Lions and Tigers and Bears Oh My!

Time Frame: Field Trip and Discussion after

Tools:
Poster Board
Print out pictures of animals and their footprints (preferably
animals that are featured in the zoo)
Glue
Marker
The Main Objectives:
Goals
Students will explore the community resources around
their local area (Potter Park Zoo)
Students will observe the animals around the zoo
Students will reflect on their experience at the zoo
Students will learn about the footprints of certain animals
Students will be able to identify the footprints of certain
animals
Lesson Plan:
Before You Start The Lesson:
Print out pictures of animals and their corresponding
footprints. Tape the pictures of the animals on the poster board
and draw lines to separate the pictures so there is space on the
bottom of each picture to put their footprint on. Tape the
footprints on the ground in an area where the students wont
see (you can tape them when you come back from the trip).
Lesson:

Take students to the Potter Park Zoo and engage students

in the event. Remind students to pay attention to the animals
they see and have fun!
When the students come back from the trip have, reflect
on what they learned/saw/felt about the trip. Discuss with the
class about their experience and what they liked and disliked
and reflect. Talk with the students about the animals they saw
and the variety of animals they saw.
Next start the group activity and have students group
together to the floor. Compare their observations to the
animals they saw in order to transition to the topic of their
unique footprints.
Bring out the poster board of the animals and discuss with
the class why their footprints would be different and how to
identify each animals footprint.
Next, have students one at a time goes to the area where
the footprints are and choose one to take from the ground.
When they bring the footprint back have them analyze the
footprint and choose what animal it belongs to. Then have
them glue the footprint in the column under the animal picture.
Repeat this until all of the students have gone and then reflect
on what they learned and compare that to what they learned
from the trip.