Journey North Gray Whales


Teachers: Gray Whales for Kids is a simple, student-directed entry point to Journey North. Engaging stories, photos, videos, and slide shows from the natural world build observation skills, inspire scientific thinking, and create fertile ground for discussions and new questions!	Teaching Tools Below: Activities and Learning Standards Science Inquiry Skills Observation Handouts Questions to Inspire Observations

Activity/Lesson	Grade*	Learning Standards/Themes
The Monumental Migration (Slide Show) (Booklet)	K-6	Meeting basic needs Life cycles and reproduction
Mammals Just Like Us	2-6	Life cycles and reproduction Adaptations for survival (structure and function)
Gray Whale Antics	2-6	Behavior patterns (adaptations) Basic Needs
Hitchhikers: Free Rides on Gray Whales	2-6	Meeting basic needs Adaptations for survival
Baby Whales on the Move: Can You Spot Them?	3-6	Life Cycles Behavior Patterns Adaptations
Who's That Whale? Scientists Use Photo ID	2-6	Exploring What Scientists Do
* These general grade designations are based on reading levels. You can adapt any activity to lower grades by reading it as a class or by focusing on simple photo observations.

Science Inquiry Skills Addressed
Observing	Comparing and contrasting	Interpreting
Describing	Analyzing	Inferring
Questioning	Finding patterns	Evaluating ideas
Using evidence to make reasonable explanations	Communicating details	Applying understandings

Journey North for Kids Teaching Tools
Observation Handouts Some JN for Kids activities link to simple student observation sheets. You can also select your own from our Gallery of Student Handouts. Print and pass out copies to guide observations of Journey North photos, video clips, and the natural world. Gallery of Student Handouts >>
Questions to Inspire Observations Draw from these to build students' observation and thinking skills. List of Questions >>
Journey North for Kids in the Classroom: Tips from Teachers