Teaching how animals form groups to help members survive? Use reading passages to learn about groups. Then compare.
Posts on this website follow a teaching journey and are written in story form.
Ms. Sanchez Teaches How Animals Form Groups
Our favorite third grade teacher stood in front of her class. “Let’s continue our life science unit,” she said. “You may have noticed that animals form groups. Over the next few days, we’ll learn how this helps them survive.”
Names of Groups of Animals
“But before we do that, let’s explore names of animal groups.”
She distributed three pages of names to each table of students. Before long, she heard them commenting. “A coalition of cheetahs? A bloat of hippopotamuses?” Giggles filled the classroom.
After they’d had time to read through the pages, Ms. Sanchez distributed a worksheet. “Work together to explain how each may have gotten its name. For example, how did people come up with this term: a cauldron of bats.”
The students got busy on the worksheet. Before long, they had finished.
Reading How Animals Form Groups
The next day, Ms. Sanchez displayed an anchor chart. “Back to our discussion of how animals form groups,” she said. “Here’s an example. Fish swim in groups called schools to protect themselves against predators. When the members of the school use similar positions and movement, they look like one big animal.” She pointed to the picture.
“Today, each of you will read a passage about one type of animals. You’ll read how they form groups to help members survive in their ecosystems.” As she spoke, Ms. Sanchez handed out a worksheet and one-page reading passages:
- Canadian geese
- Chimpanzees
- Dolphins
- Elephants
- Meerkats
- Penguins
- White-browed sparrow weavers
- Wolves
- Zebras
Soon, everyone was busy reading. “As you read,” their teacher said, “list the main ways your animal group helps members survive on your worksheet.”
Comparing How Animal Groups Protect Members
When they were finished, Ms. Sanchez assigned them to groups of three. In each group, kids had read different passages.
“Before we begin,” the teacher said, “you may choose one of the animal group names for your science group.” This, of course, was greeted with squeals of excitement.
Next, Ms. Sanchez handed out a worksheet and Venn diagram. “After you’ve chosen your group name, discuss how animal groups form groups to help members survive. Use yesterday’s worksheet as a guide. If one of your partners’ animal groups does the same thing yours does, put an asterisk by it. List new ways you hear about at the bottom. Then, when you’re finished, compare and contrast by listing the strategies on the Venn diagram.
Culminating with Writing
The following day, Ms. Sanchez asked the students to take out their worksheets. “Now,” she said, “you’ll do a bit of writing. First, write a topic sentence. It should state that animals form groups to help members survive. Second, support that claim with evidence from your group’s discussion.
Although the teacher heard a few groans, most students quickly began writing. Before too long, even her reluctant writers had taken pencil to paper. “This isn’t too hard,” she heard one child say.
Enjoy Teaching
As she wandered around the room, Ms. Sanchez smiled. When she integrated ELA and science, she always came up with a seriously fun science activity.
