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Why do some animals live in groups?

Animal Groups & Survival
Lesson narration:
English Spanish
Scroll for prep
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DISCUSS:

What can be difficult about living or working in a group?

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DISCUSS:

How might living in a group help an animal?

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Slide Image
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environment


1 of 11

a living thing’s surroundings, including other living things and nonliving parts like soil, water, and air

behavior


2 of 11

the actions and reactions of living things
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social behavior


3 of 11

the behaviors of living things that live in groups
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colony


4 of 11

a group of animals of the same kind, such as ants, that live and work closely together
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solitary


5 of 11

lives mostly alone
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predator


6 of 11

an animal that hunts and eats other animals

communicate


7 of 11

to exchange information
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protection


8 of 11

the act of keeping something or someone safe
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survive


9 of 11

to stay alive
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observe


10 of 11

to pay close attention to something
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evidence


11 of 11

information that can be used to support or reject an idea
Why do some animals live in groups?
Animal Groups & Survival
Lesson narration:
English Spanish

Activity Prep

Print Prep
This lesson was revised on June 13, 2026. Here is a link to the previous version.
In this lesson, students explore how living in a group can help animals survive. In the activity, Field Journal, students make observations of different animals that live in groups. They use their recorded observations to construct an explanation that being part of a group helps animals find food, stay protected, and adjust to changes in their environment.
Preview activity

Vocabulary

Vocabulary

Student slideshow: English | Spanish

Teacher printout: English & Spanish

Not included in your Mystery Pack

Field Journal printout
1 per student
Field Journal Answer Key printout
1 per class
Stapler
1 stapler per group
Prep Instructions

Each student will make their own Field Journal. We suggest students work in table groups of four and share a stapler to construct their journals. Homeschool students can work on their own.

The page numbers of the Field Journal will look scrambled on the printout, but when students fold them and make their booklets, the pages will be in order. We have unscrambled the Answer Key to make grading easier.

Standards

Jump to

Exploration

10 mins

Hands-On Activity

35 mins

Wrap-Up

5 mins

Extend this lesson

Unit Reading

Unit Reading

The Scientists of Lizard Island

In this reading, scientists learn about how scientists studied what happened when new brown anoles were introduced to an island inhabited by green anoles.

Mini-lessons

Mini-lessons

You can elaborate student learning and engagement with Mystery Science mini-lessons.

If you are in an NGSS state, these mini-lessons support the DCI LS2.D: Social Interactions and Group Behavior

Transcripts

Credits
 
Selection Lesson 4: Why do some animals live in groups?

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