Shelter Builders

1. Prepare Student Groups (Optional)

• Divide students into groups of 2–3 students.
• Each group will work together to build one animal shelter.
• Students sitting next to each other should have the same animal card so they can plan together.
• Students can also work alone in more advanced classes.

2. Print Student Materials

• Print the following materials before class:
  • Animal Challenge Cards (1 per group or student)
  • Shelter Planning Sheet (1 per student)
  • Wildlife Shelter Showcase Sheet (1 half-sheet per student)
  • Assessment (optional) (1 per student)

3. Gather Building Materials

• For each group, prepare:
  • 3 large pieces of cardboard
  • 1 ChompSaw
  • Tape
  • Glue
  • Pencil for drawing shapes
• Optional: markers, crayons, or colored paper for decorating

4. Organize Animal Challenge Cards

• Before class, decide how students will receive their Animal Challenge Cards.
• You may:
  • Allow groups to choose a card.
  • Randomly assign a card.
  • Place cards at stations around the room.

5. Review Lesson Timing

• The planning and building portions require the most time.
• If your schedule is limited:
  • Complete the planning and building portion during one class period.
  • Complete testing and the Wildlife Shelter Showcase during a second class period.
  • This gives students more time to carefully build and improve their shelters.

Helpful Teacher Tips

• Encourage students to focus on how well their shelter protects their animal rather than creating an elaborate design.
• Remind students that engineers begin with simple prototypes to test their ideas before making improvements.
• Throughout the lesson, ask students to explain why they made certain design choices and how those features help solve their animal's shelter challenge.

Shelter Upgrade Challenge

• Students draw a challenge card that gives their animal a new problem to solve.
  • Challenge Cards
    • Heavy Rain
    • Strong Wind
    • Snow
    • Hot Sun
    • A Bigger Animal Moved Nearby
  • Students must:
    • redesign one part of their shelter to better protect their animal
    • explain how their improvement solves the new problem

Camouflage Challenge

• Many animals use camouflage to help stay safe.
  • Students use crayons, colored paper, natural materials, or classroom craft supplies to camouflage their shelters so they blend into their surroundings.
  • After decorating, students walk around the room and try to spot the hidden shelters.
  • Discuss:
    • Which shelters were the hardest to find?
    • Why is camouflage helpful for animals?

Build a Bigger Habitat

• Groups combine their individual shelters to create one large shared habitat.
  • Students add features such as:
    • Trees
    • Rocks
    • Water
    • Plants
    • Paths
  • After combining shelters, discuss:
    • Which animals could live near each other?
    • How do different shelters help different animals?
    • What other things would animals need besides shelter?

Surprise Materials Challenge

• Each group receives one surprise material to incorporate into their shelter.
  • Example Materials
    • Leaves
    • Craft sticks
    • Cotton balls
    • Yarn
  • Students must:
    • decide how to use their surprise material to improve their shelter