A Zoo View

Content Standard C: Life Science:
Structure and Function of Living Systems
Reproduction and Heredity
Regulation and Behavior
Populations and Ecosystems
Diversity and Adaptations of Organisms

Content Standard F:
Science in Personal and Social Perspectives:
Populations, Resources, and Environments

1. It is important to protect endangered species.

2. Zoo architecture specializes in design of naturalistic habitats for captive animals.

3. Observing the behavior of animals can provide information about their health and well being.

Students will:

determine the needs of animals in zoos.

determine if the needs of animals in zoos are being met.

rate the performance of zoos based on an assessment of how the zoo is meeting the animals’ needs.

Cross-Curricular Connections:

Language Arts:
• Transcribe interviewee responses and keep journals.

Science:
• Investigate the well-being of animals in a zoo based on habitat and health.

Social Studies:
• Interview zoo keepers and interpret responses using a qualitative rating scale.

Cooperating
Communicating
Comparing
Evaluating
Observing
Researching

Materials:

Per Group
Zoo Review Sheet
Zoo Scale
Internet access
Pad
Pencil

Four 50 minute class periods

1. One class period to introduce topic and lesson.
2. One field trip to a local zoo if possible. One class period for research and working in groups.
3. One class period for analyzing data and rating.
4. One class period for discussion.

Procedure:

Have the cooperative groups do the following:

1. Visit a local zoo and interview a zoo keeper or educator using the Zoo Review Sheet.
   
   
2. If a field trip is not possible, ask a local zoo keeper to visit the class, or use the internet and email the questions to a zoo.
   
   
3. Using the answers to the questions, rate the zoo on the Zoo Scale. While some zoos may answer with an Above Average rating for one question, they may answer with an Average or Below Average rating on other questions. The group must decide the overall rating of the zoo based on what they think is most important for the animals.

Suggested Discussion Questions:

What was the best habitat design for a particular animal in the zoo?

What were some of the zoo’s features that made you rate it as you did?

Was there evidence that the zoo is using best practices for animals?

Design a zoo habitat for your favorite animal.

Research and report on the debate between animal rights groups and zoos and aquariums.

Zoologist
Biologist
Zoo keeper
Environmental scientist
Zoo architect
Journalist
Junior zoo keeper

Assessment Procedures:

Use interview transcriptions.

Have students do reflections in journals while at the zoo.

Use the groups’ Zoo Review Sheet and rating scale.

Participation in class discussion.