Is That Animal for Real?
This is a fun course for Students to be exposed to some of the utterly bizarre animals that may (or may not) really exist in our world! Each class is a fun combination of real and fictional animals to keep students thinking.
Sarah Benson
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(129)
What's included
1 live meeting
30 mins in-class hours per weekMastery Evaluation
Upon request, I can provide additional homework assignments for students to conduct their own research on a specific animal that will be discussed in the following class. When we get to that animal within the class presentation, the student will be given the opportunity to share what they have learned through their own research. The time spent outside of class on these assignments should not take longer than 30 minutes, unless the student is thoroughly enjoying what he/she is discovering, and the presentation within the class requires 5 minutes or less.Assessment
While this is primarily a fun class, students will be learning about biodiversity, adaptations, natural selection, and human impacts on earth's systems (with invasive species). Upon request, I can provide a 10-question quiz for families to provide grading opportunities for each class.Class Experience
Students will be given the idea of an animal or possible combination of animals, and then they must decide if they think it could be a real animal or not. For example, what would happen if you combined a panda bear with an ant? Would that make a real animal, or not? Spoiler alert: there is actually an insect called the panda ant. It is an ant that has similar colorings to the panda bear. Follow-up questions are also provided to encourage students to think about biodiversity, adaptations, natural selection, and human impacts on earth's systems (with invasive species). Additional information is given about each animal, including: geological locations (maps are included), and any other cool facts about it. There are also a few fictional animals (AI and Photoshop generated) thrown in there to keep students thinking and on their toes. This class is focused on animals, and showcases some of the bizarre and beautiful creatures that are living in our world. Most of these animals can be found in the wild, if one looks closely enough. By giving the students a chance to consider, and discuss their opinions of each animal, they will be developing logic, reasoning, and conversation skills. Students are also given the opportunity to consider the natural adaptations of these animals (i.e. why would a seahorse benefit by looking like seaweed?). Plus, if your children are anything like mine, they will absolutely love to learn about really cool and crazy things to share with their family and friends. Week of 9/30-10/4 Small Mammals Week of 10/7-10/11 No Classes, Fall Break Week of 10/14-10/18 More Ocean Animals (No Monday Class for Columbus Day) 10/21 Make-up meeting for Monday's class (Lizards and Reptiles) 10/28 Make-up meeting for Monday's class (More Ocean Animals Week of 10/21-10/25 Deer and Cattle Week of 10/28-11/1 Frogs, Turtles, and Snakes Week of 11/1-11/15 Insects and Bugs Week of 11/18-11/22 (No Class, Thanksgiving Week) Week of 11/25-11/29 Large Ocean Animals Week of 12/2-12/6 Lizards and Reptiles (No Monday Class for Labor Day) Week of 12/9-12/13 Animals in the Trees Week of 12/16-12/20 On the Ocean Floor 12/21-1/5 (No Classes for the Holidays) Week of 1/6-1/10 Predators
Learning Goals
Students will explore the diversity and natural adaptations within species that allow for natural camouflage and predatory evasion.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
A few of the classes do cover animals that may be potentially triggering for some phobia-sensitive children (such as snakes, spiders, and sharks). Please let me know before-hand if your child will have a negative reaction to seeing images of certain animals, and I will make a note to caution that child before discussing that animal. There is NO blood or gore shown in any image for any class, but teeth, horns, stingers, and other apparatus that can be found on certain animals and insects will be discussed and shown.
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined May, 2020
5.0
129reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
I have always been fascinated by animals of every kind, and as a child was often considered a walking encyclopedia for bugs (especially spiders). I am finding this same interest in my own children, and am having so much fun sharing our crazy world with them that I wanted to share it with other children, too!Reviews
Live Group Class
$8
weekly1x per week
30 min
Completed by 63 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 6-11
1-7 learners per class
