Astoria Park Elementary
Tallahassee, Florida
Gifted and Talented Program

The Great Ape Project
Spring 2007
Teacher: Mrs. Sandy Beck

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This class is an in-depth study of the non-human hominoids – chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas and orangutans – and of efforts to conserve their populations.

Students will become familiar with the science of ethology – the comparative study of animal behavior.

They will study scientific theories of how great apes evolved and how humans and great apes are alike and different. Students will compare primate anatomy, locomotion and behavior. Students will study their behavior in the wild through several very excellent videos, books and web sites. They will learn how great apes use tools and how they communicate with others of their kind and, now, with us.

There will be a field trip to the Jacksonville Zoo's "Great Apes of the World" exhibit to compare their behavior in the wild with their behavior in captivity. Students will also closely observe the apes and complete ethograms, charting their behaviors.

Dr. Elizabeth H. Peters, associate professor of anthropology at Florida State University, will visit our classroom to discuss her work with primates and engage students in hands-on activities in which they will study skulls and skeletons of the four great apes and other primates.

Each student will be responsible for a term project which will involve significant research, time and creativity.

GAP Complete Course Description and Syllabus

GAP Internet Links

Student Assignments and Projects

Primate taxonomy (scientific classification)

Information for parents about Jacksonville Zoo Field Trip

Jacksonville Zoo Field Trip Permission Form

Baby Bonobo

Gifted and Talented Program

The Wild Classroom