletons, students will be able to compare and contrast the skeletons' forms and functions. |
Provide the students several pictures of mammal skeletons. For example, a human, a whale, a sea lion, an otter, a horse or a cat.
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Have the students compare the structure of the different animals' bones. Discuss the similarities and differences among them. |
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Inquiry Question: Are there differences and similarities between the sea mammals and land mammals? |
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Horses have long legs for running across wide open spaces. They have long necks to reach grass for grazing and flat teeth for grinding their food. Horses' eyes are located on the side of their head to help them see approaching predators while they graze. |
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Cats have long hind legs for pouncing. They do not graze, so they have short necks. Their teeth are sharp for tearing flesh and eating it. Cats' eyes are located on the front of their head, allowing them to judge distance and depth while hunting their prey. |
HMSC Education
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Last Update:
February 24, 2004
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