Online Learning Activities
Wolves: A Wild Animal Watch Activity
Students get a comprehensive look at wolves, learning where they live, how they survive, why they’re afraid of humans, and more.
- Grades: 3–5, 6–8
This exciting learning adventure, "Wild Animal Watch: Wolves," focuses on habitats where wolves have been reintroduced into the wild. Students (grades 3–8) can explore the wolves' territory, learn about their living habits, examine their family structure, and meet wolf specialists from all over the country.
- Students can meet the Gray Wolves of Yellowstone, and read about the reintroduction of this animal into the wild. Students will learn the habitats, social behavior, and history of gray wolves in the U.S. This activity also includes a gray wolf fact sheet, a map of Yellowstone National Park, an audio file for hearing an actual wolf howl, daily journal entries from the field, and interviews with animal biologists, wildlife veterinarians, and other members of the Yellowstone Wolf Restoration Project.
- Rescuing the Red Wolf shares how red wolves were once captured and reintroduced into the wild. Students learn about the different kinds of "reintroduction," the Red Wolf Recovery Program, how scientists use special radio-tracking collars to check on the wolves' activities, and why and how scientists capture wolves.
- Students can Meet the Experts and read interviews with wildlife expert Roland Smith, wildlife veterinarian Dr. Mark Johnson, species coordinator Will Waddell, radio-tracking specialist Chris Lucash, and many more.
- Students can read the poems and essays about wolves that Scholastic members submitted to the Wolf Writing Gallery.
- Wolf Drawing Gallery shares student wolf drawings submitted by Scholastic members.
- Students test their know-how with a short Wolf Quiz.
Learning Objectives
While participating in Wild Animal Watch: Wolves, students will:
- Understand the behavior and life cycles of North American gray and red wolves in the wild
- Understand how wolves became endangered in the United States and the methods biologists are using to save them from extinction
- Synthesize sounds, pictures, and other information about wolves and generate personal impressions in written and/or visual form
- Read and comprehend informative texts
- Formulate and complete an independent research project
- Read outside literature or nonfiction in context with classroom studies
Related Resources
Students get a comprehensive look of one of their favorite animals — dolphins — while following the work of marine biologists.
- Subjects:Basic Needs of Living Things, Endangered Animals and Welfare, Foxes and Wolves, Habitats and Ecosystems, Real-World Science, Jobs, Careers, Work
