Master of Mimics Slides Master of Mimics
Can you spot the animal tricksters?
Field Guide Edition
What is Mimicry?
"When an animal looks a lot like another animal... it's called mimicry."
Animals use mimicry to:
Stay safe (Hiding)
Sneak a snack (Hunting)
Animal Costume Party
Watch: Animal Tricksters!
Embedded media
Focus: Bee Mimics (1:12 - 1:49)
THE WARNING SIGNAL
The Stinger
A real Honeybee or Wasp
Black and yellow stripes say:
The Mimic
Drone Fly (Harmless!)
Predators see the colors and think it's a bee. The trick works!
Predator & Mimic Game
The Birds
You are the hunters! Tag bugs to get a snack.
The Bees
If a bird tags you, they are STUNG and sit out!
The Flies
You have no stingers! Buzz loudly to trick the birds.
Wait for the whistle to hunt!
Reflection Circle
"How did it feel to be a Mimic?"
Birds: Was it hard to decide who to tag?
Trickster Games Teacher Guide Trickster Games
Teacher Facilitation Guide | Grades 2-3
Lesson: Master of Mimics
Learning Objective
Students will demonstrate an understanding of warning colors and mimicry by identifying the relationship between "models" (dangerous animals) and "mimics" (harmless tricksters) through active role-play.
Essential Materials
Yellow/Black Vests (or armbands) for all "Bugs" (Bees & Flies).
Open Space (Gym, Playground, or cleared classroom).
Whistle or loud signal for game rounds.
Mimicry Mission Log (Student Worksheets).
Pacing Guide
Warm-up 5 min
Video/Lesson 5 min
The Game 20 min
Reflection 5 min
1. Warm-up: "Stinger Stop"
Play a variation of Red Light, Green Light. When you shout "Green!" students move. When you shout "Yellow and Black!", they must freeze instantly.
Teaching Point: Why do we freeze? Because those colors mean "Danger" or "Wait!" in nature.
2. Video Focus: Bee Mimics
Watch 1:12-1:49. Pause at 1:27. Ask: "If you were a bird and saw those colors, would you take a bite?"
Explain that some insects bluff. They use "costumes" to trick the birds!
The Predator & Mimic Game
The Birds (Predators)
The Bees (Stingers)
The Flies (Mimics)
Start on one side of the room.
Goal: Tag as many "bugs" as possible to get "food."
If they tag a Bee, they are stung and sit out.
Wear Yellow/Black vests.
Move slowly across the "field."
If tagged, say "Zap! You're stung!" and the Bird sits out.
Wear Yellow/Black vests.
BLUFF: They must buzz loudly like a bee.
They have no sting. If tagged, they are "eaten" and sit out.
Facilitation Notes
Assign roles secretly! Use a small sticker on the vest or whisper to the students. Only the student should know if they are a Bee (Danger) or a Fly (Mimic). The Birds have to guess based on behavior (buzzing) and the colors.
Round 1: Start with mostly Bees and a few Birds.
Reflection Circle
Question for the Birds:
"Was it scary to tag someone with yellow and black stripes? How did the buzzing sound change your mind?"
Question for the Flies:
"How did it feel to trick a predator just by acting like someone else? Did the costume save you?"
Mimicry Mission Log Worksheet Mimicry Mission Log
Field Investigator Name
Mission Date
Lab Report #1
01 Spot the Trickster
Look closely at the two insects below. One is a Honeybee (dangerous) and one is a Drone Fly (harmless mimic). Label them and circle the colors they share.
Identification:
Identification:
02 Mission Debrief
Which role did you play in the game? (Circle one)
BIRD
BEE
FLY
How did your mimicry (colors or sounds) help you survive?
03 Create a New Mimic!
Imagine a dangerous animal that lives in your backyard or school. Now, design a harmless mimic that looks just like it to stay safe!
Dangerous Animal Name:
Its Warning Sign (Color/Shape):
Draw Your
Nature Detective Academy
"Observation is the first step of science."
