Zoo Learning Story - July 2015

Learner: Amin, Aaron and Aryan Learning Coach: DWilkes                              Date: July 30, 2015

Learning Area: Science

Learning Observed

Our trip to the zoo was a learning adventure for Aryan, Amin and Aaron.  The boys were split into small groups while we toured the zoo visiting animals from around the world and observing their behaviour and habitats- they were all with me.  The boys loved seeing the red pandas, seals, primates and especially the baboons.  While the observed the different enclosures they were prompted to ‘notice’ the animal habitats and discuss and describe the zoo habitat each animal lived in.  They all asked lots of questions and were eager to move from area to area.   Aaron was a volunteer during the flamingo encounter and helped to demonstrate some of their adaptations.  Amin and Aryan made sure that Peanut the Pukeko was informed at every stop!  They all thought is was very amusing that one of the elephants had the same name as their classmate “Anjli”.  The boys were attentive, collaborative and curious.and enjoyed the opportunity to talk about what they already knew about animals and what they need to survive.

Evidence of learning

Key Competencies/Vision Principles

During the animal encounters with the zoo keepers the boys demonstrated their curiosity when they got to touch the cheetah pelt and skull.  They wanted to know how the zoo keepers got them. All of the boys were managing self during the zoo visit by staying with their groups, buddies and listening to instructions. The three boys were very helpful being good buddies to other learners and demonstrating their manners by holding the aviary doors open for others.  They were collaborative and participated and contributed in all 3 animal encounters: flamingos, cheetahs and elephants.  Amin and Aaron enjoyed watching Aryan connect to his learning from school when he learned about how crocodiles were different from alligators.

Next Learning Steps

Visit the Auckland zoo website to learn more about the animals and their habitats. -share and contribute ideas and questions with the wider group -use zoo learning and wonderings in their Habitat Design learning adventure when we go back to school -make connections to their observations of the animals habitats at the zoo to their natural habitats