CANE Program Was

Thumbs Up  At H.O.M.

H.O.M.’s first graders recently had the opportunity to tape together the thumbs and forefingers of their teachers. Ms Beckerle, Ms Green, Ms Tomaino and Ms Di Sette, along with several students, were then asked to perform simple tasks. They demonstrated the value of the thumb while struggling to pick up beads, hold a bottle or tie their shoes. Connecticut Audubon Nature Explorer (CANE) volunteers used the thumb experience to illustrate a human adaptation.

All animals have adaptations that enable them to find and eat their food. The CANE program, “What’s for lunch? A study of bird beak adaptations,” revealed how specific bird beaks are used to procure specific foods. The students investigated at six different bird food stations using common tools that portrayed six different bird beaks. They discovered that a hummingbird’s beak, illustrated by a straw, would not be used to eat a mouse or crack open seeds. It was also found that a Mallard duck, illustrated by a slotted spoon, would likely starve if flower nectar were its lunch. The children completed their exploration of bird beaks by drawing a bird which had a beak designed to eat a food of their choice. Just imagine a “spaghetti bird” at the feeder this winter.

Parent-volunteers trained by the Connecticut Audubon Society present several CANE programs during the school years. The programs are tailored to supplement the Newtown science curriculum. They are very much hands-on and all focus on environmental awareness. Volunteers were Pat Bartnam, Lisa Berger, Jeff Chilson, Chris Gerety, Jennifer Hill, Nancie Hubbard, Lisa Kopcik, Pamela Powers, Lisa Swain, Wendy Tita, JeanMarie Winokur and Antoinette Wlasuk.