BuiLD YouR WiLD SeLF

The Wildlife Conservation Society and the New York Zoos and Aquarium have developed an interesting and educational interactive website. The site is called BuiLD YouR WiLD SeLF. This fun interactive site allows students to name and build "creatures" with various adaptations. Once their creature is "born" it is given an scientific name along with a description of its various adaptations. What's great about this activity is that teachers can use this site for various educational purposes.

• Students can create characters for their writing assignments to help build vocabulary and develop descriptive writing.
  
• Language Arts Teachers can use it as a story starter or discussion topic for an upcoming writing unit.
• Geography teachers can use it to introduce various regions of the world.
  
• Science teachers can ask questions about an organisms adaptations. "Why do you think the "pea-dog-bush-fro-iger-fly-crocodile" has large eyes and webbed feet?"

As you build your wild self, sounds are played to correspond with the various parts. If you choose a peacock crest, you'll hear the sounds that a peacock makes. You are also able to share your creature with your friends. Enjoy!