Learn more

Open-and-go lessons that inspire kids to love science.

Sign up now for tons of free lessons like this one!

Back > Share
Everglades Adventure
Lights & Sounds Unit | Anchor Phenomenon
Back > Share

Everglades Adventure

Lights & Sounds Unit | Anchor Phenomenon
Scroll for prep
This is a teacher-led and teacher-narrated lesson for more open-ended discussion.


Learn more about the Anchor Layer here,
or click next to get started!


Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Today, we’re going on an adventure to this very special place. It’s called the Everglades.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
The Everglades is a very big place. This is just one part of the Everglades. The arrow is pointing to a boat that people can drive in the water here.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Let’s travel through some of the Everglades. Look and listen for as many different living things as you can.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Slide Image
Discuss. What kinds of living things did you see? And did you hear any living things that you couldn’t see? Do you have any guesses about what other kinds of things might live here?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
There is another kind of animal that lives in this part of the Everglades. We can’t see it yet, but you will be able to hear it on the next slide.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
The picture you see here won’t change. You will hear a few birds, but listen for the other animal. Be very quiet for this. Click play when you’re ready!
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Slide Image
Let’s see if you have any ideas about what kind of animal made that noise. Our goal is to try and figure it out just from what you heard and what you can see in this part of the Everglades. There are clues here! What kind of an animal would make that sound and live in a place like this?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Get a See-Think-Wonder Chart, or make your own with a large sheet of paper. Your teacher will add your ideas to the class chart.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Discuss. What did you see in this part of the Everglades? And what did you hear? Your teacher will record your answers in the See column of your chart.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
What kind of animal do you think makes the sound you heard? And, how do you think it makes that sound? Come up with as many ideas as you can. Your teacher will record your answers in the Think column of your chart.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
What do you wonder about the animal that makes this sound? Your teacher will record your questions in the Wonder column.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Save your See-Think-Wonder Chart. You will come back to it after the next lesson.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen

It's time to do some investigations! In this unit, you'll explore many things about lights and sounds. You will learn more about the mystery animal after the first lesson.

At the end of the unit, you will use everything you've learned in a fun project.

Have fun, and stay curious!

Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
🎉 That’s it for this lesson! How did it go?
Sign up now for more great lessons!
Sign up
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen

Grade 1

Light, Sound, & Communication

Light, Sound, & Communication

203 reviews

Activity Prep

Print Prep

Note: This lesson is part of this unit’s Anchor Layer. If you have the Anchor Layer turned on, we recommend teaching all of the lessons in this unit in order.

The anchor phenomenon for this unit is based around two animals that are found in the Everglades, and how each of them communicate.

During the introduction, students generate observations and questions about the phenomenon and create a list of possible explanations for the phenomenon.

Students will gather clues during and after each lesson in this unit to help them improve their understanding and explanations. It is important to encourage students to recognize that even if they don't know the perfect answer yet, they are going to learn a lot throughout the unit and will have an opportunity to revisit the phenomenon over time.

Preview activity
Number of students:
Lights & Sounds Teacher Guide teacher-only resource 1 copy
See-Think-Wonder worksheet 1 copy
Prep Instructions

Before starting this lesson, review the unit Teacher Guide for an overview of the Lights & Sounds Anchor Layer.

Set Up Your Classroom

Set up your classroom by creating a class "See-Think-Wonder" chart. You will start the chart today, and you will add to it over the course of the unit.

For the See-Think-Wonder charts, you can use chart paper or a space on your board that won't be erased to create a whole-class chart. If you would like to have students complete the See-Think-Wonder charts on an individual basis, here is a blank chart.

Grade 1

Light, Sound, & Communication

Light, Sound, & Communication

203 reviews

Extend this lesson

Unit Teacher Guide

Slow internet or video problems?