The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department has two new curriculum kits about the northeast's furbearers available for loan to teachers for use in their classrooms.  Each kit includes pelts, tracks, (rubber) scat and skulls of fourteen furbearers; as well as a variety of field guides, a dichotomous skull key, videos and fact sheets.  

A highlight of the kit includes a three-four week, inquiry-based instructional unit called Furbearer Fundamentals, that is designed for middle school classes.  The furbearer unit is divided into three sub-themes:  natural history of furbearers, historical look at furbearer populations since colonization, and management concerns and techniques.  Background information, instructional materials and activities are included to support the teaching of each of the sub-themes.  Also included in the unit are learning objectives, correlations to the state's educational frameworks and sample lesson plans.  The interdisciplinary unit makes an especially strong connection between science and social studies. 

Teachers and non-formal educators are welcome to borrow a kit at no charge for a two-week period.  For more information or to make a kit reservation, contact staff at N.H. Fish and Game's Public Affairs Office at 603-271-3211or via e-mail at info@wildlife.state.nh.us