GalapaGo!
GalapaGo!

Ready-to-Use Lesson Plans

Comprehensive, standards-aligned lesson plans featuring Galápagos wildlife. Each lesson includes objectives, activities, assessments, and extension ideas for multiple grade levels.

Available Lesson Plans

5 comprehensive lesson plans covering Galápagos wildlife and ecosystems

K-12 AlignedStandards BasedPrint Ready
3-56-8
Galápagos Volcanoes: Islands Born from Fire
Earth Science / Geography90 minutes
Duration:90 minutes
Grade Levels:3-5, 6-8
Activities:3 hands-on activities

Learning Objectives:

  • Students will understand how volcanic hotspots create island chains
  • Students will identify different types of volcanoes in the Galápagos
  • + 2 more objectives

Featured Activities:

Hotspot Island Chain ModelVolcano Type InvestigationExplosive Eruption Simulation

Materials Included:

  • Detailed lesson plan with timing
  • Student worksheets and handouts
  • Assessment tools and rubrics
  • Extension activities and resources
4-66-89-12
Darwin's Voyage: The HMS Beagle and Revolutionary Discoveries
History / Science / Geography120 minutes (can be split into 2 sessions)
Duration:120 minutes (can be split into 2 sessions)
Grade Levels:4-6, 6-8, 9-12
Activities:4 hands-on activities

Learning Objectives:

  • Students will trace the route of HMS Beagle's second voyage
  • Students will understand Darwin's key observations in the Galápagos
  • + 2 more objectives

Featured Activities:

Mapping the Beagle's JourneyDarwin's Galápagos ObservationsSpecimen Classification Challenge

Materials Included:

  • Detailed lesson plan with timing
  • Student worksheets and handouts
  • Assessment tools and rubrics
  • Extension activities and resources
3-56-89-12
Building Islands: How the Galápagos Were Born
Earth Science / Geology / Geography90 minutes
Duration:90 minutes
Grade Levels:3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Activities:4 hands-on activities

Learning Objectives:

  • Students will explain how tectonic plates and hotspots create islands
  • Students will identify the age progression of Galápagos islands
  • + 2 more objectives

Featured Activities:

Hotspot Island FactoryAge Detective InvestigationBuild Your Own Shield Volcano

Materials Included:

  • Detailed lesson plan with timing
  • Student worksheets and handouts
  • Assessment tools and rubrics
  • Extension activities and resources
K-23-56-8
Meet Blue the Blue-footed Booby
Life Science / Marine Biology45-60 minutes
Duration:45-60 minutes
Grade Levels:K-2, 3-5, 6-8
Activities:4 hands-on activities

Learning Objectives:

  • Students will identify the distinctive features of Blue-footed Boobies
  • Students will describe the mating dance and courtship behaviors
  • + 2 more objectives

Featured Activities:

Blue Feet InvestigationThe Blue-footed Booby DanceDiving Demo

Materials Included:

  • Detailed lesson plan with timing
  • Student worksheets and handouts
  • Assessment tools and rubrics
  • Extension activities and resources
3-56-89-12
Meet Iggy the Marine Iguana
Life Science / Animal Adaptations50-60 minutes
Duration:50-60 minutes
Grade Levels:3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Activities:3 hands-on activities

Learning Objectives:

  • Students will identify unique adaptations of marine iguanas
  • Students will explain how marine iguanas survive in saltwater environments
  • + 2 more objectives

Featured Activities:

Salt Solution ExperimentSunbathing Like an IguanaSwimming Adaptations Investigation

Materials Included:

  • Detailed lesson plan with timing
  • Student worksheets and handouts
  • Assessment tools and rubrics
  • Extension activities and resources