This 6 minute high interest movie - ‘A Whale’s Tale’ featuring Wyatt the humpback whale and his mother Wendy is designed for elementary students but
has enough technological information to make it appropriate for all grade levels. A team of scientists doing research in Antarctica tag both whales. Wendy
explains the process to her young son giving him real insight into the research they are doing. Video and photographs from a recent trip have been
combined to create this interesting resource. It is available on-line at and is free of charge.
http://www.cleanvideosearch.com/media/action/yt/watch?v=DXwsNFwLBrQ&feature=youtu.be (movie link)
Reny Tyson, Duke University
Ideas for lessons – Tagging
Grade
K
Language
Arts
1st
Science
Humpback Whales in Antarctica
Next Generation Sunshine State
Standards (Florida)
LA.K.1.6 The student will describe
common objects and events in both
general and specific language.
NC Essential Standards/Clarifying
Objectives
Common Core Standards
Sample Essential Questions
Identify the habitat of humpback
whales; describe the climate, food
sources, and other animals
present in the environment.
Explain how scientists study
humpback whales and the type of
information they obtain.
Understand the role of scientists
in studying whales.
Draw a picture to represent what
you know about the habitat of the
humpback whale.
The student s will use visual and
auditory cues to comprehend
grade level material.
The student will recount the
events of a story and place them
in the appropriate order using
correct terminology.
What can scientists learn by
studying whales?
CCLA.K.1.6 The student will listen to and
discuss both familiar and conceptually
challenging text.
1.L.2 Summarize the needs of living
organisms for energy and growth.
1.L.2.2 Summarize the basic needs of a
variety of different animals (including
air, water, and food) for energy and
growth.
1st
Science/
Language
Arts
SC.1.N.1.1 Raise questions about the
natural world, investigate them in
teams through free exploration, and
generate appropriate explanations
based on those explorations.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.1.4 Describe
people, places, things, and events with
relevant details, expressing ideas and
feelings clearly.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.1.5 Add drawings
or other visual displays to descriptions
when appropriate to clarify ideas,
thoughts, and feelings.
1st
LA.1.1.7.6 The student uses a variety of
strategies to comprehend grade level
text.
Common Core: Write narratives in which
they recount two or more appropriately
sequenced events, include some details
regarding what happened, use temporal
words to signal event order, and provide
some sense of closure.
2nd
Science
Sample Objectives
2.L.2 Remember that organisms differ
from or are similar to their parents
based on the characteristics of the
organism.
2.L.2.1 Identify ways in which many
plants and animals closely resemble
their parents in observed appearance
and ways they are different.
How can I use both visual
and auditory information to
comprehend a story?
2nd
Language
Arts
2nd
Language
Arts/
Science
LA.2.3.1.2 Determine the purpose (e.g.
To entertain, to inform, to
communicate) and the intended
audience of a writing piece
LA.2.3.1.3 Making a plan for writing
that includes the main idea, the
purpose (e.g. to entertain, to inform, to
communicate).
SCL2.17 Recognize and explain that
living things are found all over Earth,
but each is only able to live in habitats
that meet its basic needs.
3rd
Science
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.2.1- Write Opinion
pieces in which they introduce the topic
or book they are writing about, state an
opinion, supply reasons that support the
opinion, use linking words (e.g..,
because, and, also) to connect opinions
and reasons, and provide a concluding
statement or section.
LACC.2.W.1.1: Write opinion piece in
which they introduce the topic or book
they are writing about, state an opinion,
supply reason that support the opinion,
use linking words, (e.g. because, and,
also) to connect opinion and reasons,
and provide a concluding statement or
section.
Students will plan, write and
revise opinion pieces about media
presented.
Students will identify target
audience and purpose of writing.
What are some reasons I
might write?
How do I make a plan for
writing that includes a main
idea?
How can I express my
opinion in my writing?
Students explain the relationship
between animals (the humpback
whale) and their dependence on
their environment to satisfy their
basic needs.
Students will demonstrate proper
use of linking words, introductory
and concluding sentence and
supporting reasons when they
write an opinion mini-book based
on a short movie.
Why do animals migrate?
How can I express my
opinion in my writing?
