Bison

Introductory Facts

Watch a four-minute video "Meet the American Bison!" or a ten-minute video "Bison of the West". Bison are also called "buffalo", but they're not the same species as water buffalo in Asia.

Activity 1

Bison, or buffalo, are mentioned in the first verse of "Home on the range". Practice singing it. 

Curriculum areas: X02a, X02b

Activity 2

Buffalo graze, and eat grass, shrubs, and twigs. In winter, they can eat grass buried under up to four feet of snow. Hide objects under pillows and blankets and practice finding them just by feeling.

Curriculum areas: S12a

Lunch Snack

Make "buffalo food" for lunch:

For the salad:
- 1 cucumber
- 1/2 green bell pepper
- 1 cup curly parsley
- 1/4 cup scallions or chives

For the dressing:
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp mined garlic

Finely chop the salad greens and then toss them together with the dressing. Cook quinoa or bulgur for the soil and add the green salad over the top for the grass. Serve with pieces of beef on top for the buffalo.

Curriculum areas: S13c, R09b

Activity 3

Buffalo like to roll around in the dirt to keep themselves cool. Print the Buffalo Template page in the attachments. Paint the buffalo with dirt paint: collect some dirt and sieve it so there's no large pieces (or use coffee grounds), and then mix equal parts dirt, PVA glue, and water until its the consistency of yoghourt.  Don't paint the horns, but cut them out and attach them after, and use a piece of brown string or yarn for the tail.

Curriculum areas: M06b, M06c, M08e