STAGING
Why do dogs wag their tails?

Why do dogs wag their tails?

Scroll for prep
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen

DISCUSS:

Why do you think it might be helpful for dogs to communicate with each other (like wagging their tails or rolling on their backs)?

Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen

DISCUSS (1 of 2):

Which other kinds of animals can you think of that live in groups?

Here are some animals we came up with:

Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen

DISCUSS (2 of 2):

How might living in groups be helpful for animals?

Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
# Extensions
Below are ideas for extending this topic beyond the Exploration and Activity you just completed.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
# Activity
  • Dance Like a Bee: Bees live by the hundreds in hives, setting out each day in search of nectar. When a bee finds food, it heads back to the hive and tells the other bees all about it. How? By wiggling its body in patterns that tell the bees where to find the flowers.

  • Watch this video (1:50) to see a bee’s “waggle dance,” and then see how good you are at dancing like a bee with this activity from the New Jersey Agricultural Society. (Grades 3–5)

Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
# Reading: Ants to the Rescue!

Readings from Newselaare free with registration. They’re available in English or Spanish and can be adjusted for reading level. Writing prompts and quiz questions are available for many readings.

  • Most insects don’t help each other if they get into trouble. Matabele ants from Africa, though, are different. They’ve developed a way to get rescued if they’re hurt. Read about how they work together in this article. (Grade 3)
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
# Video: Safety in Numbers
  • A crow on its own might make an easy meal for a big, strong bald eagle. But as you can see here, a group of crows (called a “murder” of crows) can work together to chase an eagle away. (1:23, TheLivingWilderness)

  • Most big birds are not built to fight in the air. Smaller birds that can fly faster and change direction more quickly can often avoid them. Big groups of small birds can be even more effective. See how sticking together helps this huge flock of birds escape a falcon on the hunt. (2:40, BBC)

Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen

Activity Prep

Print Prep

In this lesson, students discover why dogs’ expressions, like tail wagging, are so useful when living in a pack. In the activity, Field Journal, students watch videos of different animals that live in groups to simulate observing them in their natural habitats. They discuss and record their observations, and construct an explanation of how living in groups helps these animals survive.

Preview activity

Exploration

15 mins

Wrap-Up

5 mins

Extend this lesson

Download this Lesson to your device so you can play it offline: