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Benefits of Schools

Grupo de peces con cuerpos angostos y plateados, nadando sobre un arrecife de coral debajo del agua.

Topic

  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Animal Behavior
  • Zoology
  • Scientific Skills & Literacy
  • Explanations & Argumentation

Resource Type

  • Activities
  • Phenomenal Images

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IB
Saved By
11 Users
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View in Spanish

Description

This activity explores images of animals that live in groups, which serve as phenomena for learning about animal behavior.

Being in a group can have many advantages for animals. The images show three types of animals — fish, elephants, and honey bees — that benefit from group behavior. Certain fish, including the ones in the image, form coordinated groups called schools. Swimming in a school helps fish avoid predators and use less energy than when swimming alone. Elephants form herds made up of related females and their young. The elephants in a herd move together under the leadership of the oldest female, or matriarch. Honey bees live in hives that contain mostly female worker bees, a few male drones, and a single queen (shown in the image). Each type of bee has a different role; the queen in particular specializes in reproduction.

The “Educator Materials” document includes background information and implementation suggestions for using the images as phenomena. The “Student Handout” includes the images and background information.

“Benefits of Schools”/“Fish” image by Alexander Semenov, Moscow State University “Following the Matriarch”/“Elephants” image by Jeff Trollip, Gorongosa National Park “Single Mother”/“Bee” image by Alex Wild, Alex Wild Photography

Student Learning Targets

  • Examine images of phenomena, make observations, and ask questions.

  • Collaborate with peers on ideas, ask questions that require higher levels of reasoning, and develop deeper understanding of concepts.

  • Explain how group behavior can increase an individual’s chances of survival and reproduction, and ultimately benefit a species.

Estimated Time

Within one 50-minute class period.

Key Terms

colony, eusociality, group, herd, hive, reproduction, selection, social behavior, survival

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

PDF files meet criteria. Spanish files meet criteria.

Version History

Date Published 08.14.17
Date Updated 12.04.19

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS2-8; SEP1

AP Biology (2019)

IST-5.A, ENE-4.B, SYI-1G; SP3

IB Biology (2016)

4.1, C.1

AP Environmental Science (2020)

Topic(s): 3.2
Learning Objectives & Practices: ERT-3.B, SP2

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

2.2

Common Core (2010)

ELA.WHST.9-12.9

Vision and Change (2009)

CC5; DP1

Materials

Fish Image (JPG) 23 MB
Elephant Image (JPG) 589 KB
Bee Image (JPG) 1 MB
Educator Materials (PDF) 240 KB
Student Handout (PDF) 955 KB
Educator Materials - Español (PDF) 301 KB
Student Handout - Español (PDF) 3 MB

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