Project Immersion: Teamwork In The Pod

Grades 3-5: Teamwork In The Pod

Objective Students will learn basic life histories of dolphins and killer whales and begin to understand how pod structure and teamwork increase chances of survival.

Materials None.

Time Frame 1/2-1 hour

Teacher Background See Odontocetes in the Background Information Section.
Many species form groups for similar reasons: a greater chance to detect predators; less chance that any one animal will be killed; shared raising of young; increased feeding efficiency.
Disadvantages include the rapid spread of disease through groups, and groups will attract predators more easily than a single animal moving alone.

Dive In! Why do some animals form groups and others don't? How do animals work together to increase their survival? What are some of the risks of group living?

Process Using the worksheet master, cut out each of the clues listed under Killer Whale Pod and Dolphin Pod. Form students into groups of 4-5.
Give groups either the dolphin problem or the killer whale problem. These problems are as follows:
- Dolphins: Individuals need to avoid predators to survive.
- Killer Whale: Calves must be safely raised and become strong to survive.
Give each student just one piece of information related to their question and pod. They must then try to solve the question by sharing what they know with others in the group and working it out together. Have each group share their solution with the class.

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Objective	Students will learn basic life histories of dolphins and killer whales and begin to understand how pod structure and teamwork increase chances of survival.

Materials	None.

Time Frame	1/2-1 hour

Teacher Background	See Odontocetes in the Background Information Section. Many species form groups for similar reasons: a greater chance to detect predators; less chance that any one animal will be killed; shared raising of young; increased feeding efficiency. Disadvantages include the rapid spread of disease through groups, and groups will attract predators more easily than a single animal moving alone.

Dive In!	Why do some animals form groups and others don't? How do animals work together to increase their survival? What are some of the risks of group living?

Process	Using the worksheet master, cut out each of the clues listed under Killer Whale Pod and Dolphin Pod. Form students into groups of 4-5. Give groups either the dolphin problem or the killer whale problem. These problems are as follows: - Dolphins: Individuals need to avoid predators to survive. - Killer Whale: Calves must be safely raised and become strong to survive. Give each student just one piece of information related to their question and pod. They must then try to solve the question by sharing what they know with others in the group and working it out together. Have each group share their solution with the class.