The National Zoological Park
Smithsonian Institution
3001 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20008
(202) 673-4800 (Recorded Info)
(202) 673-4989 (Group Tours)
Instructional Unit:
This field trip will introduce students to various zoo animals and help them to better understand the animals and their environment.
Curriculum Unit:
Grade 1
Science
Objectives:
The students will be able to:
1. Recognize and identify animals that live in the zoo.
2. Identify the habitats within the zoo and what animals live there.
3. Identify eating habits of the animals.
4. Observe and compare behaviors of the animals.
Pre-Visit Activities:
1. The National Zoo Office of Education should be contacted to inquire about information such as books, brochures, or films that may be available to use before going to the zoo. These will help prepare the class for the kinds of things they will be seeing.
2. FONZ (Friends Of The National Zoo) should also be contacted for similar types of information.
3. Parents will be contacted to volunteer as chaperones, and students will be divided into small groups of no more than 4 students per adult.
4. Information sheets informing the parents about trip information and permission slips will be sent home.
5. Class discussions will be conducted after viewing films or videos obtained from the zoo and to discuss what will be seen there.
6. Information on feeding times of the animals will be obtained from the zoo in order for students to observe these and other special demonstrations.
7. A meeting will be held with parent volunteers to go over the on-site activities.
On-Site Activities:
1. Each child and adult will be supplied with a map, worksheet, and pencil as well as a schedule of the special demonstrations. The groups will follow the map to the various areas. At each area as the students observe the different animals, they will answer questions about the food, habitat, and behavior of the animals. This can be discussed within the groups and the worksheet will be filled out.
2. Groups should try to get to as many of the zoo programs and areas as possible. Any extra time can be spent at favorite areas, i.e., exhibits, gift shops, restrooms, etc.. A set time and place will be made for lunch and for leaving the zoo.
Follow-Up Activities:
1. A class discussion of the students' feelings about the trip will be held. At this time there will be a discussion about the worksheets and other information that the students obtained on the trip.
2. The students will draw a mural on rolled out newsprint depicting various scenes at the zoo. This will be displayed on the wall outside the classroom to share the experience with parents, teachers, and other students.
3. The students will make dioramas showing the animals within their zoo habitat.
4. The students will help write a class book on the experience. Pictures taken at the zoo will be put into sequence. Each student will choose a picture and write a sentence or two describing the pictures. The descriptions and pictures will be put together to form the class book.
5. A learning center will be made in the classroom with activities about the zoo and zoo animals to enable the students to continue their learning experience. Some activities that might be included in this center are:
6. Choose a picture and write a story about your favorite animal.
7. Read about the zoo. (Information from FONZ will be used as well as other books)
8. Match the animals to their footprints, using the footprints path at the zoo.
9. Match the animals to their habitat.
Appendices:
None
Bibliography:
None
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