Students will be able to identify at
least 2 animals from the movie A
Whale’s Tale, who live in
Antarctica and be able to compare
and contrast their behavior and
physical traits.
Students will use technology to
conduct a short research project
of animals living in Antarctica,
including migration habits of
certain animals.
Students will classify all animals
into groups according to their
physical characteristics.
Students will research and
communicate information learned
efficiently.
Why is it important to
understand the differences
in behavior and physical
traits of animal groups?
What questions can I ask to
gain knowledge on a topic
when researching with
technology?
3.E.2 Compare the structures of the
Earth’s surface using models or threedimensional diagrams.
3.E.2.1 Compare Earth’s saltwater and
freshwater features (including oceans,
seas, rivers, lakes, ponds, streams, and
glaciers).
3.E.2.2 Compare Earth’s land features
(including volcanoes, mountains,
valleys, canyons, caverns, and islands)
by using models, pictures, diagrams,
and maps.
3rd
Science
SC.3.L.15.1 Classify animals into major
groups (mammals, birds, reptiles,
amphibians, fish, arthropods,
vertebrates and invertebrates, those
having live births and those which lay
eggs) according to their physical
characteristics and behaviors.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.7 Conduct short
research projects that build knowledge
about a topic.
3rd
Science
SC.3.L.15.1 Classify animals into major
groups (mammals, birds, reptiles,
amphibians, fish, arthropods,
vertebrates and invertebrates, those
having live births and those which lay
eggs) according to their physical
characteristics and behaviors.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.5 Use text
features and search tools (e.g., key
words, sidebars, hyperlinks) to locate
information relevant to a given topic
efficiently.
3rd
Language
Arts
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.2 Determine the
main idea of a text; recount the key
details and explain how they support the
main idea.
You will write an essay based on
information seen in a short film.
You will determine important
details-basing your narrative on
What are the different
groups of animals and the
characteristics of that
group?
What information can you
locate about a specific
animal?
What details are presented
to support the main idea in
the media?
How can I share information
4th
Science
SC.4.L.13.3 Recognize that animal
behaviors may be shaped by heredity
and learning.
Common Core State Standard for
Literacy
4th
Language
Arts
LA.4.5.2.1 The student will listen to
information presented orally and show
an understanding of key points
5th
Science
5th
Language
Arts
facts from the film.
You will write and illustrate a
book as proof of your knowledge.
I found in and effective
manner?
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.4c Consult
reference materials (e.g., dictionaries,
glossaries, thesauruses), both print and
digital, to find the pronunciation and
determine or clarify the precise meaning
of key words and phrases.
CCSS.Literacy.SL.4.1 Engage effectively
in a range of collaborative discussions
(one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led)
with diverse partners on grade 4 topics
and texts, building on others’ ideas and
expressing their own clearly.
Students will recognize that
animal behaviors may be shaped
by heredity and learning.
How is a humpback whale’s
behavior affected by
heredity and learning?
Is migration necessary to a
humpback whale’s survival?
Students will discuss whales and
record their ideas clearly.
Students will listen to a film and
identify key points of the story.
How can I organize
information that I receive
orally so that I'll be able to
understand it and recall it
later?
CCSS.ELA-Literacy L 5.1 – Quote
accurately from a text when explaining
what the text says explicitly and when
drawing influences
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.5:
Analyze multiple accounts noting
important similarities and differences in
the point of view each whale and people
present.
Students will identify the author’s
purpose writing the text.
Students will explain the author’s
purpose for writing the text.
I will write a short story about a
shared experience from 2
different viewpoints.
I will analyze and compare and
contrast the different points of
view from a shared experience.
4.L.1 Understand the effects of
environmental changes, adaptations
and behaviors that enable animals
(including humans) to survive in
changing habitats.
4.L.1.1 Give examples of changes in an
organism’s environment that are
beneficial to it and some that are
harmful.
4.L.1.2 Explain how animals meet their
needs by using behaviors in response
to information received from the
environment.
4th
Science
5th
Language
Arts
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.7 Use information
gained from illustrations (e.g., maps,
photographs) and the words in a text to
demonstrate understanding of the text
(e.g., where, when, why, and how key
events occur).
5.L.2 Understand the interdependence
of plants and animals with their
ecosystem.
