Giraffe Lesson Plan
Name: Rachel Ison
Subject: Science
Lesson Plan Title: Giraffe
Grade Level: K
Date: 4/5/12
Length of Session: 40 min.
Content Standard:
Life Science:
 Standard 3- Flow of Matter and Energy- Matter and energy flow through the biosphere
 Standard 4-Heredity- Plants and animals reproduce and transmit hereditary information between
generations.
 Standard 5- Biodiversity and Change- A rich variety of complex organisms have developed in
response to a continually changing environment.
Agriscience:
a laboratory science course that prepares students for biology with content areas include ecology.
 Standard 3- Determine the importance of wildlife populations and environmental conditions in
our natural habitats.
Materials & Resources: Dedan Saves The Day by Thea Feldman
Giraffe Lapbook
Giraffe placemat worksheet
“What do Giraffes Eat” video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgsCIGR-Oi4
Shoebox
Leaves, grass, and twigs from home
10 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons water
yellow food coloring
leaves and twigs
a bowl/ Wet naps
PLANNING
Unit Goal(s):
 GLE 0007.3.1 Recognize that living things require water, food, and air.
 GLE 0007.4.1 Observe how plants and animals change as they grow.
 GLE 0007.4.2 Observe that offspring resemble their parents.
 GLE 0007.5.1 Compare the basic features of plants and animals.
 3.7 Determine how the carrying capacity of an ecosystem is affected by interactions
among species and organisms.
Learning Objectives:
 0007.3.1 Observe plants and animals and make records of their similarities and differences.
 0007.5.1 Use a variety of representations to describe similarities and differences among plants
and animals.
 0007.5.2 Create a mural of an ecosystem and compare the characteristics of animals and plants
within that environment.
 0007.5.3 Match pictures of animal and plant characteristics needed for survival to appropriate
environments.
Enduring Understandings:
CONCEPT(S):
 Giraffes have unique physical characteristics that allow them to adapt to their ecosystem.


Giraffes are mammals with a family structure.
Giraffes are great runners and protective.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
 Why is giraffes’ saliva thick?
 How does the giraffe adapt to their ecosystem?
 What characteristics are unique to giraffes?
INSTRUCTION
INTRODUCTION or Anticipatory Set
Time: 5 min.
Start the lesson by asking the students if they have ever seen what color a giraffes tongue is? Then ask
what would you do if you were really tall?
BODY (Activities & Practice)
Activities
Time: 30 min.
1. Read Dedan Saves The Day to the students.
2. Discuss with the students the physical characteristics that make giraffes so unique.
3. Present Giraffe lap book to whole group.
4. Students create and read the giraffe placemat worksheet.
5. Watch video about what giraffes eat. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgsCIGR-Oi4
6. Create miniature habitat for giraffe using shoeboxes and twigs and leaves kids brought from
home.
7. Create science activity of creating Giraffe spit by mixing cornstarch, water, and food coloring in a
bowl. Students will be able to physical touch a physical aspect that allows giraffes to survive.
CLOSURE:
Time: 5 min.
Talk to the students about what interesting facts did they learn about the giraffe while cleaning up.
Transition: Animal giraffe limbo where students make a line and play limbo while acting like the giraffe
with a long neck.
ASSESSMENT
Evaluation:
Observe students making their miniature habitats for giraffes. Direct toward plants and plant life that
would be in the African savanna. Observe the students answers on the giraffe placemat activity.
References: www. ehow.com/info_7861226_kindergarten-giraffe-activities.html
www.homeshoolshare.com
www.sandiegozoo.org/education/science_giraffe_spit.html