BATS

            This fascinating and informative kit was created to introduce students to the world of the bat.  Students are able to view actual bat specimens, play with a bat puppet, view instructive videos, learn about bats from a multitude of books and take part in a number of engaging activities.  Students also learn about the health concerns of the bat population.  This kit is standards-appropriate for students in K-7, but its appeal can reach older students, as well.

Kit contents include:
            two freeze-dried bat specimens in sealed display boxes
            one bat skeleton in a sealed display box
            one bat puppet
            video Very Elementary Bats, suitable for grades K-4 (with safety tips), 6 minutes
            video  Bats: Myth and Reality for ages 10 to adult, (with safety tips), 19½ minutes
            one set of bat slides
            one folder of bat diversity, natural history, CA bat species sheet, health risks and facts
            bat poster
Books include (n.b., all books are thoroughly illustrated):
            Bats - Swift Shadows in Twilight (Wonder Series), 64 pg., reproducible activities
            Cave, 48 pg., two are bat-specific, echolocation activity and cave safety warnings
The Bat House Builders Handbook, 35 pg, higher level reading with designs, much natural history, map
Bats - Creatures of the Night, 47 pg., grades 1-3, interesting facts, readable
Bats and Other Animals of the Night, 32 pg., a read-to story for younger students
Bats of the World, a Golden Guide book, 158 pg., natural history with specific information of many of the >1000 bat species
Stellaluna, 44 pg., a fictional story of a young fruit bat, a read-aloud book with Reading Rainbow status
Bats – Incredible, 212 pg., an AIMS publication (Activities Integrating Mathematics and Science), many reproducible activities including: charting, creative writing, drawing, tables, sorting, creative art, axes in flight, tracing patterns, estimation, compare/contrast games, zoetrope construction, investigation of echolocation with measurements, cave exercises, folk music with piano and guitar chords, etc.

LEARNING STYLES ADDRESSED IN  BATS  INCLUDE:
Visual-spatial – The kit contains many visual features including specimens, books, videos and slides.
Verbal-linguistic – Shared orally or in written format, background information provides much detail. 
Physical-kinesthetic – Many of the activities in Bats – Incredible provide for kinesthetic learning
Logical-mathematical – The math-based activities in Bats – Incredible allow for this style of learning.
Auditory-musical – there is a sheet of music available in Bats – Incredible. 
Interpersonal – Students will find many things to discuss and share.  Many of the activities are appropriate for group work.   
Solitary-intrapersonal – The intrapersonal learner can learn by reading or solitary projects work.

CALIFORNIA CONTENT STANDARDS of BATS