This lesson introduces students to the world of biology.
By 'visiting' a variety of worldwide locations, students have the
opportunity to examine different plants, animals and environments.
This 'worldwide tour' provides information regarding the interdependencies
of plants and animals. It also shows the students the strengths and
vulnerabilities of our earth's environments.
"Setting the Stage" - Before starting the program,
ask the students: What is your favorite animal? What is your favorite
plant? Do you think there are plants and animals all over the world?
Are they the same everywhere? What do you think is the biggest animal
in the world? The smallest?
"Introduction to the Science of Life"
This lesson introduces students to the travels of Sam and Samantha
Bear. Students will 'accompany' Sam and Samantha to various parts
of the world. Through these travels, students are shown many varieties
of plants and animals. Information concerning how different plants
and animals rely upon each other is provided. Additionally, an explanation
of the importance of the roles both plants and animals play in the
balance of our earth's overall environment is discussed.
"Plant or Animal Game"
Touch-screen game - Students are shown a variety of plants
and animals on the Learning Station. Each is represented by an icon
which is activated by the student. Students are asked to determine
if the image shown is a plant or an animal. As each image is chosen,
the image becomes full screen and the plant or animal is described
in greater detail. Touch the screen again to advance to the next icon.
"The Smallest and Largest Birds in the World"
Hands-on activity - Using the preprinted handout (on disk), students
color a picture of the smallest bird in the world - the hummingbird.
There is room on the page for the student to draw an outline of his/her
hand for comparative size. Next, use the preprinted cutouts of the
world's largest bird - the ostrich, to create a life-size mural for
the classroom wall. The cutouts are on numbered pages to assist the
students in putting the image together correctly. Discuss the differences
between the two birds. Are there similarities? Which bird is closer
in size to the student?
"Take a Trip with Sam and Samantha"
Using the FastracKids Life Science Explorer on the Learning Station,
students begin their journey with Sam and Samantha. They visit a variety
of locations throughout the world and observe many different types
of animals, plants and their environments.
Optional activity - Use a world map or globe to locate the
different stops visited. Before the trip begins, a brief overview
of rivers, lakes, oceans, the tundra, forests, and deserts is provided.
Discuss the meanings of the new words and have the students find each
location on the map or globe.
"A Trip to the Amazon"
Touch-screen activity- The first stop on our journey with Sam
and Samantha through the Learning Station is the Amazon rainforest.
Students must guide the Explorer through rocks and other obstacles
to safely reach the rainforest by using the appropriate buttons, i.e.,
left, right and forward.
Videotape activity - The teacher now divides the class into
3 groups. One of these groups will answer questions about their trip
to the Amazon rainforest. The other 2 groups will act as the audience
(the remaining 2 groups will answer questions later about locations
not yet visited). Encourage the audience to think of questions to
ask the Amazon group. Videotape the question and answer segment; encourage
full sentences.
"A Trip to the Sahara Desert"
Continuing the trip on the Learning Station, students now visit the
Sahara Desert. Students must follow directions in order to safely
'fly' the Explorer to the desert. Students are told how to touch the
'lower wings' and 'jet power' buttons to ensure their safe arrival.
(Again, use a map or globe to locate the Sahara Desert. Talk about
the size of the desert on the map; how large it appears compared to
other places on the map.) A short video of the desert is presented.
A variety of animals indigenous to the desert are introduced. Students
use the touch-screen to choose an animal and hear the sound
made by that animal.
Videotape activity - The teacher now selects a second group
to videotape a question and answer session on the Sahara Desert. Encourage
the student audience to ask questions about features of the desert,
and animals and plants living there.
"A Trip to Antarctica"
From the Sahara, our Explorer vehicle now travels to Antarctica. Students
are made aware of the frozen nature of this part of the world. Ocean
animals are presented as the inhabitants of the waters surrounding
this land. Few plants live here. Talk about why. The students are
introduced to the penguin as one of the animals which can survive
in the frigid conditions of Antarctica. A fun counting game allows
the student to count the penguins as they dive off an ice cliff one
by one. Students can either collectively count the penguins, or the
teacher may choose to have the counting done individually.
Videotaping activity - The teacher now asks questions of the
remaining group. Encourage the student audience to ask questions about
the animals that live on Antarctica and in its' surrounding ocean.
"Review of the Climates"
Touch-screen - This is a review the many different plants and
animals which have been introduced to the students during this 'trip.'
On the Learning Station, students match the plant or animal to the
climate in which it lives. Additional details of each plant or animal
are provided. Discuss this new information.
"Make a Diorama"
Hands-on activity - Using the preprinted backgrounds provided
of the 3 locations visited, students are encouraged to make a diorama
to take home. Also provided are preprinted pictures of the plants
and animals introduced to the students at each of the visited locations.
Students choose which location they want to recreate. They must also
choose the correct plants and animals to inhabit their location. Color
and cut out the plants and animals and glue to the appropriate background.
This can be a simple cut and paste activity or a 3-dimensional diorama.
A tab is provided on the bottom of the cut-outs to fold and attach
to the background, if a 3-dimensional image is chosen. Create a diorama
by using stiff paper folded L-shaped or by providing a shoebox in
which backgrounds are glued. Talk about the names of the different
plants and animals and where they are found.
"A Trip to the Great Barrier Reef"
The next location to be visited on the Learning Station is the Great
Barrier Reef. Locate this on the map or globe. Video and pictures
introduce the students to the variety of life that is present under
water. Some students may not realize that certain plants and animals
live under water, so this is a good time to talk about ocean life.
Touch-screen activity - On the Learning Station, an underwater
scene shows what someone who is diving into the ocean might see among
the coral reefs. There are 5 sharks hidden among the coral for the
students to find. As each one is found, touch the shark to highlight
it. Students can count how many sharks are found.
"A Trip to the Rocky Mountains"
As our trip comes to an end, Sam and Samantha decide they want to
go home. For them, home is in the Rocky Mountains of North America.
Locate this mountain range on a map or globe. Pictures of and information
on the plants and animals of this region are introduced. A picture
of a forest is shown containing a variety of animals which make this
mountain forest their home. Students count how many different animals
they find. Can they name these animals? Encourage discussion about
the different animals. Have they ever seen these animals? Why do they
like the forest? Encourage creative thinking and full sentences.
"When You Get Home"
A picture of bears is provided to take home to color, or complete
during free time in class.
Before Students Go Home -Review
Talk about the different locations visited on the Learning Station
Why aren't there very many animals or plants in Antarctica?
What was the students' favorite location visited?
Talk about the abundance of life under water.
What kinds of animals or plants live in the desert?
What kind of climate is in the Amazon rainforest?
Supply List for Activities
"Today I Discovered" - parents handout
preprinted handouts (on disk) of hummingbird to color
preprinted handouts (on disk) of ostrich to assemble as a mural
preprinted backgrounds and corresponding animal cutouts (on disk)
to create dioramas (or simple cut and paste pictures)
(optional) shoeboxes or stiff paper to create dioramas
preprinted handout (on disk) of bears to take home
Videotape
