Bats

The students will learn that bats are nocturnal and use echolocation.

A lesson plan for grade K Science

By Debbie Lanier

Learn more

• Bat Conservation International information about conservation, with sections for kids
• Bats why we should care about bats

Related pages

• Goose Creek State Park: Located six miles from historic Bath, Goose Creek State Park provides educational opportunities for K-12 students in the flora and fauna of the area.
• Jones Lake State Park: A visit to Jones Lake Park not only teaches students about the habitats and animals that can be found there, but the phenomenon of the Carolina Bays is also explored.
• Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge: Located in Anson and Richmond counties of North Carolina, the diversity of habitats and management programs supports a broad range of wildlife species, including over 168 birds, 49 amphibians and reptiles, 28 mammals, and 20 fish species.

Related topics

• Learn more about animals, bats, biology, field trips, habitats, read-alouds, and science.

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Learning outcomes

Students will identify the use of echolocation by bats. They will also be able to explain that bats are nocturnal.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

7 days

Materials/resources

• field trip to Pisgah National Forest
• Stellaluna by Janelle Cannon
• Bats by Gail Gibbons
• chart tablet
• sign up sheets for projects
• materials for the various projects for which students sign up for
• bat snack
• books about bats for the library in your class

Technology resources

computer with internet access

Activities

Day One

students will chart, with the teacher, “What We Know about Bats.”

Day Two

1. The class will chart “what we want to know about bats.” The teacher will chart each of the students’ answers.
2. Then the teacher will read “Stellaluna” by Cannon. The class will discuss the similarities and differences between bats and birds.

Day Three, Four, and Five

1. Read Bats by Gail Gibbons.
2. Answer the many questions asked by the students the previous day on the chart entitled “what we want to know about bats.”
3. The students will each sign up for a project that they will do during center activities throughout the week. The possible projects are as follows:
   • painting
   • model
   • book
   • mural
   • diorama
   • chart
   • letter
   • poster
   • drawing
   • sewing
4. The students will have to label or write something about bats at the completion for their project. All projects have to have writing in them.
5. During center time, the computer center will be open with the web pages open for the students to view.

Day Six

Each student or group of students will share their projects with the entire class.

Day Seven

1. Review the two charts and make additions.
2. Field trip to the Pisgah Wildlife Center in the Pisgah National Forest to see bats and their habitats. During the field trip, the students will have a snack of mangoes, dates, sunflower seeds, and figs. These are foods that bats also eat.

Assessment

During the project writing, the teacher will be able to evaluate the students’ knowledge of bats.