Opossums

Hi Friends…

Let’s make an opossum using a toilet paper roll, paint or markers, paper and a pipe cleaner (or piece of string). 

What is our theme? opossums


What is the lesson (overall purpose)? To learn about opossums. 

Opossums are generally nocturnal, foraging during the night. But it is not at all unusual to see an opossum out during the daytime, especially during cold weather. They also can be seen in the daytime when food is scarce or when they have been disturbed from their sleeping quarters.
 
Opossums are good for eating unwanted pests around your home and garden such as snails, slugs, spiders, cockroaches, rats, mice and snakes.
 
They are nocturnal omnivores and eat fruits, nuts, green plants, insects, snails, snakes, frogs, birds, and their eggs, as well as small mammals such as meadow voles, mice, and rats. Opossums do not prey on cats or other larger mammals but will attack them if cornered, or if competing for food.
 
opossum and possum are not the same animal. 
 
Opossums are marsupials. They carry their newborns in a warm pouch. Then as they grow older, they will climb on the mothers back to ride, until they are able to be on their own. 
 
Opossums lay down and play dead when they are scared or stressed by their predators. They can stay there for hours, until they walk away. When it does this is get’s pretty stinky even smelling like it died. 
 
Opossums slow the spread of Lyme disease. They eat ticks. They will eat the ticks in your backyard. 
 
Opossums are immune to most snake venom. They like to eat snakes. They almost never get rabies because they have a low body temperature. 
 
Opossums are known to be one of the most sanitary animals in nature. They groom themselves a lot. They use their tongue and paws. This also helps cool them down when they are hot. 
 
Opossums do not like to live alone.  
 
MA Guidelines/Standard
Visual Arts: Explore with a variety of materials to create 2 & 3 dimensional art work. 

Life sciences: life cycle of an opossum (babies in pouch, to back to adult). Projects that represent living animals (possum). 


Learning Outcomes: To learn about the opossum that lives on Cape Cod. 

Songs, Books & Videos (Motivational Techniques)
The Possum song: https://youtu.be/MZc0f40mn00 

Materials:
toilet paper roll
gray paint or marker
glue or tape
marker/crayons
scissors
pipe cleaner
white paper (heart shape for head)





Activity (Procedure): toilet paper roll opossum 

-paint or color the toilet paper roll gray
-glue or tape the pipe cleaner to the end of the toilet paper roll.
-cut a heart shape out of your paper
-color the tips of the heart gray for the ears.
-put eyes and a pompom nose on your heart (for its face). 
-then add the legs..4 of them
-let dry

Activity Wrap Up: Can you make your opossum move like a real opossum? Do you remember what opossum's eat? Where they sleep? 

How do I know what my child is learning? (Assessment)

What facts do you remember about opossums? Do you think an opossum is a good animal to have in your backyard? yes/no, why or why not? 

How can you extend this activity? (Modifications)
Opossums can hang by their tail for a short time. Can you hang from a jungle gym or climber? 

The mother Opossums carry their young babies on her back (after they are ready to leave her pouch). What can you carry on your back, without using your hands? How many can you balance on your back when walking around on your hands and knees?  

Helpful Hints: (Pitfalls & Solutions)
If you are missing supplies, you can also use rocks or pine cones to make your opossums. Maybe cotton balls and dryer lint to make them fluffy. 

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