Why do dogs wag their tails?

Why do dogs wag their tails?

Lesson narration:
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DISCUSS:

Why do you think it might be helpful for dogs to communicate with each other (like wagging their tails or rolling on their backs)?

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DISCUSS (1 of 2):

Which other kinds of animals can you think of that live in groups?

Here are some animals we came up with:

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DISCUSS (2 of 2):

How might living in groups be helpful for animals?

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communicate


1 of 9

to exchange information
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behavior


2 of 9

the actions and reactions of living things
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social behavior


3 of 9

the behaviors of living things that live in groups
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predator


4 of 9

an animal that hunts and eats other animals
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protection


5 of 9

the act of keeping something or someone safe
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environment


6 of 9

all the living and nonliving things in a particular place
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survive


7 of 9

to stay alive
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observe


8 of 9

to pay close attention to something
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evidence


9 of 9

information that can be used to support or reject an idea
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Lesson narration:

Activity Prep

Print Prep

In this lesson, students discover why dogs’ expressions, like tail wagging, are so useful when living in a pack. In the activity, Field Journal, students watch videos of different animals that live in groups to simulate observing them in their natural habitats. They discuss and record their observations, and construct an explanation of how living in groups helps these animals survive.

Preview activity

Exploration

15 mins

Wrap-Up

5 mins

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