ink drawing of a family of Bears

Animals of the American West Lesson for grades 3-5

Resource Type
Lesson
Grade Level:
3–5
Discipline:
Social Studies, Science, Environment, ELA
Topic:
Animals, Nature, Natural Resources, Poetry

Self-Paced Lesson 

Students learn about different animals in the American West that provided clothes, food, homes, tools, and transportation to different people long ago by looking at images from the Autry Museum's collection. Students write a poem about their favorite animal.


Standards 

CA HSS: 3.1.2.

CA NGSS: 3-LS4-4


Lesson and Resources

Lesson: Animals of the American West Lesson for grades 3-5Spanish

Student Response Sheet: Animals of the American West Lesson for grades 3-5 Fillable Student Response SheetSpanish


Associated Education Resources


Teaching Tips for Different Learning Environments 

Whole Class In-Person Learning: Teacher models lesson with Bison. Students grouped by other animals, brainstorm things their assigned animals provided people (tools, shelter, clothing, food), create poster with images and present to class.

Whole Class Distance Learning:  Teacher models lesson with Bison. Students grouped by other animals in breakout rooms and brainstorm things their assigned animals provided people (tools, shelter, clothing, food); group share out.

Tech Fun: Use flipgrid or another application to share out brainstorms on other animals and what they provide.

Educational Programs at the Autry are sponsored by:

Dean and Laura Beresford · Molly and Neal Brockmeyer · Vince and Colleen Caballero · Capital Group · David F. Eisenberg · The Georgina-Fredrick Children's Foundation · Christy McAvoy · Marleen and Bruce Rognlien · Robert E. Ronus · Brenda and Gary Ruttenberg · The Steinmetz Foundation · Virginia F. Stevenson · Thelma Pearl Howard Foundation

Land Acknowledgment

The Autry Museum of the American West acknowledges the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (the Los Angeles basin and So. Channel Islands). We recognize that the Autry Museum and its campuses are located on the traditional lands of Gabrielino/Tongva peoples and we pay our respects to the Honuukvetam (Ancestors), ‘Ahiihirom (Elders) and ‘Eyoohiinkem (our relatives/relations) past, present and emerging.

The Autry Museum in Griffith Park

4700 Western Heritage Way

Los Angeles, CA 90027-1462
Located northeast of downtown, across from the Los Angeles Zoo.
Map and Directions

Free parking for Autry visitors.


MUSEUM AND STORE HOURS
Tuesday–Friday 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

DINING
Food Trucks are available on select days, contact us for details at 323.495.4252.
The cafe is temporarily closed until further notice.