Animal Behavior Lesson Plans

Young scholars observe animal behaviors and record their observations. In this animal behavior lesson students record animal behaviors at specific intervals of time using an ethogram. Young scholars may first practice an ethogram using a classmate. Students reflect on the animal behaviors they have observed.

Students examine how to develop and conduct scientific investigations of animal behavior. In this animal behavior lesson students view a video, play an interactive game and complete a lab exercise. 

Students investigate a variety of animal behaviors, examine various modes of animal communication, and develop a catalog analyzing, interpreting, and reporting their results.

Young scholars discover the differences between instinctual and learned behaviors through the analysis of an animal's diet, habitat and behaviors. They view a video showing animal behaviors and discuss which ones are learned or instincts then, in small groups, choose and research an animal not shown in the video.

Students engage in a lab that focuses on animal behavior in an open ended inquiry based laboratory experience. They build an ethogram, display a transition matrix and analyze a Markov Chain. They remove wings from the drosophila and synthesize their data.

Students examine animal behaviors. In this field study lesson, students review animal behaviors that help them survive and reproduce. They observe the behavior of an animal and report their findings. The lesson is created for Alaskan wildlife but can easily be adapted for any region.

Students participate in a game of charades to examine different animal behaviors. After reading an article, they discuss why bees waggle and how that behavior applies to humans. They research the behaviors of an animal of interest to them and notes that behaviors importance.

Fourth graders create an animal slide show. In this classification lesson students research one particular animal. The students rely upon computer skills to produce a slide show on the animal that they researched.

Students take a trip to the zoo, they observe an animal that interest them. They find out information about the animal such as: Common Name, Scientific Name, Habitat, diet and range. Students make an outline, drawing, diorama, or model of the animal's enclosure or exhibit.

Second graders explore animal behaviors and adaptations by researching several different animals and their habitats.