Science
Animals of the World
Conceptual
9–11 yrs
Animal Intelligence
动物智慧
Description
Explore animal intelligence and complex behaviour — chimpanzees and crows use tools, dolphins recognise themselves in mirrors, octopuses solve puzzles and escape enclosures, elephants mourn their dead, meerkats teach their young to handle scorpions — understanding that many animals think, learn, and have social lives more complex than once believed
Mastery Evidence
- Gives at least 4 examples of animal intelligence or complex behaviour
- Explains what 'tool use' means and names at least 2 tool-using animals
- Discusses how scientists test animal intelligence (mirror test, puzzle boxes, observation)
- Shows understanding that intelligence takes different forms in different species
Assessment Prompt
If your child watches a video of a crow using a stick to get food from a tube, can they explain that this shows animal intelligence and give other examples of animals that use tools, solve problems, or show complex behaviour?
