Grades K to 12
Activity Guides contain teacher background information and exhibit-based activities or projects designed to help students discover, observe, and learn cooperatively. Guides are available to download for free before your visit so that you can make copies for your students and chaperones. If you need additional assistance,
email us.
Activity guides are available on the following topics:
Amazonia Tropical Rainforest
Grades K to 4; 5 to 8; 9 to 12
Students will learn about the Amazon rainforest by collecting data on giant river fish, the flooded forest, and tropical plants.
Order
nowApes: Large and Small
Grades K to 4; 5 to 8
What's the difference between a monkey and an ape? What makes a gibbon such a good swinger? Which ape species eats meat? These are a few of the questions your students will be challenged to explore in this guide to the Great Ape House and Gibbon Ridge.
Backyard Biology
Grades K to 4; 5 to 8; 9 to 12
Students will ponder the question "What's wild in the city?" as they explore the Zoo through our "Backyard Biology" sign series. This guide introduces the positive and negative interactions between humans and urban wildlife, such as squirrels, white-tailed deer, and bees.
Birds
Grades K to 4; 5 to 8
Cast your students as bird watchers! Activities will help them to examine how birds' beaks, feet, nests, and colors reflect adaptations to different environments.
Coverings
Grades K to 4
This guide has been developed for use at the top end of the park, from Asia Trail to the Bird House. It will guide your students in observing and examining the different coverings found on mammals, birds, and reptiles and how these coverings help animals survive in various habitats.
Invertebrates
Grades K to 4; 5 to 8
Students will observe and record information on lobsters, anemones, crabs, and insects as they learn about this diverse group of animals.
Kids' Farm
Grades Pre-K to 4
Caring for animals takes time, dedication, and patience. The ingredients for the food you eat come from a farm. This guide for young students includes activities about animals and crops.
Large Mammals
Grades K to 4; 5 to 8
There are obvious advantages to being large, but are there disadvantages as well? Your students will investigate this topic and others as they explore the world of the Zoo's large mammals: the elephant, the hippopotamus, and the Przewalski’s horse.
North American Animals
Grades K to 4; 5 to 8
This guide examines the adaptations and conservation issues related to animals found in North America. Students will use interactive exhibits while observing live animals.
Small Mammals
Grades K to 4; 5 to 8
From prehensile-tailed porcupines to naked mole-rats, students will learn about the adaptations of small mammals and where they live—in the trees, on the ground, or underground.
Biological Research
Behavior Watch
Grades 3 to 12
Involve students in observing and documenting animal behavior! This guide contains detailed information on how to plan grade-appropriate projects, along with instructions for students about collecting, analyzing, and reporting their data and results.
Student Research Projects at the Zoo
Grades 5 to 12
This guide will start you and your students on the way towards conducting real research at the Zoo. Contains suggestions for basic projects in three general research areas: animal interactions and enclosures; visitor interests and attitudes; and the effect of wild animal visitors (such as migrating birds, yellow jackets, and white-tailed deer) on Zoo animals and visitors. Clear instructions on research design, data collection, and results analysis are provided.
