Activity 10 - A Bear’s Life: Five Examples

Intermediate/Advanced

• To investigate the lives of five bears and what we can learn from them.

• Bear Profiles:
  - Skoki
  - Bear #67
  - Anonymous Bear
  - Kootenay
  - Bart
• Writing materials
• Presentation materials

Report / Presentation

1. Each of the bears discussed in this activity are actual bears that lived. Their stories raise interesting questions.

a) Divide the class into five groups. Assign each group a Bear Profile. After reading and discussion, each group will present the story of their bear to the class.

2. Each group member reads through the assigned Bear Profile.

b) As a group, discuss the issues associated with this bear. Answer the questions on the sheet. Do all members of the group agree or are there a variety of opinions? Listen to and try to understand each person’s point of view.
c) Decide how your group will tell the story of your bear to the class. Instead of simply reading the profile, you could dramatize the events, turn it into a legend, or present it as a scientific study. Make sure everyone in the group has a role to play.

3. When ready, each group presents the story of their bear to the class. Each presentation is followed by a group discussion addressing the questions included in the Profile. Explain how your group feels about the issues.

• Ability to grasp larger issues from one bear’s story
• Ability to form and express an opinion
• Ability to respect the opinions of others
• Presentation and communication skills

Environmental Science; Language Learning; Drama

Introduction – Activities – Glossary – Guided Program
Whyte Museum – Bears: 2000 and Beyond Teacher's Guide