aidemia--modules-lessonanyideas_request	Give a creative idea how to organize and what to do at a part of the lesson
What part of a lesson	Practice
Which subject	Science
What age group	Year or Grade 4
What topic	Design a model that shows how how a beach mouse and an eastern diamondback rattlesnake might receive information through several of their senses as they search for food. Include how the mouse and snake might process and respond to the information and how some information might be stored as memories.
Quantity	1
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Grade 4 Science Lesson: Senses and Survival

Practice Activity: Designing a Sensory Model

Lesson Objective

Students will understand how a beach mouse and an eastern diamondback rattlesnake use their senses to gather information about their environment as they search for food. They will design a model to illustrate these sensory processes, including how information is processed, responded to, and stored as memories.

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Activity Overview

In this hands-on activity, students will work in small groups to create models that demonstrate how a beach mouse and an eastern diamondback rattlesnake utilize their senses while searching for food.

Materials Needed

• Cardboard or poster board
• Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
• Scissors and glue
• Craft materials (cotton balls, leaves, small rocks, etc.)
• Printed images of beach mice and eastern diamondback rattlesnakes
• Worksheet for planning their model (included below)

Instructions

1. Group Formation: Divide students into small groups of 3-4. Each group will be responsible for creating a model for either the beach mouse or the eastern diamondback rattlesnake.

2. Research and Discussion (15 minutes): Provide groups with resources (books, articles, or videos) about beach mice and rattlesnakes. Encourage them to focus on:

   • How each animal uses its senses (sight, smell, touch, hearing) to find food.
   • The behaviors they exhibit when gathering information from their surroundings.
   • Examples of how these animals might store memories of where food sources are located.

3. Planning and Designing the Model (30 minutes):

   • Give each group a worksheet that includes the following sections:
     • Animal Name: (Beach Mouse / Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake)
     • Senses Used: List two or three senses and describe how they are used.
     • Information Processing: Describe how the animal processes the information they receive through their senses.
     • Memory Storage: Detail how the animal remembers where to find food.
   • Based on their research and planning, students will create a physical model. This can be a diorama or a drawing that visually represents how the animal interacts with its environment.

4. Model Creation (45 minutes): Using the materials, students will create their models. Encourage creativity—students can use craft supplies to depict the habitat and incorporate features that highlight the animal's sensory capabilities.

5. Presentation and Sharing (30 minutes): Each group will share their model with the class. They should explain:

   • The senses their animal uses.
   • How information is processed and used to search for food.
   • How memories play a role in their animal’s survival.

6. Reflection (10 minutes): After presentations, hold a class discussion about what students learned through the activity. Ask questions such as:

   • How do the senses of a beach mouse and an eastern diamondback rattlesnake compare?
   • Why is it important for these animals to remember where they find food?

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Conclusion

Through this interactive experience, students will not only grasp the scientific concepts of sensory perception and memory storage but also engage in cooperative learning and creativity. This practice activity aligns with Next Generation Science Standards by enabling students to actively explore and communicate their understanding of animal behavior and adaptation.