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The Fishing Cat: A Master of Water (Gr 4-5)

The fishing cat looks off into the distance.

Students explain how the fishing cat's adaptations supports its survival and why protecting the species is important.

Duration
Less than 1 hour
Lesson Type
Traditional Lesson

Essential Question

How do adaptations help animals survive?

Why is it important to protect species like the fishing cat?

Grade(s):

  • 4
  • 5

Subject(s):

Recommended Technology:

iPad, computer, or laptop

 

Other Instructional Materials or Notes:

Pictures of different types of cats (Ex: cheetah, lion, house cat, etc.)

Books on or related to Fishing Cats (list in resources)

Zoo Minutes Fishing Cat video

Zoo Minutes Fishing Cat 360 interactive

Exit ticket

 

Teacher Notes

Lesson activities can be differentiated to meet your students' individual needs. Some examples are: using sentence frames, shortening activities, checks for understanding, modeling, pausing video at certain points, increasing wait time, allow additional time to complete activities, or working in pairs. 

Extension Activity: Students create a social media post or poster as part of a Conservation Campaign for the fishing cat or another animal of their choosing. The post/poster should include: facts about the animal, threats to their survival, suggestions for ways people can get involved or help.

Fishing Cat Book List

List of fiction and nonfiction books related to fishing cats.

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Fishing Cat: Built for the Water (Grades 3-5) Handout

This handout goes along with the "Fishing Cat: Built for the Water (Grades K-5)" lesson.

View Asset

Fishing Cat | Zoo Minutes

Meet Kayuma, a fishing cat whose story at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is part of a much larger effort to protect his species. Discover the adaptations that make fishing cats at home around water and how...

View Asset

Fishing Cat Research Guide (Grades 1-2)

Use this research guide as you learn about Fishing Cats.

View Asset

Fishing Cat Research Guide (3-5)

Use this research guide as you learn about Fishing Cats.

View Asset

Fishing Cat Data Dive (Gr 3)

In this hands-on, zoo-themed math lesson, students will analyze and interpret four distinct data representations—a dot plot, a data table, a scaled picture graph, and a bar graph—focusing on the...

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Fishing Cat: Who Eats Whom? Food Chain Lesson Plan (Grades K–2)

This lesson uses the fishing cat to introduce the idea that living things get what they need from other living things, and that the chain of "who eats whom" starts with the sun and plants. Students...

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Fishing Cat: Who Eats Whom? Food Chain Lesson Plan (Grades 4–5)

Students begin by predicting what the fishing cat eats, then watch the video to gather evidence about its prey and hunting style. Using illustrated organism cards from a wetland habitat, they build a...

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Assessments

Teacher observation, exit tickets

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