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Why do dogs wag their tails?

Why do dogs wag their tails?
Lesson narration:
English Spanish
Scroll for prep
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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:

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

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

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

Featured Reviews

“The field journal and videos showing how animals work together and communicate were AWESOME! I think this was my favorite Mystery yet! Way to go, Mystery Science!”
· Emily · Teacher
“i loved how the students got to log their observations into their field journals! What a great way for them to feel like scientists!”
· · Teacher
“This was a FANTASTIC lesson! My students adored the field journals and were actively engaged the entire time. ”
· Sunni · Teacher
“The kids really enjoyed the discussion questions with this activity and the opportunity to act like a scientist observing animal behavior. In answering these I reviewed making scientific observations vs. inferences in watching the animals. The directions for putting together the "field journal" was really well done. Kudos! I loved giving the students an opportunity to do writing in science class. They enjoyed it as well! ”
· Shane · Teacher
“Many kids LOVED having their own field journals to write in. Everyone enjoyed watching the animal videos and figuring our what was going on without a narrator.”
· Melissa · Teacher
“THis lesson was a huge success! First, it met our NGSS standards perfectly. Second, the kids were able to explore animal groups and make their own observations before the concept was explained with vocabulary! Great lesson! ”
· Leighanna · Teacher
“This was the best lesson yet! My students loved pretending that they were scientists out in the field observing animals. They were so engaged.”
· Katie · Teacher
“So teacher and student friendly! The content was so appropriate and engaging!!!! ”
· Kristin · Teacher
“The engagement of my students!”
· Kyla · Teacher
“The kids really enjoyed the videos, especially of the ravens and the eagle. The field journals were easy to construct, and a good size, they liked those.”
· Kelin · Homeschooler
“Videos of meerkats, buffalo, ravens, and snow monkeys were very interesting and engaging. Directions for field journal were clear and easy to follow.”
· Carol · Teacher
“The students loved observing all of the different animals and how the interact together. I used this after talking about basic needs of animals and different adaptations that animals have. Wonderful!”
· Myah · Teacher
“This was an awesome lesson! Thanks for expanding!!”
· Stacy · Teacher
“The students really seemed to enjoy this lesson. I loved that it fits so well into the Next Gen. standards.”
· Nancy · Teacher
Lesson narration:
English Spanish

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

I have a Mystery Pack

Field Journal worksheet 1 per student
Field Journal Answer Key teacher-only resource 1 per class
Stapler
1 stapler per group
Prep Instructions

We suggest students work in table groups of four and share a stapler to construct their Field Journals. Homeschool students can work on their own.

The page numbers of the Field Journal will look scrambled on the printout, but when students fold them and make their booklets, the pages will be in order.

Exploration

15 mins

Hands-On Activity

35 mins

Wrap-Up

5 mins

Extend this lesson

Vocabulary

Vocabulary

Student slideshow: English | Spanish

Teacher printout: English & Spanish

Unit Reading

Unit Reading

The Scientists of Lizard Island

In this reading, scientists learn about how scientists studied what happened when new brown anoles were introduced to an island inhabited by green anoles.

Activity

Activity

Can you do the waggle dance?

Bees live by the hundreds in hives, setting out each day in search of nectar. When a bee finds food, it heads back to the hive and tells the other bees all about it. How? By wiggling its body in patterns that tell the bees where to find the flowers.

See how good you are at dancing like a bee with this activity from the New Jersey Agricultural Society. (Grades 3–5)

Video

Video

Safety in numbers

  • A crow on its own might make an easy meal for a big, strong bald eagle. But as you can see here, a group of crows (called a “murder” of crows) can work together to chase an eagle away. (1:23, TheLivingWilderness)

  • Most big birds are not built to fight in the air. Smaller birds that can fly faster and change direction more quickly can often avoid them. Big groups of small birds can be even more effective. See how sticking together helps this huge flock of birds escape a falcon on the hunt. (2:40, BBC)

Mini-lessons

Mini-lessons

You can elaborate student learning and engagement with Mystery Science mini-lessons.

If you are in an NGSS state, this mini-lesson supports the DCI LS2.D: Social Interactions and Group Behavior

Transcripts

Credits
 
Selection Lesson 4: Why do dogs wag their tails?

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