📖

Instinct: Born Knowing

Animal Behavior and Communication

Day 51of 180
Week 11of 36
40Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)

Learning Objectives

1

Understand what instinctive behaviors are in animals

2

Identify examples of animal instincts in nature

3

Appreciate God's design in animal survival mechanisms

Job 12:7-9

But ask the animals, now, and they will teach you; the birds of the sky, and they will tell you. Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you. The fish of the sea will declare to you.

Job 12:7-9 (WEB)

Demonstrates how animals have innate knowledge given by God

📦 Materials Needed

  • BibleMouse observation journal
  • Pencils
  • Animal behavior videos
  • Behavior chart
  • World English Bible

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Welcome to today's BibleMouse science adventure! Last week we explored how our bodies respond automatically, and today we'll discover how animals are born with amazing built-in survival skills.

💭 Review Question: What automatic responses did we learn about yesterday?
2Teaching (15 min)

Instincts are special behaviors animals know how to do without being taught. Just like God designed our bodies with reflexes, He gave animals incredible natural abilities.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Baby birds know how to build nests without lessons
  • Salmon can navigate thousands of miles to their birthplace
  • Baby sea turtles know exactly how to reach the ocean
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • What instincts have you noticed in pets or wild animals?
  • How might these instincts help animals survive?
3Activity: Instinct Investigation (15 min)
observation

Use your BibleMouse observation journal to record animal instinct examples from videos or nature documentaries

📝 Instructions:
  1. Watch selected animal behavior video
  2. Identify at least 3 instinctive behaviors
  3. Draw or describe how these behaviors help the animal survive
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Focus on 1-2 clear instinct examples

Challenge: Research and compare instincts across different animal species

4Closing (5 min)

Reflect on how God's incredible design gives animals everything they need to survive

📝 Review Questions:
  • What was the most surprising instinct you learned about today?
  • How do animal instincts show God's wisdom?

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll explore how animals learn behaviors from their parents and environment

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Instincts are complex, genetically programmed behaviors that help animals survive

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use engaging videos to illustrate concepts
  • Encourage curiosity about animal behaviors
  • Connect scientific observations to God's design
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might confuse learned behaviors with instincts

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Ability to distinguish between automatic and learned behaviors

Extension Activities

  • Visit a local zoo or wildlife center to observe animal behaviors
  • Create a poster showing different animal instincts
  • Read additional BibleMouse recommended books about animal life

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 52Back to Science