Why do animals do what they do? What is the difference between instinct and learned behavior? How do animals communicate? These questions are answered as children examine animal behaviors that help them find food, protect themselves, and care for their young. This videotape correlates to the following National Science Education Standards for Life…

The controversial issue of fur trapping is addressed in this article. It focuses on ways to incorporate humane education into the curriculum, using, for example, values clarification, the biology of the animals, and field trips. (SA)

A roomful of activity--book nook, mini-cinema, creature features--provides an effective and delightful mix of reading and science skills. (Editor)

Presents lessons to stimulate children's interest in science and develop communication skills by having students simulate the locomotion of an ameba, a paramecium, and an Euglena, and the cyclosis in the pondweed Elodea. Students practice communication skills by demonstrating their organism to the remainder of the class. (MDH)

Presented are activities in which students can observe dragonflies in their natural environment, capture them for examination, or make dragonfly models. Background information, directions for a field observation activity and making the models, and benefits of dragonfly study are included. (KR)

Presents an activity that teaches children the language of the honeybee--and which transforms the classroom into a honeybee colony. Children mimic the foraging behavior of honeybees and learn to appreciate the importance of community effort among animals. (PR)

Describes a field study of dragonflies and damselflies. After a bit of background reading and equipped with paper, pencil, insect net, and work sheet in hand, students will come to appreciate the behaviors of these insects as they gain a deeper understanding of the natural world. (PR)

This coloring book showing 31 of New Mexico's wild animals was prepared in conjunction with Project WILD, an environmental and conservation education program for elementary and secondary school students. Each page contains a large line drawing of a wild animal, a brief description of its habitat and behavior, and a range map that indicates the…

Examines the various adaptations, food-getting strategies, and defense mechanisms that mammals have employed in surviving from one season to the next. Contains exercises in simulating animal movements and in identifying animal tracks and habitats. (ML)

Discusses several points that teachers should consider when planning to keep animals in the classroom. Selecting and obtaining the animals, safety and legal considerations, food and feeding, water, housing, day-to-day care, and what to do with animals when a project or school year is over are among the areas examined. (JN)

Describes a sixth grade unit of study on metamorphosis using the silkworm (Bombyx mori). Included are techniques for care and feeding of silkworms; ideas for observations and experiments. (CS)

Discusses a six month project where pre-K-4 students in a music class explored whether humans were the only beings on earth who could sing or were musical. Explains that the music and science teachers collaborated on this project enabling the students to create hypotheses and test their observations on animals' musical abilities. (CMK)

Describes some of the characteristics of various reptiles. Contains teaching activities including making reptile number books and identification keys, flip-ups about cobras, puzzles involving graphing, and group presentations. Includes reproducible handouts to be used with some of the activities. (TW)

Presents descriptive information about carnivores, including a definition and the characteristics. Contains instructions for teaching activities along with reproducible worksheets and handouts. (TW)

Presents information on some of the unusual mammal groups, such as platypuses, kangaroos, anteaters, and armadillos. Characteristics of these animals are given and teaching activities are described, including "Oddball Options,""Pocket Pals," and "Fact and Fancy." A reproducible handout for "Oddball Options" is included. (TW)