Virtual Field Trip: Birmingham Zoo
African Savanna
Hello, Future Zoologists!
We are going to be learning about the African savanna!
About This Field Trip:
During this field trip, we will be covering various animals which live in the African savanna. These animals consist of giraffes, elephants, zebras, and rhinos. As you go through this virtual field trip, you will learn about these different animals. The purpose is to give you a familiarity of different biomes around the world.
Stop 1:
Giraffes
Stop 2: Elephants
Stop 3: Zebras
Madison Harpell, 2018
First Stop
Giraffes!
Giraffe
Giraffes are the tallest mammals on earth. They only need 5-30 minutes of sleep each day and they sleep standing up! They get most of their water from the plants that they eat so they only need to drink water every couple of days. They need to eat over 75 pounds of food each day which consists mostly of plants and leaves. Their tongues can be up to 20 inches long!
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/g/giraffe/
Elephant
Elephants are the largest land animals! They spend about 15 hours a day eating grass, plants, and fruit. They have large, floppy ears, and large tusks made of ivory. Their tusks never stop growing so you can tell their age by the size of them. Their most distinguishing feature has to be their trunks which can measure up to 7 feet long! Sadly, elephants are hunted for their ivory tusks making them listed as vulnerable, at risk of becoming endangered.
https://www.livescience.com/27320-elephants.html
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/african-elephant/#african-elephant-mud-family-baby.jpg
Zebra
Zebras are in the same family as horses. Their main distinctive characteristics are the black and white stripes on their coat. Zebras are herbivores which means that they only eat plants. They travel in herds until they are between one and three years old and are able to fend for themselves.
https://defenders.org/zebra/basic-facts
https://animalcorner.co.uk/animals/zebras/
Assignment
Choose one of the African savanna animals you learned about in this virtual field trip, or pick another African savanna animal to research more about and create an online presentation, using Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Prezi, about your chosen animal.
Lesson Plan
Grade Level: Second Grade
Subject/Topic: Animals of the African savanna
Materials: Internet browser, the book, Giraffe Meets Bird by Rebecca Bender, Wix website,
Standards:
Obtain information from literature and other media to illustrate that there are many different kinds of living things and that they exist in different places on land and in water (e.g., woodland, tundra, desert, rainforest, ocean, river).
Identify safe use of technology systems and applications.
Use digital tools to access and retrieve information.
Practice responsible use of technology systems and applications.
Objectives: The students will become more proficient in using online resources.
The students will learn about animals that live in the African savanna.
The students will create an online presentation.
Introduction: Hi class! Today we will be going to the African savanna! We will begin by reading the book, Giraffe Meets Bird, by Rebecca Bender, to get ready to learn about the animals of the African savanna. Has anyone ever heard of the giraffe? Do you know where giraffes live?
Activities/Procedures: Since we cannot actually go to the African savanna, you will all be taking a virtual tour of it. I have designed a website which guides you through the various animals that you will be learning about today. There are links to websites to give you extra information if you need it. At the end of the tour, there will be an activity for you to complete.
Main Activities Assessment: While completing this assignment, keep in mind that you must utilize sources to gather information. I have linked some websites for you to use to learn more about the giraffe, elephant, and zebra, but if you would like to use a different animal for your project, you will need to find your own resources.
Rubric: http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php?screen=CustomizeTemplateDownloadFile&
Resources: https://alex.state.al.us/
