Get Students Excited About Science - One Wild Animal Name at a Time!

Turn Wild Animal Names Into Unforgettable Science Lessons!

Hey teachers! Want to get your students excited about science—without extra prep? These four engaging activities, inspired by

The Screaming Hairy Armadillo, turn wacky animal names into powerful learning experiences.

Paired with Curiosity-Based Thinking, these activities turn wonder into learning through four simple steps: pique curiosity, dig deeper, reframe ideas, and take action. Each activity is designed to be flexible, engaging, and most importantly, doable for busy teachers like you.

Why This Book + Curiosity = Classroom Magic

The Screaming Hairy Armadillo is packed with animals so bizarrely named (hello, "Fried Egg Jellyfish" and "Sparkle Muffin Peacock Spider"!) that your students won’t be able to resist diving in. Curiosity-Based Thinking takes that natural "What’s that?" reaction and transforms it into deep learning. The result? Kids who are excited to explore science—all while having a blast.

"My students’ questions multiplied exponentially after our first day with these unusually-named animals. Their curiosity became contagious!" - Jamie L., 4th Grade Teacher

At a Glance: Activities to Try Tomorrow

• Animal Name Detective: Students investigate the stories behind wacky animal names
• Name That Animal!: Kids create and name their own imaginary creatures
• Animal Adaptation Exploration: Connect unusual names to survival skills
• Curiosity Mind Map: Visualize the learning journey
• Wacky Animal News Network: Transform students into animal journalists

Activity 1: Animal Name Detective

What It’s About: Turn your students into "detectives" who uncover the secrets behind an animal’s wacky name—and sneak in some science skills along the way.

Materials: The book, paper or notebooks, optional research tools (like library books or a tablet), "Detective Case File" template (downloadable from our website).

Time: 30-45 minutes (or shorter if needed).

Quick Win: Even a 15-minute investigation of just the Screaming Hairy Armadillo itself can spark amazing discussions about animal characteristics and scientific naming!

How to Do It:

1. Pique Curiosity: Hold up The Screaming Hairy Armadillo and read the title with flair. Ask, "Why do you think an armadillo would scream? What’s hairy about it?" Pass the book around and have students find the most unusual name that catches their eye.
2. Dig Deeper: Have each student pick an animal from the book (like the "Sarcastic Fringehead"). They’ll read about it and jot down: Why’s it called that? What’s its scientific name? How are they different? Add a quick research step for older kids if you’ve got time.
3. Reframe Ideas: Gather for a quick class chat. Do the names match what they learned? For example, does the "Fried Egg Jellyfish" (Cotylorhiza tuberculata) really look like breakfast? This is where they start thinking like scientists!
4. Take Action: Students create a "detective report"—a poster, short talk, or comic strip—to share their findings. Create a classroom "Weird Animal Names Museum" where students can tour each other’s discoveries.

Teacher Tip: Keep it simple for younger grades with just the book and a drawing. For a challenge, have older students compare common vs. scientific names or research how names vary across cultures. Try setting up video calls with local scientists to answer questions about animal naming!

Why It’s Awesome: Kids love mysteries, and this activity makes them name-sleuths while introducing biology basics. Plus, it’s a riot to see what they come up with, and they’ll build research skills applicable across subjects.

Activity 2: Name That Animal!

What It’s About: Unleash creativity as students invent their own imaginary animals and give them unforgettable names.

Materials: Paper, crayons or markers, animal part cards (optional), and a big dose of imagination.

Time: 20-30 minutes.