5.L.2.1 Compare the characteristics of
several common ecosystems, including
estuaries and salt marshes, oceans,
lakes and ponds, forests, and
grasslands.
5.L.2.2 Classify the organisms within an
ecosystem according to the function
they serve: producers, consumers, or
decomposers (biotic factors).
LA 5.1.7.2 Students will identify the
authors passage (e.g. to persuade,
inform, entertain, and how an authors’
perspective influences the text.
LA.5.4.1.2 The student develops and
demonstrates creative writing.
Why is it important to
understand that there are
different points of view of
the same event?
How can I display this
information visually?
6th
Science
MA.6.A.1.3 Solve real-world problems
involving multiplication and division of
fractions and decimals.
LANGUAGE ARTS: CCSS: Determine the
central ideas or conclusions of a text;
provide an accurate summary of the
text. (ELA-Literacy. RST. 6-8.2).
7th
Science
SC.7.L.15.1 Recognize that fossil
evidence is consistent with the
scientific theory of evolution that living
things evolved from earlier species.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.4 Determine
the meaning of symbols, key terms, and
other domain-specific words and
phrases as they are used in a specific
scientific or technical context relevant to
grades 6–8 texts and topics.
7th
Science
SC.7.L.17.2 Compare and contrast the
relationships among organisms such as
mutualism, predation, parasitism,
competition, and commensalism.
LACC.7.SL.1.2: Analyze the main ideas
and supporting details presented in
diverse media and formats and explain
how the ideas clarify a topic, text, or
issue under study.
LACC.7.W.2.4: Produce clear and
coherent writing in which the
development, organization, and style are
appropriate to task, purpose, and
audience.
8th
Science
LA 8.4.2.1 The student will write in a
variety of technical/informational
forms. (summaries, procedures,
instructions, experiments, rubrics, how
to manuals and assembly)
CCSS ELA-Literacy. WHST.6.8.2 Write
informative/explanatory texts, including
the narration of historical events,
scientific procedures/experiments or
technical processes.
High
School
Language
Arts
LA.910.4.1.2: The student
will incorporate figurative language,
emotions, gestures, rhythm, dialogue,
characterization, plot, and appropriate
format.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.3 Write
narratives to develop real or imagined
experiences or events using effective
technique, well-chosen details, and wellstructured event sequences.
High
School
Geography/
Language
Arts
SS.912.G.3 Use geographic terms to
locate and describe major ecosystems
of Earth. (
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.8 Evaluate
an author’s premises, claims, and
evidence by corroborating or challenging
them with other information.
Students will be able to apply the
math concepts of multiplication
and division to a natural scientific
study.
Students will determine the main
idea and summarize material
presented in a story.
Learn the key elements of whale
anatomy that suggest they have
evolved.
Analyze the fossil record for
evidence of whale evolution.
Learn about the key pieces of
evidence that support evolution.
Students will compare and
contrast the cooperative
relationship between animals
and/or humans.
Students will analyze ideas
presented in diverse media using
a graphic organizer and
appropriate vocabulary.
Students will write an appropriate
letter from a specific point of
view.
You will write an informative
essay about a story explaining the
information presented.
You will incorporate research
supporting your topic in a legal
and efficient manner. (using
correct MLA format)
Students will gain an
understanding in how to use
research in creative writing.
Students will learn how to adapt
documentary information into a
fable.
Students will create fable about a
whale and his adventures based
on the video “A Whale’s Tale.”
These stories will incorporate
factual information about whales
in a way to create a fairy tale.
Students will learn about whale
migrations and different
ecosystems around the world.
Students will evaluate an author’s
premise by researching
information presented through
the use of technology.
How can students relate
math concepts to a realworld situation?
How did scientists study
these whales and were they
successful?
What are adaptations?
How do living things change
over time?
What types of evidence
support evolution?
How could our seemingly
small actions locally have a
global impact?
What do you think makes a
narrator effective?
Why is it important to collect
and compare data or
research?
How do we use research
about a subject to create
stories?
What information do we
need to be able to write
about an animal?
How do we use factual
information about animals
to create fairy tales about
them?
Why do animals migrate?
What cause animals to
migrate great distances?