Submitted by: Jean LaLonde

Subject and Grade Level:

Science 7th Grade

Creative Descriptive Title:

Humans and Wolves: Peas in a Pod

Purpose (why you are teaching this particular unit):

The purpose is for students to gain knowledge of a fellow predator and to become aware of the integral part that all living things play in the world.

Overview of Content:

Similarities between wolves and humns

family vs. pack

friends vs. hierarchy of pack

communication and interpretation

*Middle school students need to see things from other points of view.

Estimated Time Commitment:

The time involved could be 1-3 weeks. This content might be presented in unison with a unit on interactions of living things.

Learner Expectations (Desired Results):

The Learning Expectations would be both content and attitudinal. Content: Students will be able to express in writing the importance for understanding the relationship that humans share with wolves and all living things.

Activities and Procedures:

Similarities to humans vs. differences.

Similarities -     Metaphor Wardrobe (sweater, raincoat cup ears, etc.)

 -     Body language/ vocabulary of peer group.

Differences-     Survival Activity

Radis callors (more a similarity - “Tethering”)

Drawing of Venn diagram showing differences/similarities.

Resources/Materials:

-Wolf Info form International Wolf Center

-Websites

-Books/Sites on human, nonverbal communication

Closure-Tying it all together with real-world application:

Role-play: Family vs. pack situations, Draw from teacher-produced set of cards, based on goals and outcomes of the unit.

Performance Assessment Strategies:

Above role-play would be part of assessment.

Written TP on compare/contrast human/wolf behavior.

Interview a classmate and report on their feeling about human effects on environment (Boss vs. Coworker).

Standards/Benchmarks Addressed:

Knowledge in Science- Interrelationships of Living Things in Ecosystems.

Mathematics- Patterns and Relationships.

Social Studies- Human/Environmental Interactions.

Language Arts- Craft of Language, Inquiry and Research.