Introduction Task Procedure Evaluation Conclusion
Observing Animal Behavior
Have you ever seen a deer as you were driving down the highway, or watched squirrels gathering nuts in the fall. Maybe you have seen baby ducks swimming behind their mother in the spring. Animals and people share the world. Observing animals can be fun. This web quest will help you develop skills in observation as you have a chance to view animals from ants- zebras being themselves.
Observation is the first step in the scientific process. Sometimes scientists use video to help them study the behaviors of the animals they are studying. With the video the scientist can see the animal with different perspectives. They can replay an event, watch it in fast or slow motion freeze the action and other technical things that help in their research.
This web quest will provide you with an opportunity to view video clips and make observations of animals behaving in their natural habitat.
How to use a video clip for scientific observations
Observation is the first step in the scientific process and scientists even use video to help them with direct observation. With a video they can replay an event, watch it in fast or slow motion, make time lapse observations, zoom in to focus more closely or freeze the frame. By using video clips you will have the opportunity to make scientific observations just like a scientist does.
Here are the steps that you, the scientist will use
Step 1) Watch the video and write down what you notice on your observation form.
Step 2) Play the clip 2 or 3 times. Write down everything that you notice.
Step 3) As you view the video what questions come to mind. Write the questions down.
Step 4) Each individual sees things differently. Get together with the other scientists in the class and compare notes. As a group watch the clips again.
Step 5) After observing events scientists try to explain what they have seen by forming a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a possible explanation. How do you think your observations can be explained? Form a hypothesis.
Step 6) After making a hypothesis, a scientist tests it with an experiment. Can you make up an experiment to test your hypothesis?
Your task will be to view some video clips of different animals and record what you see on the Observation Log. Your job is to gather information and ideas about different animals by using your observational skills. After studying several different animals you will pick your favorite, research them and create a story about the animal. (Print 4 copies of the Observational Log now) You will begin the project on your own by completing the observations. when all the observations are complete you will get together in groups of those studying the same animal to compare notes and do further research. When the research is completed each person will write a creative story of their own.
OBSERVATION:
Watch the video clip from the "Creature Feature" and fill out the observation guide. Pay close attention to what the animal is doing, the environment and the animals physical looks. Watch the clip over again and right down the questions that you have. Repeat this process with any other video clips provided. Now click on the live zoo cams to observe the animals live, at the zoo. Observe the animal for at least 5 minutes. Write down what the animal is doing for each minute that you observe them and also each time they change activities. Keep track of the time. Remember that this is a live observation and the animal may not be very active or in range of the camera and you may have to do this activity at another time.
Review how to use video clips for observation
Choose an animal
Chimpanzee Hippo Quest Polar Bear Creature Feature
Chimp Creature Feature Hippo Creature Feature Polar Bear Cam Ape Cam SD Zoo Cam (apes) Polar bear clips Clips 2
Panda Creature Feature Giraffe Creature Feature Shark Creature Feature
SD Zoo Panda cam Giraffe Cam Shark Cam
Zoo Cam Panda Cam Zoo Cam (Giraffe) Outer reef cam
RESEARCH: Go to NATURE Critter Guide and look up the animal you choose. Also use the Creature Feature websites listed above. You may also use the website links listed below to find out information about your animal. Take notes about diet, habitat, behaviors and anything else you find interesting.
Giraffe Facts Panda Facts Polar Bear Facts Hippo Facts Chimp Facts Shark Facts
Giraffes Giant Pandas Polar Bears Hippopotamus Chimpanzee Sharks
Collect information:
Your job is to gather information about the animal you have observed. Your research will include finding information about what foods the animal eats (Diet), and where they live (habitat). You will also want to find out information about the way the animal acts in different situations (behavior). As you do your research pay attention to things such as the weather and seasons of the year as well as other changes in the habitat. Another part of your research is to describe the looks (physical characteristics) of the animal and draw a picture.
1) Divide a large sheet of white paper into three parts by folding it. Label one section "diet", one "habitat", and the other "behaviors".
2) As you research your animal write information about the diet, habitat, and behavior under the headings. If you want you may draw pictures to help you remember.
Summarize the Information:
1) Research your animal to discover about the foods that your chosen animal eats and then write a brief description of their diet. Consider how the diet changes as the animal grows and how the environment changes. Draw a picture of the animal eating.
2) Research the animal and the habitat in which the animal lives. List the characteristics of the environment and write a brief description of their habitat. Draw a picture of the animals home.
3) Under the section labeled behavior make a list of all of the behaviors you can find about your chosen animal. Which do you think are instinctive and which do you think are learned? On your chart identify each.
4) Now think about these questions:
How did your animal acquire each behavior?
Are any of the behaviors linked to it's habitat or the climate it lives in?
Do the animals physical characteristics help it in any way?
Write a paragraph or two answering some or all of these questions.
5) Using your research as a guide, compose a creative story about your chosen animal. Your story should include information about the animals diet, habitat that it lives in and it's behaviors.
| Observation Log | Illustrations | Diet & Habitat | Behaviors | Creative Story | |
| 1point | Answered the questions | Picture is included | A list of the diet was completed | A list of behaviors is included | Story is written about the animal observed. |
| 2points | Used good describing words | Used details in the artwork | A description of the diet and habitat is included | The behaviors are labeled as learned or instinctive. | The story uses the information obtained from the research. |
| 3points | Observed and recorded details | Shows effort | The descriptions are written in paragraph form and contain at least 4 sentences. | The questions are answered with information to support the students ideas. | Story has a beginning, middle, end and a plot |
Observation is a valuable skill to develop. By being observant a person is able to learn many new things about their world. Animals are interesting to observe and by observing them we can see how an animal uses behavior to help them live within their environment, and also how an animals physical characteristics help them to survive.