Introduction to Wolves and Coyotes

Teacher's Guide

Created by Mike Schaefer

Email Mike

Project Web Page Coordinator  Patti Greenleaf

Introduction

This lesson plan was developed as part of the Amphitheater School District Technology Literacy Challenge Fund grant. The purpose of the program is to provide teachers with a way of learning about technology and in turn provide students with the best teaching practices and curriculum through technology. This lesson plan was developed as part of the program's TLCF Science Guides, which are a series of web-based lessons designed by teachers to provide students with on-line educational opportunities in the area of science.

Disclaimer: While every precaution was taken to insure the integrity of the sites included in this lesson plan, with the dynamic nature of the World Wide Web sites can constantly change. Teachers are advised to view the sites before conducting a lesson with their students.

 This lesson is designed to introduce students to wolves and coyotes.  It will take them to sites on the Internet that show pictures and tell basic facts about these mammals.  Parts of the written information may be too difficult for the students, but they will be able to read at least some of it.  They will be exposed to some basic information that the teacher can expand on more in the classroom. I think students will find the lesson and  activities to be not only interesting, but fun and exciting.

Lesson Objectives

Arizona State Science Standards

Standard 2: History and Nature of Science
FOUNDATIONS (Grades 1-3)
2SC-F3. Understand that science involves asking and answering
                         questions and comparing the results to what is already known
                         PO 1. Explain how asking and answering questions are part of the
                         process of a scientific investigation

                         PO 2. Compare prior knowledge to the results of a scientific
                         investigation

Standard 4: Life Science
FOUNDATIONS (Grades 1-3)
4SC-F3. Identify the basic structures and functions of plants and animals
                         PO 1. Identify basic animal structures

                         PO 2. Describe the functions of basic animal structures

4SC-F4. Identify characteristics of plants and animals (including extinct
                         organisms) that allow them to live in specific environments

                      PO 1. Identify adaptations of plants that allow them to live in
                         specific environments

                         PO 2. Identify adaptations of animals that allow them to live in
                         specific environments
 
 
 

Materials

  1. Computer lab.
  2. Paper or worksheets and writing utensils for students
  3. Access to the Internet for each computer
  4. LiveAudio 1.01 (optional -- to listen to wolf and coyote sounds)  To download it for free click here.  For more information about LiveAudio click here.

Student Activity One: Coyotes

In this activity students will visit various sites on the internet to gather information about coyotes.  All of the links take them to pictures of coyotes.  It will be the students' job to take notes on what they observe, so that they can share it with others.  I have made a worksheet that they can use.  Just click on the link and then print it out.  It may also be a good idea to do a KWL chart with the class before -- or even after -- doing the activity.  This will help to give them an introduction and focus.  I have made a KWL chart worksheet that you are welcome to use.  Just click on the link and print it out. I have also included a link to site that has many Native American Indian folktales about coyotes.  This is a great literature connection that you can use to enhance the lesson.

Links to sites in this activity.

    1. Five Great Pictures
    2. Coyotes in Snow
    3. Three Pictures from Yellowstone National Park
    4. Two more from Yellowstone
    5. One Good Picture
    6. One Picture and Coyote Tracks
    7. More Snow Pictures
    8. More Pictures and what coyotes SOUND Like
    9. Another Good Picture
    10. One More Good Picture
    11. Listen to a Coyote Howl
    12. One Picture and a Map of where Coyotes Live

Student Activity Two: Wolves

This activity is identical to the first one, except the subject  is now wolves instead of coyotes.  In this activity students will visit various sites on the internet to gather information about wolves.  All of the links take them to pictures of wolves.  It will be the students' job to take notes on what they observe, so that they can share it with others.  I have made a worksheet that they can use.  Just click on the link and then print it out.  With this activity too, it may be a good idea to do a KWL chart with the class before -- or even after -- doing the activity.  This will help to give them an introduction and focus.  I have made a KWL chart worksheet that you are welcome to use.  Just click on the link and print it out. I have also included a link to a  brainteaser game about wolves.  If there is time, you can let your students try it.  It is difficult but fun.

Links to sites in this activity.
Many of these sites come from the White Wolves Wolf Page

  1. Denver Zoo Arctic Wolves
  2. Many Great Wolf Pictures
  3. HEAR How a Wolf  Howl SOUNDS!
  4. Pictures from the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington
  5. More Pictures of Wolves
  6. Gallery of Wolf SOUNDS
  7. Wolf Puppies

Student Activity Three: Comparing Coyotes and Wolves

In this activity, students will gather specific information about the two mammals and then use a venn diagram to compare and contrast them.  I have made  a worksheet of the venn diagram that you are welcome to use.  Just click on the  link and print it out.

Links to sites in this activity.

    Sites with Wolf Facts
    1. Wolf Wisdom
    2. Wolf Facts


    Sites with Coyote Facts

    1. Coyote Facts with Pictures
    2. More Coyote Facts
    3. Even More Coyote Facts

Performance Standards

Grading Standards will be found at each student activity. 

 

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