Pack it Up
Subject: Science/Biology
Theme: Wolf Behavior
Duration: 20 to 30 minutes
Location: Classroom
OBJECTIVE
Students will be able to explain and discuss
the concept of the wolf pack and its underlying
social structure.
METHOD
Students will form their own "wolf packs"
complete with a dominance hierarchy based on teacher
provided standards
BACKGROUND
Wolves are social animals that live together
in packs. A wolf pack generally consists of a
mated pair and their offspring. The average pack
ranges in size from 5 to 8 animals, although some
packs may have only 2-3 wolves, while others may
number more than 20 members. Pack members are
arranged in a dominance hierarchy with the dominant
male or female (known as the alphas) at the top
and other pack members placed in order below them.
Each sex has its own hierarchy. The bonds between
individual pack members are very strong. The pack
structure and strong bonding promote harmony within
the pack and lead to a high degree of cooperation
among pack members.
MATERIALS
Badge or nametag that shows each student’s
position or role within their pack.
PROCEDURE
Begin by discussing the concept of a wolf
pack with your pack. Pose questions to the class
such as, "What is a wolf pack? How are they
organized? What purposes do packs serve?"
Introduce the concept of dominance hierarchy or
pecking order. Ask the students if they have seen
examples of this among their pets or in farm animals.
Divide your students into groups, which will become
their "packs". Possible ways packs could
be organized might include by age, height, grade,
birth dates, or in alphabetical order. At a given
signal from you, the students will mill around
among themselves, sorting each other out according
to the given criteria. Once the pack structure
has been determined, the students should record
or otherwise remember their position within the
pack.
EXTENSIONS
Ask the students for ideas as to how they
would organize their own packs. Ask them if they
notice any parallels in human behavior. Do they
belong to a pack of their own (clique, club, team,
or other social group)? How do wolves change their
position within their pack? How do people change
their status?
SOURCE
"Getting to know the Wolf," A Teacher’s
Guide to the "Wolf Pack" Materials
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