Lion Country Safari - School Programs



School Programs

Click on the link below to return to the list of available School Programs	Animal Communication This curriculum is designed to stimulate students' interest in animal communication by presenting them with various examples of how and why animals communicate. To relate this concept, students will attend a special animal presentation as well as take part in an activity, which will help them to understand how animals communicate. This workshop has both pre- and/or post-visit classroom activities which can be adjusted for the appropriate age level. These activities are designed to enhance each student's knowledge of the topic to be covered. Meets Sunshine State Standards Grades: Pre-K - 2nd Grades: 3rd - 5th Grades: 6th - 8th Grades: 9th - 12th Animal Communications Classroom Activities: 1. Animal Talk Being able to communicate is very important for us as human beings. We communicate in order to express our basic needs such as asking for a drink of water when thirsty, relate emotions of happiness or sadness, and even express specific plans or goals. Although animals don't have comparatively complex methods of communications (such as a written language), they still communicate amongst themselves and to humans. The goal of this activity is to compare and contrast human and animal communication. Students will brainstorm ways in which they communicate to their family, friends, teachers, and even pets. They must provide specific examples of ways they personally communicate. This may be through language, or non-verbal behaviors such as waving or art forms such as poetry or music. Have students write down at least 3 examples of ways they themselves communicate. Ask students to think of examples of how animals communicate to humans and to each other. Animals communicate through scent, vocalizations, movement, and through contact with other animals. Make sure each category is represented and understood by the students. Have students list at least 3 ways animals communicate to us as humans and to themselves. As soon as students have compiled both lists, have them compare and contrast their personal communication needs with those of animals. Encourage group discussion. 2. Common Scents Objective: To gain insight into olfactory or 'scent' communication in both animals and humans. Lesson Preparation: reference material regarding animal scent communication. Useful Vocabulary: scent, territory, pheromone, carrion, scent glands, Jacobson's organ. Teacher Guided Questions: How do humans use their sense of smell? How might our sense of smell help us determine what is safe to eat? What are ways animals might communicate using scents and smells? What is a territory? How do your pets (cats, dogs, rabbits etc.) use their sense of smell when interacting with you? Materials: Plastic film canisters with lids Scented items (cinnamon, orange peel, coffee beans, etc.) Each group of 4 students will have 4 canisters with scented items inside and holes punched into the lids. Lesson: Divide students into groups of four. Each member will smell the four canisters without opening the lid to guess what is inside. Gather the groups together and reveal the scent in each canister 3. Body Language Objective: To give students the opportunity to experience body language communication first-hand while relating this experience to animal communication. Lesson Preparation: Gather reference material about body language as a means of communication in either humans or animals. Pictures of animals using body language to communicate would be very helpful. Teacher Guided Questions: How do humans use body language to communicate? Would waving good-bye be considered using body language? How effective is body language as a means of communication? How is sign-language effective in communicating needs and desires? Lesson: Have students use body language to communicate the emotions of sadness, fear, surprise, happiness, disgust, and hunger in front of the class. These emotions will be expressed without speaking. Have students guess what emotions are being conveyed. These emotions can be expressed with gestures and basic body language. Ask students to give examples of how and why animals might communicate these emotions. Sunshine State Standards: Grades: Pre-K - 2nd Language Arts D: Understands the nature of language LA.D.2.1.1 Content Standard: Understands that word choices can shape ideas, feelings, and actions. Science D: Processes that shape the earth SC.D.1.1.2 Content Standard: Knows that life occurs on or near the surface of the earth in land, air, and water. SC.D.2.1.1 Content Standard: Understands that people influence the quality of life of those around them. Science F: Processes of life SC.F.1.1.1 Content Standard: Knows the basic needs of all living things. SC.F.1.1.4 Content Standard: Understands the structures of living things are adapted to their function specific environments. SC.F.2.1.2 Content Standard: Knows that there are many different kinds of living things that live in a variety of environments. Science G: How living things interact with their environment SC.G.1.1.2 Content Standard: Knows that plants and animals are dependent on each other for survival. SC.G.2.1.2 Content Standard: Know that the activities of humans affect plants and animals in many ways. Grades: 3rd - 5th Language Arts D: Understands the nature of language LA.D.2.1.1 Content Standard Understands that word choices can shape ideas, feelings, and actions. Science G: How living things interact with their environment SC.G.1.2.2 Content Standard: Knows that living things compete in a climatic region with other living things and that structural adaptations make them fit for an environment. Grades: 6th - 8th Science C: Force and motion SC.C.1.3.2 Content Standard: Vibrations in materials set up wave disturbances that spread away from the source (e.g., sound and earthquake waves) Language Arts C: The student uses viewing strategies effectively LA.C.2.1.1 Content Standard: Determines the main idea in a nonprint communication. Grades: 9th - 12th Science D: Processes that shape the earth SC.D.2.4 Content Standard: Understands that interconnectedness of the systems on Earth and the quality of life