Self-Guided School Activities

Get your students involved in learning while at the Zoo! These standards-based, multi-curricular activities are meant to be a la cart so teachers can choose which topics and subjects they want their students to explore. Click this link to see how these activities align with Ohio’s state standards.

Self-Guided Activities at the Zoo

M=Math, S=Science, SS=Social Studies, T=Technology, L=Language Arts, C=Creative Arts

Activity	Description
Animal Observers-Night Hunters	Ask questions and make predictions while investigating nocturnal animals. L, M
Animal Observers-Wings of the World	Ask questions and make predictions while investigating birds of the world. L, M
Color the Rainbow	Find out how colors help animals survive. S, C
Do You Hear What I Hear	Identify the different shapes animal ears make! S,M

Activity	Description
Ani-Moves	Observe adaptations that help animals move around. S
Animal Survival Inquiry	Use inquiry to explore questions about how animals survive. S
Ant Antics	Practice observation skills on some of the Zoo’s smallest residents. S
Big Math	Become a math master with a little help from our elephants. M
Color the Rainbow	Find out how colors help animals survive. S, C
Do You Hear What I Hear?	Identify the different shapes animal ears make! S,M
Primate Antics	Practice observation skills on the Zoo’s primates. S
Staying Alive!	Explore physical and behavioral adaptations that keep animals alive. S
Toetally Wild	Look at animal footprints and discover how quickly toes and feet can add up. M

Activity	Description
Exsqueeze Me	Gather data and create pie charts to determine if the Zoo is displaying snakes people want to see. M
Handy Primates	Use observation and inquiry to find out about primate handedness. S
Insect Life Cycles	Explore how insects go through a “big change” at the World of the Insect. S
Toetally Wild	Look at animal footprints and discover how quickly toes and feet can add up. M

Activity	Description
Animal Stereotypes	Identify animal stereotypes and the impacts they may have. L, S
Ecosystem Architect	Design an imaginary ecosystem using Zoo residents. S
Ethology and Inquiry	Examine animal behavior and why studying it is important. S
Exhibit Consultant	Observe exhibit preferences, collect data, graph and analyze results. S, M
Investigating Enrichment	Explore enrichment and why it is important. S
Ultimate Survival	Explore how animals and plants interact with their environment. S

Activity	Description
Animal Stereotypes	Identify animal stereotypes and the impacts they may have. L, S
Ecosystem Architect	Design an imaginary ecosystem using Zoo residents. S
Ethology and Inquiry	Examine animal behavior and why studying it is important. S
Exhibit Consultant	Observe exhibit preferences, collect data, graph and analyze results. S, M
Investigating Enrichment	Explore enrichment and why it is important. S
Zoo Careers	Could you work at the Zoo? S, T, L

Cicadas

Brood X periodical cicadas are coming back this spring all across the eastern United States.
Visit cicadasafari.org for fun facts, activities, and help with the Cicada Safari mapping project. Cicada Safari is run by Dr. Gene Kritsky of Mount Saint Joseph University, of Cincinnati, Ohio.