You probably have an idea of what an animal is already, but let's see if we can develop some common characteristics among all animals. You are going to take a Virtual Field Trip through the zoo. At the end of our unit on Animals, we will be taking an actual field trip to the Elmwood Park Zoo.
DIRECTIONS: Each of the clips below discusses one type of animal.
What do they all have in common?
- Fold a piece of notebook paper into 1/4ths. (Fold the paper in half twice.)
- Label each box with one of these animals:
* bald eagle
* buffalo
* parrots and macaws
* river otter
- Take notes on each one.
Since this zoo is in our neighborhood, it would be nice to learn some history behind the zoo, so let's begin by getting some background on how the zoo ended up next to our school.
The first animal you see when you walk through the entrance at the zoo is the Bald Eagle.
* Stop and make sure you've listed some characteristics of the bald eagle.*
The next animal on our tour is the Buffalo.
* Stop and make sure you've listed some characteristics of the buffalo.*
Walking along our tour we have the Amazon Parrots and the Green-Winged Macaw.
* Stop and make sure you've listed some characteristics of the parrot and macaw.*
Finally, on our tour we have the River Otter.
* Stop and make sure you've listed some characteristics of the river otter.*
Obviously this was a very brief tour of the zoo. I didn't want to give too much of it away before you actually went there!
If you do want more information visit the Elmwood Park Zoo.
- When you are finished watching the clips, go to the Characteristics Note Sheet.
- List at least 4 characteristics of all animals; you may add more.
* Here are some questions that may help you.
- Do the animals make their own food or do they have to find it?
- Do the animals breathe?
- Are the animals able to move on their own?
- Print out the document when you are finished.
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