Lesson plan based on Amphora
Research and illustrate lion habitats and the lions’ place in the food chain to determine the likelihood that lions lived in ancient Greece.
Skills and Focus: Biology, Geography, Earth Sciences
Subject Area: Science
Thematic Connection: Geography, Animals
Grade Level: Middle School
Time Needed: 120 minutes
Objectives
• Understand the relationship between preferred habitats and where animals live.
• Evaluate the likelihood that a particular animal lived in a particular habitat.
• Practice using quality online resources.
• Practice reading and making inferences from topographical maps.
Instructional Materials Needed
Colored pencils, crayons, paper for drawing
Online Resources:
• http://dialspace.dial.pipex.com/agarman/lion.htm
• Lincoln Park Zoo Species Data Sheet: African Lion: http://www.lpzoo.com/animals/mammals/facts/lion.html
• Topographical map of Greece http://www.lib.utexas.edu/Libs/PCL/Map_collection/europe/Greece_rel96.jpg
Activity
Step 1: Research the native habitats of lions, using the online resources listed above.
Step 2: Break the class into groups of students. Have each group investigate the habitats preferred by one species that is considered a primary source of food for lions, using the Lincoln Park Zoo Web page. Each group should report its findings to the class. Discuss the notion of a food chain and the integrated relationships of species in an ecosystem.
Step 3: Have students research the geography of Greece using the topographical map.
Critical Thinking Ask students to
• describe the Greek landscape.
• indicate whether Greece has the grassy plains that lions prefer.
• conclude how likely is it that lions were ever native to Greece.
Goals
This activity meets Illinois State Goal 12: Have a working knowledge of the fundamental concepts and principles of the life, physical, and earth/space sciences and their connections.
© 2000, by The Art Institute of Chicago. All rights reserved. Use of this program is subject to the terms below. No part of this program may be reproduced, transmitted or distributed in any form or by any means, except for personal or classroom use. All Copyright in and to the program, in whole or in part, belongs to the publisher and its licensors and is registered with the U.S. Copyright Office
