Lesson One: Buffalo in South Dakota and Natural History

Focus Questions:

• How did the buffalo get its name? (from early European explorers)
• What common animal is related to the buffalo? (beef cattle)
• Why were/are buffalo able to do so well in North America? (They eat plants that cattle will not; they dig through snow to reach grass; they get water from eating snow; they have thick coats)

Imbedded Information in the Student Lesson:

Comparison of cattle and buffalo

Worksheet:

Buffalo Crossword Puzzle

Classroom Activities:

     The zoological term Bison bison is the actual name for the buffalo. Have students study animal order charts found in science textbooks to determine other animals related to buffalo. As a group project, have students pick related animals and make charts with detailed information about each animal (size, habits, age, and so on). What differences exist between related animals? Have the students provide reasons for these differences (adaptability to climate, terrain, food sources, and so forth).