ZOO ACADEMY PROGRAM SUMMARY
GRADE 5: ANIMAL DIGESTIVE AND ORGAN SYSTEMS
OVERVIEW:
Students will explore various organ systems in the body, how they support each other, and the
causes/effects of disease on each. Using animal “aprons” students will examine the digestive
systems of various animals, while observing live animal counterparts in the zoo. They will compare
animal systems with the human system. In the second half of the program, students will use
scientific inquiry to measure, record and asses two box turtles that were rescued and rehabilitated
here at Riverview. Students will use their observations to investigate the effects of malnutrition,
social and environmental factors, and human involvement on the health of the animals, themselves
and their environment.
Overview of the Day:
PART 1 – INSIDE ACTIVITIES (1 hour)
Organ Explorer
-Students will be looking at various organ systems for different animals, including humans. They
will specifically be contrasting and comparing the digestive systems of different animals at the
zoo.
The Human Digestive Apron
-Students will investigate how the human digestive system works, and familiarize with the apron
for later use with animal systems.
PART 2 – OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES (1 hour)
Animal Visits: For each of the animal visits, students will be using digestive aprons to explore the
digestive systems of each animal.
LUNCH & BATHROOM (45 minutes)
PART 3 – LIVE ANIMAL INVESTIGATIONS AND BOX TURTLE ACTIVITY (1 Hour):
Activity One: Students will be given a demonstration by a Zookeeper, with several different
animals. The focus will be on the nutrition and digestive systems of the animals.
Activity Two: Students will measure and investigate the Zoo's box turtles and determine how
nutrition effects growth and health of animals.
WRAP UP (15 Minutes)
Riverview Park and Zoo is a proud member of Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums - Aquariums et Zoos Accrédités du Canada (CAZA-AZAC),
an organization that promotes the welfare of animals, and encourages the advancement and improvement of zoological parks, aquariums and
related animal exhibits in Canada as humane agencies of recreation, education, conservation, and science.
F:\ZOO\Administration\Education\Curriculum Program\Grade 5 Web Summary Final.docx
2015/04/15