13. Bat Attack (lesson plan provided)

• Health/Science
  
• discuss how rabies is transmitted then using inquiry technique pose a question of how bats can contract rabies if they are insect eaters (A: by hibernating in close quarters with blood eating bats)
  
• accept possible solutions from individuals, then have students work in cooperative groups to gather data, evaluate it and decide which alternative gives the best explanation
  
• groups present the results of their research and the class assesses the best explanation and considers the implication for health risks from our bats

Bat Attack

CELs:

• share in their own words, ideas which are heard, read or discussed (C)
  
• develop their own perspectives and give reasons for their positions (CCT)
  
• work cooperatively and contribute positively in group learning activities (PSVS)

Materials:

• bat books or information sheets

Objectives:
Students will learn that:

• our bats rarely carry rabies
  
• our bats can contract rabies if hibernating with blood feeding bats
  
• one should never pick up a bat that is lying on the ground

Procedures:
Set Induction (15 min.)

• indicate that one of the greatest fears we have of bats is that they carry rabies
  
• brainstorm what students know of rabies and write out as a concept web

Main Procedure (60 min.)

• review how rabies is transmitted
  
• using inquiry learning pose the question - If our bats eat only insects, how can they become infected with rabies?
  
• accept possible solutions to the question form the class, then have them break up into their respective cooperative groups to gather information, evaluate it and decide which alternative gives the best explanation to the question
  
• roles: - reader, writer, reporter, and timer
  
• groups present their findings and as a class assess the best solution

Closure (15 min.)

• ask the class to consider the implications of the conclusion for supposed health risks from bats
  
• caution students to not pick up a bat found laying on the ground in spite of slight health risk as these odd acting bats are likely sick

Evaluation:

• note the groups' ability to use inquiry learning
  
• ask the class what they would reply to the statement that bats carry rabies and note their answers