Exploring the Wild Kingdom

1. Exploring the Wild Kingdom Lynne Kristen Dennis

2. This exploratory willengage learners of all types. • The exploratory unit on wildlife is designed to expound on the interests in the fields of nature, animal biology, conservation and zoology. • The students will be introduced to the diversity of the different disciplines of life science. • Many activities, to provide the students with exposure to the different types of animals, are included in this unit.

3. The cumulative activity at the end of this unit will require the students to draw on their knowledge from previous activities to complete a scavenger hunt at the local zoo. • Students will experience a new knowledge base on the diversity of animals and also opportunities for careers in these fields.

4. Day 1- Spineless Wonders • Goals: • Discuss the diversity of invertebrates • Introduce the 6 different groups • The students will observe the kinds of invertebrates that live in the local environments with an activity.

5. Day 2- Fish food • Goals: • Students will look at the body systems of cnidarians (flatworms). • Look at the different types of body symmetry. • Complete an investigation on worm behavior.

6. Day 3 - Shells and Spines • Goals: • Describe different types of mollusks and their features. • Describe different types of echinoderms and their features. • Observe details of mollusks and echinoderm shells in an investigation.

7. Day 4- Exoskeletons and Joints • Goals: • Explore arthropods, the largest group of invertebrates. • Recognize that all arthropods have exoskeletons. • Describe the process of metamorphosis that insects undergo. • Observe the development process of meal worms, including molting.

8. Day 5 - Finding Nemo • Goals: • Explain vertebrates have internal skeletons with backbones. • Discuss how fish are adapted for water. • Characterize the 3 main groups of fish. • Explore how the shape of a fish helps it move.

9. Day 6 - Exploring Kermit • Goals • Discuss the characteristics of amphibians, vertebrates that can live on land for part of their lives. • Explain that amphibians are ectotherms • Explore how the ability to jump helps a frog survive on land.

10. Day 7 - Still finding Kermit • Goals: • Explore the differences between adult frogs and tadpoles. • Observe the lifecycle of the frog.

11. Day 8 - Scales and claws • Goals: • Recognize the characteristics of reptiles, vertebrates that can live on land for their entire lives. • Explain why reptiles are ectotherms. • Observe and describe the characteristics of eggs through a hands on activity.

12. Day 9 - Scales and Claws • Goals • Explore the connection between animals that can walk up walls or across ceilings. • Explore the challenge of geckos being able to walk up wet surfaces versus dry ones.

13. Day 10 - Birds of a feather • Goals: • Recognize that birds are endotherms. • Describe how birds adaptations allow them to live in many environments. • Explain the adaptations that enable birds to fly.

14. Day 11- Birds of a feather • Goals: • Explore different types of beaks. • Explore how feathers differ. • Look at different types of birds.

15. Day 12 -Mammals • Goals: • Recognize that mammals are endotherms. • Describe the diversity of adaptations that are found in mammals. • Explain that mammals produce milk, which is food for their young. • Make models to show how fat keeps a mammal warm.

16. Day 13 -Mammals • Goals: • Explore different mammalian diets. • Explore different types of mammalian skulls. • Explore the different mammalian habitats.

17. Day 14 - Careers with animals • Goals: • Explore the different professions that are available in the different areas of life sciences. • Guest Speaker: Zoologist from the local zoo.

18. Day 15 - Field Trip to the Zoo • Goals: • Observe the different type of animals discussed over the unit. • Observe their environments. • Complete a zoo scavenger hunt obtained from the local zoo.

19. Backgrounds and Images • www.stlzoo.org • www.lazoo.org