Lesson Plan - Battle of the Brains

Watch a Video: Animal Brainpower
Discuss: Which examples of animal intelligence shown in the video impress you the most? Explain.

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

• rank 
• observed 
• invertebrate

Set a Purpose for Reading
Point out the “As You Read” question. Have students look for a sign of intelligence for each animal.

1. Based on the article, what are some reasons animals use tools? 
Some use tools for protection, like octopuses carrying shells to hide in or elephants using branches to swat flies. Others use tools to get food, like chimps using sticks to dig for termites.
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2. How is a dolphin’s whistle similar to a human name? 
A dolphin’s whistle identifies a dolphin, similar to the way a name identifies a human. Dolphins remember the whistles of other dolphins, just as humans remember names.
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3. What is one example from the article of an animal using its intelligence to solve a problem?
Sample response: An elephant could not reach a piece of fruit hanging from a tree. It solved the problem by moving a box under the tree and standing on it to reach the fruit.
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FEATURED SKILL: Integrating Information
Use the skill builder “Watch and Read” to have students integrate the article and video.
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