Animal Communication

CONCEPTUAL

Science›Animals of the World|Ages 7—9|ID: mt_wHN14Unk7h

Understand that animals communicate in many different ways — birds sing to attract mates and defend territory, whales call across vast ocean distances, bees dance to show other bees where food is, wolves howl to keep the pack together, and fireflies flash light signals — and that communication is essential for survival

Mastery Evidence

Describes at least 4 different methods of animal communication (sound, dance, light, scent, body language)
Gives a specific animal example for each method
Explains that animals communicate to find mates, warn of danger, or share food locations

Assessment Prompt

“If [child] hears birds singing in the morning, can they explain that birdsong is a way of communicating — and describe at least two other ways different animals send messages to each other?”

Prerequisites2

The World of Minibeasts
softAges 7—9
Animals Everywhere
hardAges 5—7

Show full prerequisite tree

The World of Minibeasts soft
Bee dance is a key communication example; insect knowledge enriches it
- Animal Body Groups soft
  Insect/minibeast diversity enriched by curriculum body structure comparison across groups
  - Naming Common Animals hard
    Must know animal groups before comparing body structures
- Animal Homes soft
  Insect homes (hives, webs) were introduced in animal homes topic
  - Animals Everywhere hard
    Animal homes builds on knowing animals live everywhere
- Animals Everywhere hard
  Insects diversity builds on knowing animal diversity globally
Animals Everywhere hard
Communication needs awareness of animal diversity

Unlocks1

Animal Intelligence
hardAges 9—11