How to Do It:

1. Pique Curiosity: Ask, "What makes an animal name funny or cool?" Share a few from the book—like "Chocolate Dip Damselfish"—and watch their faces light up. Play a quick round of "What If?" by asking, "What if we combined two animals? What would we call it?"
2. Dig Deeper: Each student designs their own creature (think "Glitter-Toothed Snorkelbeast"). They’ll draw it and write a quick blurb about its habitat, food, and quirks. For structure, provide "Animal Creation Cards" with prompts like "Where does it live?" and "What special ability does it have?"
3. Reframe Ideas: Have them explain their name choice. Does it fit the animal’s looks or personality? Ask, What if anything’s possible?—letting their creativity shine. Discuss how scientists name new species today.
4. Take Action: Host a class "Animal Name Awards" where students show off their creations. Vote on fun categories like "Silliest Name" or "Most Creative Critter." Create a class "Field Guide to Imaginary Animals" to bind and add to your classroom library!

Differentiation Idea: Provide sentence starters for emerging writers or challenge advanced students to create an entire ecosystem for their animal.

Teacher Tip: Add a writing twist with a short story about their animal, or team up for a group "zoo" display. Tailor it with sentence starters or ecosystem challenges based on student levels.

Why It’s Awesome: Kids become inventors, blending wild ideas with real naming patterns. It boosts confidence and creativity while sneaking in concepts like habitats and adaptations!

Activity 3: Animal Adaptation Exploration

What It’s About: Connect wacky names to real-life survival skills, turning science into a treasure hunt.

Materials: The book, paper, art supplies (or digital tools if you’re techy), adaptation cards.

Time: 30-45 minutes.

How to Do It:

1. Pique Curiosity: Ask, "What’s an adaptation?" (Quick answer: how animals survive!) Have students pick an animal and guess its adaptations from its name—like what a "Sarcastic Fringehead" might do to thrive. Show a quick video clip of an animal’s unique adaptation.
2. Dig Deeper: They’ll check their guesses by reading about the animal in the book (or researching online). How does its name tie to its survival tricks—or does it? Set up an "Adaptation Station" for groups to explore types like camouflage or defense mechanisms.
3. Reframe Ideas: Compare predictions to facts. Did the name hint at something (like "Sparkle Muffin" for a flashy spider)? Ask, What if challenges are opportunities?—like how animals adapt. Discuss how humans could learn from these traits.
4. Take Action: Students make a visual—a diagram, poster, or mini-video—showing the animal and its adaptations. Share with a buddy or the class to build science-talk skills. Add an "Adaptation Challenge" to design a solution inspired by these traits.

Teacher Tip: Short on time? Do one animal as a class. Want more? Compare animals with similar adaptations. Connect with other classrooms via video chat to share findings!

Why It’s Awesome: It’s a guessing game meets discovery, tying names to nature in a sticky way. Kids sharpen critical thinking by analyzing form and function.

Activity 4: Curiosity Mind Map

What It’s About: Help students see their curiosity journey from spark to big idea, all on one cool visual.

Materials: Large paper or whiteboard, markers, sticky notes in four colors (for each thinking step).

Time: 15-20 minutes (great as a wrap-up or ongoing project).

How to Do It:

1. Pique Curiosity: Draw a circle on the board labeled "Curiosity with The Screaming Hairy Armadillo." Ask, "What pops into your head first?" Play a quick "What Makes You Wonder?" game with their initial questions.
2. Dig Deeper: Add four branches: "Pique," "Dig," "Reframe," and "Act." Students toss out ideas for each (e.g., "Pique: Hear the title," "Dig: Learn about an animal"). Use colored sticky notes for them to add thoughts over the week.
3. Reframe Ideas: Discuss how their curiosity grew. "How did your thoughts change?" This shows learning as a journey. Add a "Wonder Wall" for new questions that pop up.
4. Take Action: Let students add branches or doodles to the map. Hang it up as a class masterpiece! Keep it evolving as you explore more animals and science concepts.

Assessment Opportunity: Mind maps document student thinking and growth—perfect for portfolios!

Teacher Tip: Make it ongoing—add to it weekly. It’s a powerful visual of your class’s learning journey. Go digital with tools like Padlet or Jamboard.

Why It’s Awesome: Kids love seeing their ideas take shape, making curiosity feel real and exciting. It’s also a great tool to track thinking over time.

