THE ECOSYSTEM CONNECTION GUIDE FOR CHAPERONES AND TEACHERS GRADES K-5 2016-2017 WINTER SCHEDULE (DEC 2016 JAN 2017) HOW IS YOUR SCHOOL LIKE A WILD ECOSYSTEM? There are many different ways that people, plants and animals depend on one another within ecosystems. The place in which a person, a plant or animal lives may provide for the needs of the person, plant or animal - whether that place is a natural, wild ecosystem or a schoolyard! Visit two or more of the exhibit areas and programs suggested below with your students. Students should be making observations and gathering evidence to help them discuss the question above along the way. Students should come away from their zoo visit with evidence to support their explanations that help to answer the driving question. The class can engage in discussions about the question back in the classroom. SUGGESTED ZOO PROGRAMS, EXHIBITS AND EXPERIENCES Check off the experiences, programs or exhibits you complete! Program Experience Type and Description Exploration station with zoo volunteers Location (see map) Look for the cart within Tropical Asia: Trail of Vines. Days Offered Thur & Fri Time 1 Tropical Asia Discovery Cart * Join zoo docents in an exploration of nature s balance and tools of survival. In these hands-on programs featuring exhibits, biofacts, and fun-filled games, you ll have an opportunity to pursue questions and passions. 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.; stop by for any length of time 2 Animal Encounter Cart* Exploration station with zoo volunteers Here s your chance to meet a lizard, snake or other small zoo animal upclose. Ask questions, get a close look, and sometimes even get a chance to touch an amazing animal such as a snake, a tortoise, or a wide array of other beautiful and fascinating critters. Look for the Animal Encounters cart in the Day Exhibit. Thur & Fri 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.; stop by for any length of time 3 African Savanna Discovery Cart * Exploration station with zoo volunteers Join zoo docents in an exploration of nature s balance and tools of survival. In these hands-on programs featuring exhibits, biofacts, and fun-filled games, you ll have an opportunity to pursue questions and passions. Look for the cart within the African Savanna. Thurs & Fri 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.; stop by for any length of time 5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103 ph 206.548.2500 fax 206.548.1536 www.zoo.org
4 5 6 Program Pop-up Raptor Programs Observe at the brown bear exhibit Observe at the zebra, giraffe, hippo and African lion exhibits Experience Type and Description Short program with zoo staff Raptors gotta fly! Due to planned construction projects at the Raptor Center over the 2016-2017 school year, our zookeepers will be keeping these majestic birds in healthy condition by flying them when and where they can. Self-guided observation The zoo's two brown bears are grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis), a subspecies of brown bears. Several overlooks in the Northern Trail provide fantastic views of the bears ambling over ground and through streams. Inside the Taiga Viewing Shelter, watch the bears swim in their pool and try to catch live trout. Self-guided observation The vast grasslands of East Africa support huge varieties of animals, from predators such as lions, to large herbivores including giraffe, hippos, and zebras. Our African Savanna exhibit showcases these remarkable species that exist on these shrinking wild grasslands. Location (see map) Check at the zoo entry when you arrive to see if there will be a raptor program and to learn its time and location. Woodland Park Zoo s brown bears can be viewed from a number of locations within the Northern Trail Woodland Park Zoo s zebras, giraffes, hippos and African lions can be viewed from various overlooks around the African Savanna Days Offered Varies (check at zoo entry upon arrival) Any day Any day Time Programs run for 10 to 20 minutes Any time during zoo hours Any time during zoo hours * Please note that Discovery Carts and Animal Encounter carts are subject to volunteer availability and may or may not be available on all days or times indicated. Page 2
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NGSS CROSS-CUTTING CONCEPTS PATTERNS - To encourage students to apply the concept of patterns, ask the following questions before, during or after observing programs or exhibits: GRADES K-2: How are plants and animals alike? How are they different? What are the similarities between what plants and animals need to survive? How do a plant's or animal's needs change as it moves from being young to being an adult? GRADES 3-5: How are the life cycles of plants and animals similar? How are they different? What are the similarities between what plants, animals and people need to survive? How do a plant's or animal's needs change as it moves from being young to being an adult? How does the plant's or animal's ecosystem provide for its different needs? CAUSE AND EFFECT - To encourage students to apply the concept of cause and effect, ask the following questions before, during or after observing programs or exhibits: GRADES K-2 and GRADES 3-5: Can you observe any birds that eat fruit? What happens to the seeds in the fruit after the birds eat the fruit? Do you observe any butterflies or other insects on flowers? Can you observe if they have any pollen on them? What happens when pollen moves from one flower to another? SYSTEMS AND SYSTEM MODELS - To encourage students to apply the concept of systems, ask the following questions before, during or after observing programs or exhibits: GRADES K-2 and GRADES 3-5: How do animals obtain food in a wild ecosystem? How can animals obtain food in a city? Page 4
FURTHER QUESTIONS: Record any further questions students have related to the driving question. These can be good starting points for further investigation. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) FURTHER CONNECTIONS TO NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS NGSS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING PRACTICES By making observations, gathering evidence and engaging in discussion about the driving question above, development of the following scientific practices can be supported by connecting your zoo visit with classroom learning: SCIENCE PRACTICE Developing and Using Models Analyzing and Interpreting Data Engaging in Argument From Evidence 3,4 Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information 1 GRADES identified in corresponding Performance Expectation K,2,3,5 K Page 5
NGSS DISCPLINARY CORE IDEAS By making observations, gathering evidence and engaging in discussion about the driving question above, understanding of the following discliplinary core ideas in Life Sciences and Earth & Space Sciences can be supported by connecting your zoo visit with classroom learning: LIFE SCIENCES LS1.A: Structure and Function 4 LS1.B: Growth and Development of Organisms 1,3 LS1.C: Organization for Matter and Energy Flow in Organisms LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships In Ecosystems 2,5 LS2.B: Cycles of Matter and Engery Transfers in Ecosystems LS3.A: Inheritance of Traits 1 LS3.B: Variation of Traits 1 LS4.C: Adaptation 3 GRADES identified in corresponding Performance Expectation K 5 EARTH & SPACE SCIENCES ESS3.A: Natural Resources GRADES identified in corresponding Performance Expectation K Page 6