Wetland Cafe


The objective of the Wetland Cafe is to demonstrate that wetlands are valuable as food producers.

Before you open for business put out the table cloth and set the plates around the cloth as if setting a table. Then take the lunch bags and scatter them adjacent to the cafe. Now put on your chef's hat and apron.

The Cafe is now open for business!

When your guests (the students) arrive greet them by saying something like this; "Welcome to the Wetland Cafe. Since our cafe is located at the wetland we should be able to serve every one of you lunch ... because wetlands are great food producers ... so please have a seat."

Have students sit down in front of a plate (encourage the chaperones to sit also). Tell the students that the animals pictured on the plates are some of the animals that may actually come to the wetland for a meal. Help them to identify what kind of animal they are and/or to read the name printed on the bottom of the plate. Then ask them to pretend for the moment that they are the animal pictured on the plate. Then ask them what would they (the wild animal) eat for lunch? Now pass around the menus, tell the students that the cafe serves buffet style and the menu share some of the items that may be found in the lunch bag buffet. Let the students know that once they have made a selection from the menu, they are welcome to browse the lunch bag buffet and find the selection. Have them bring their choices back to the cafe table (have them bring both the lunch sack and the food inside so, the lunch bag stays with the corresponding meal) and place their food item on their plate.

NOTE. Each lunch bag has an animal name, from the plates, printed on the bottom, however the name is scrambled. Students can try to find the correct food for their critter that way also. Once every one has browsed the buffet and returned with a food selection they think is appropriate for their animal. Now go around the table and share what food selections were made. Ask the students what they choose and why. Include as much as possible the use of the words carnivore; herbivore, predator and prey. When necessary correct obvious selection mistakes (use the Lunch Bag Buffet Cheat Sheet as a guide).

In closing, thank everyone for coming to the cafe. Wrap up by saying something like; "These are only some of the animal diners and these are only some of the possible food choices. Wetlands provide so much abundance that there are many, many more. Wetlands are valuable food producers!

Second part of the cafe is to escort your group to the pond for the netting activity. Here is where students may actually get to meet real live visitor to the wetland cafe! Students can try their hand at catching their own food.

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Last modified 9/25/06 11:52 AM by menichol (history)
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