How Animals Communicate

Information for Teachers

Curriculum links

This investigation is linked to the following Grade 4 Next Generation Science Standards.

LS1.A: Structure and Function

Plants and animals have both internal and external structures that serve various functions in growth, survival, behavior, and reproduction. (4-LS1-1)

LS1.D: Information Processing

Different sense receptors are specialized for particular kinds of information, which may be then processed by the animal’s brain. Animals are able to use their perceptions and memories to guide their actions. (4-LS1-2)

 

 

How to search the internet

1 Keep your request short

Fewer words will give a more accurate search.

2 Choose exactly what you want

For example: Arctic Circle Climate

3 Use quotes

Double quotes around a set of words tell the search engine to consider those exact words in that exact order without any change. For example: “Arctic Circle Climate”

4 Use the plus sign (+)

If you add a plus sign (+) between words, the internet will search for all the words. For example: migrate+birds+whales+mammal

5 Use the minus sign (–) to say what you don’t want

Use a minus sign (–) to show words you do not want to appear in your results. For example: if you search for burrowing animals and do not want mammals in your search,  –mammals will exclude mammals. Note that you need to put a space before the minus sign for the word to be excluded.

6 Be very clear about what you don’t want

Part 1
Ask questions and define problems

After reading How Animals Communicate, you may have many questions about how or why animals communicate.

List your questions

  • Compare your list with questions that others have.
  • Choose a question you would like to investigate.
  • You can work alone, with a partner, or in a small group.

You may want to choose one or more of these questions to investigate

Q1. Which animals use sound, body language, smell, touch, or electricity to communicate? What do they communicate?

Q2. How do different animals communicate the same thing, e.g. go away, choose me, danger, this is my place or territory?

Q3. Can all animals communicate?

Q4. Choose a specific animal and find out about how they communicate, e.g. ants, octopuses, dolphins, frogs.

Go to Part 2 Investigate →

Part 2
Investigate

Helpful websites

You may want to use websites to help your investigations.

You can investigate how animals communicate by choosing an animal and then use the word “communication” and the name of the animal.

Go to Part 3 Record data →

Part 3
Record data

Find a way of recording your information that will allow you to see any patterns in the data.

Data Charts for How Animals Communicate

Download Chart
Go to Part 4 Organize, analyze, and interpret data →

Part 4
Organize, analyze, and interpret data

1. Look over the information you have gathered and the patterns you have found.

2. Search for other patterns.

If you have investigated types of animal communication, think about how this information can be classified.

3. Makes notes about what you find.

Go to Part 5 Present and share →

Part 5
Present and share

Look over all of the information that you have gathered in your investigation.

What are the most important ideas about your topic?

Make a chart showing the most important ideas.

Download Chart
Download Chart
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