Instinct Teacher Resources

Physical and behavioral adaptations are discussed by two teen girls as monarch butterflies flutter by. They also describe the process of natural selection. With colorful animation and relatable teen language, learners are sure to adapt...

Don't be hawkward, learn about animal behavior! This first video begins by introducing ethology and the difference between innate and learned behaviors. Then it explains many different types of behaviors from instinct to imprinting, all...

Students closely read " To Build a Fire," to explore the use of narrative point of view and debate the distinction between knowledge and instinct. The elements of literary naturalism and how they relate to Jack London's work is examined...

Fourth graders explore the difference between studied behavior and instinct. In groups, 4th graders use website links to research information about a selected animal. They create a story about the life of their animal during the four...

In this animal behavior worksheet, students will read information about reflex behaviors and instinct behaviors. Then students will complete 1 short answer and 1 fill in the blank question.

In this 10 question multiple choice worksheet, students choose the correct answer based on reading Animal Smarts. They read the non-fiction piece before determine the correct answers to the questions.

Is it instinct and intelligence that divide animals from humans? What are they really thinking, and how do we define that? Check out this great video that discusses everything from Descartes' thoughts on the topic and Darwinian...

Could Disney be tricking people into caring about their characters? It seems the design of characters in recent years triggers our nurturing instincts. A video explains the science behind these instinctual habits—and why viewers are...

Students investigate animal behavior, examining the nervous system and the physiology of the brain and the fight or flight response. They simulate animal behaviors and discuss the difference between an instinct and a behavior.

Is that warm, fuzzy family feeling a product of evolution? Explore altruism through a video from an engaging science series. The narrator discusses parental instincts, evolutionary fitness, and an organism's drive to ensure it passes its...

Ten questions about animal behaviors make up this AP biology worksheet. Learners explain behaviors such as instinct, reflexes, imprinting, dominance, and defending territory. Question #6 is in reference to a PowerPoint presentation that...

How does one determine what influences animal behavior; Is it nature or nurture? After a short reading explaining different types of conditioning and other learned behaviors, scholars examine six scenarios to determine whether the...

Students investigate the behavior of isopods. In this isopod lesson plan, students make observations of an isopod and sketch the pillbug. They study the orientation of the isopods in relation to moisture in a chamber they construct from...

Students analyze parenting instincts. In this parenting instincts lesson, students view a drawing of animal they studies and describe what they learned about the animal. Students teach the class about their animal and the class creates a...

Learners compare animal adaptations to human behavior. In this science instructional activity, students discuss animal instincts vs. learned behavior. Options for student writing, drawing and research are incorporated into this...

In this innate behavior learning exercise, students compare inherited behavior and instinctive behavior. Students also look at behaviors resulting from internal and external cues. This learning exercise has 4 short answer, 4 matching, 4...

In this behavior worksheet, students review the different types of behaviors including instinct, reflex, and learned behaviors. This worksheet has 10 terms in a crossword puzzle and 6 fill in the blank questions.

In this animal behavior worksheet, students will review various types of animal behavior including those that are instinctual and those that are learned. This worksheet has 10 true or false and 8 matching questions.

The world's population of cats would wrap around the earth six times! Follow the evolution of the cat that began 11 million years ago and discover how their dominance came to be through a quick video lesson. 

Students identify general abilities that indicate animal cognitive intelligence. In this biology lesson, students create an intelligence testing challenge for ravens. They compare its ability to that of a crow.

Even though the PowerPoint slides for this lesson are not included, you may find it useful for the wildlife track preservation instructions provided. After demonstrating the steps for making track casts, take your class outdoors to make...

Follow the migration of the monarch butterfly from northern North America to southern Mexico. A video explains how monarch butterflies navigate their migration north in the spring and south in the fall. Pupils learn how it takes multiple...

They say that a dog is a man's best friend. Why is that? Discuss with your class why people like pets and the responsibilities with owning one. They read an article about pet behavior and write a short essay comparing one of their...

Human traits trace back to simpler species—such as chickens, for example. Using the human genomes, scientists connect these traits to their ancestral origins. A video presentation highlights the structure of human DNA and makes a...