Galápagos Islands
Preview video by clicking the “play” arrow
Utterly unique and enchanting, the volcanic Galápagos Islands provide a captivating zoological adventure unlike any other. Marine Iguanas grazing from the sea floor, Vampire finches, giant tortoises and many other animals provide fascinating insights into adaptation and survival in this harsh and otherworldly environment.
Video length: 27:03 minutes.
Learning Resources with this Video*
Quizzes – PDF & Online
Awesomely Adapted
Galapagos Animals and Their Adaptations
Galapagos Islands Conservation
Look, Listen, Connect
Simile Sentences
Creative Writing Prompt
Country Report – Ecuador
Journal Excerpt
Draw A Landscape: Galapagos Islands
Universal Resources
National Standards
*Links are active on Full Video page.
Classroom Ideas
Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Tortoise: Species Profile
Ask students to research and write a species profile of the Galapagos tortoise. They should include information such as different subspecies, length, weight, etc. Younger students will enjoy drawing a picture.
Catching Some Rays!
Teach students about why reptiles need to warm themselves in the sun.
Animals of the Galapagos Islands
Explore animal life in the Galapagos Islands. Ask students to choose a native animal and research its habitat, appearance, diet, etc. Students can write a research paper or create a presentation about the animal.
Mapping
Have students print out a map of the Galapagos Islands and identify where the sites in the video are located.
Conservation
Prompt students to write a report about how people can conserve natural resources and eliminate threats to endangered species and civilization in the Galapagos Islands.
Art and Writing
Draw a picture of a Galapagos animal in its environment.
Then, write a paragraph about the animal you chose and the environment it lives in.
Art
Use playdoh or clay to create an insect or animal viewed in the video.
Country Report
Have students identify the following for the Galapagos Islands: landforms, population, how it is similar to the United States, history (how it came to be), type of government, economy, famous sites, interesting facts, languages spoken, etc.
Art
Draw a landscape from the Galapagos Islands.
Animal Comparison
Compare animals found in the Galapagos Islands, with Etosha National Park, Amazon Rainforest, Coral Reefs, and animals in their everyday life.
Diorama
Create a diorama of the Galapagos Islands.
Human Impact
Have students research the effects of humans on the Galapagos Islands, both positive and negative. Collect ideas as to how humans can help to protect this unique habitat as well as its inhabitants.
Galapagos Islands Journal
Have students write a diary or a story about traveling through the Galapagos Islands and discuss what they “saw” and experienced during their trip.
Webquest
Create a webquest on the animals of the Galapagos Islands. Students will work in pairs or small groups to complete the webquest, and then present their results.
The Galapagos Tortoise's Amazing Lifespan
The Galapagos tortoise can live up to 150 years! Tell students this and ask them to think of all the historical events that have happened in 150 years, making them realize that all those events have likely taken place within the lifetime of one Galapagos tortoise.
Adaptation and Evolution
Create a worksheet on the concept of adaptation and evolution.
Landforms and Bodies of Water
Identify landforms and bodies of water around the Galapagos Islands. Consider a comparison with other landforms in the world such as mountains and waterfalls in Cuba.
Explore Vocabulary
Identify key vocabulary terms while previewing each video. Prompt students to find the meaning of each word as they watch the video. Example: What does the word endemic mean? Think about the meaning of this word as you watch this video about the Galapagos Islands.
Save the Galapagos Islands Campaign
Students can create a mock campaign to preserve the Galapagos Islands and their important animals. This could include a campaign poster design, slideshow, persuasive speech presentation, etc.
Animal Art
Draw a picture of your favorite animal from the video.
Draw a picture of the ecosystem it lives in.
Taxonomy and the Animal Kingdom
Have students discuss what the taxonomy system is and how it is divided into different classifications. Then discuss the classification of the animal kingdom and how species in the Amazon Rainforest fit into it.
Ecotourism Debate
Create 2 debate teams – one team in favour of ecotourism, the other against. Students can use the video as part of their evidence in a debate, e.g. for/against ecotourism.
Creative Writing
Write a story with the Galapagos Islands as the setting. The main character could be from another country (compare and contrast characters).
The Galapagos Islands in Action
In groups, students could come up with and put on plays in which they play different Galapagos Island animals, showing ways that they can interact with each other. At the beginning of the play, students will individually introduce themselves as their chosen animal, giving the class information on its characteristics and habits.
Galapagos Islands Animal Presentations
Assign individual presentations on chosen Galapagos Islands animals. For example, students could create Powerpoint presentations and perhaps recordings/video depictions of stories, as well as poems, picture collages, posters, etc.
Classroom Ideas for ALL Videos
Here are dozens and dozens of ideas that you can use in your classroom along with our videos!
Topics Covered In This Video
Fun facts about the Galapagos Islands
History of the islands
Formation of the islands
Geography of the islands
Ocean life around the islands
Darwin’s expedition and findings
Galapagos Tortoises
Marine Iguanas
Remarkable birds & bird life
Many rare & fascinating animals
Volcanoes and lava tubes
Threats to the Galapagos Islands
Videos in this Series
Galapagos Islands (Spanish)
Related Videos
African Safari
How Coral Reefs Are Formed
Who Lives On a Coral Reef?
Amazon Rainforest (Grades 5-9)
Amazon Rainforest (Grades 2-6)
Amazon Rainforest: People & Threats (Grades 2-6)
