How did the Kentrosaurus use its bony spikes for defence?
BACKGROUND RESEARCH NOTES:
The Kentrosaurus is the SPIKIEST of all the dinosaurs!!
MY PLAN:
Pretend to be an Albertosaurus and attack the Kentrosaurus so it defends itself!
FIELD NOTES:
The Kentrosaurus used the spikes on its tail, side, and back for defence!
But an Albertosaurus chomped off one of the Kentrosaurus’ spikes, and they don’t grow back if they lose them! (I made a cast of a spike to help this Kentrosaurus).
FINDING:
The Kentrosaurus defended itself with spikes on its sides, back, and tail. But if they lose a spike it’s gone forever.
FOR TEACHERS / PARENTS:
About the Episode: In this episode, a spiked Kentrosaurus gets injured by an Albertosaurus and Dana also accidentally injures Saara’s arm. While at the hospital, Dana’s dad teaches her about bones and spikes, and Dana finds a solution to help the injured Kentrosaurus.
Extension Activity:
Create a cast!
Pretend that one of your child’s favorite toy animals has fallen and hurt their leg. Have your child nurse the toy animal back to health and make a cast for it out of paper towels or playdough. Make sure the animal gets lots of rest, too!
Role playing helps kids practice empathy. When your child is pretending to be someone else, such as a doctor, they are discovering how different people can feel and see things differently than they do! It’s a great way to understand how others might be feeling.
Heart Moment: In this episode, Dana is invested in finding a way to help the Kentrosauraus fix its broken spike because she feels responsible for it breaking. She also accidentally causes Saara to fall and hurt her arm. While at the hospital with Saara, Dana gets some ideas of how to help the Kentrosaurus by putting a cast on it, and apologizes to her sister!
CURRICULUM EXPECTATIONS:
Kindergarten
28.1 Recognize people in their community and talk about what they do
13.3 Select and use materials to carry out their own explorations
14.3 Recognize, explore, describe and compare patterns in the natural and built environment
Grade 1 Science– Understanding Life Systems Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
2.3 Investigate and compare the physical characteristics of a variety of plants and animals, including humans
3.2 Identify the physical characteristics (e.g., size, shape, colour, common parts) of a variety of plants and animals
Grade 2 Science – Understanding Life Systems Growing and changes in Animals
2.2 Observe and compare the physical characteristics (e.g., fur or feathers; two legs or no legs) and the behavioural characteristics (e.g., predator or prey) of a variety of animals, including insects, using student-generated questions and a variety of methods and resources
3.1 Identify and describe major physical characteristics of different types of animals (e.g. insects, mammals, reptiles)