Activity 5: Wacky Animal News Network

What It’s About: Transform students into journalists reporting on the strange and wonderful world of unusually named animals.

Materials: The book, paper for scripts, props (optional), tablet or camera for recording (optional).

Time: 45-60 minutes (can split into planning and presentation days).

How to Do It:

1. Pique Curiosity: Show wildlife documentary clips or news segments. Ask, "How would you explain the Blobfish to someone who’s never seen it?"
2. Dig Deeper: Form news teams to research chosen animals, focusing on what makes them newsworthy. Teams write scripts with facts, "interviews," and field reports.
3. Reframe Ideas: Practice presentations to make science engaging. Discuss how media shapes our view of nature.
4. Take Action: Host a "WANN (Wacky Animal News Network)" broadcast day. Record if possible and share with parents or other classes.

Teacher Tip: Ties into language arts standards like speaking and media literacy. Assign roles (researcher, writer, presenter) based on strengths.

Why It’s Awesome: Kids practice communication, translate science for a broad audience, and get creative. It’s a STEAM win blending science and arts!

Cross-Curricular Connections

• Math: Create graphs comparing animal sizes, lifespans, or habitats
• Language Arts: Write persuasive essays on which animal has the best name
• Geography: Map where these unusually named animals live
• Art: Study animal art across cultures and create artistic representations
• Social Studies: Research how different cultures name and classify animals

Digital Extensions

• Create digital "Trading Cards" for animals using design tools like Canva
• Use QR codes linked to student research that visitors can scan
• Start a classroom blog documenting your curiosity journey
• Create simple animations showing how animals use their adaptations
• Develop a digital quiz game about animal names and facts

Supporting Science Standards (NGSS)

These activities align with Next Generation Science Standards, including:

• LS1.A: Structure and Function - Exploring how animal structures aid survival
• LS4.D: Biodiversity and Humans - Appreciating biological diversity
• Science Practice 1: Asking Questions - Centering on curiosity-driven inquiry
• Science Practice 8: Communicating Information - Sharing findings in various forms
• Crosscutting Concept: Structure and Function - Analyzing traits and their purposes

Why These Activities Rock Your Classroom

• Super Flexible: Got 15 minutes? Do the mind map. Have an hour? Stretch out the detective work.
• Totally Engaging: Laughter, creativity, and discovery keep kids hooked—science feels like playtime.
• Skill-Building Sneaky: Critical thinking, communication, and science basics slip in while they’re having fun.
• Low-Prep Wins: Just the book and basic supplies—no fancy setup needed.
• Inclusive Design: Multiple entry points ensure every student can join in successfully.
• Assessment Ready: Each activity offers ways to assess science standards and 21st-century skills.

Try just ONE activity this week, and see how your students light up with wonder. Let’s get kids excited about science—starting now!

Bonus Idea: Create a "Curiosity Corner" in your classroom with rotating featured animals from the book, quick facts, and materials for self-directed exploration during free time.

Connect & Share: Snap a pic of your students’ projects (with permission) and share them online—I’d love to cheer on their curiosity!

Let’s make learning a wild, joyful ride together. Happy teaching!

Teacher Testimonials

"My students couldn’t stop talking about the Sparkle Muffin Spider! What started as a fun Friday activity turned into a month-long inquiry project." - Jaime C., 4th Grade Teacher

"As someone who teaches both science and ELA, I love how these activities bridge both subjects effortlessly. The Animal News Network was a huge hit and boosted my shy students’ presentation skills dramatically." - Marcus T., 5th Grade Teacher

"The mind mapping technique has transformed how my students approach all subjects now, not just science. They’re asking better questions and making connections I never expected!" - Dana L., 3rd Grade Teacher

I'm curious what you learn and create with your students' curiosity! Please let me know and thanks for spreading the curiosity!

And here's the Screaming Hairy Armadillo Educator Guide for even more Curiosity-Based Thinking fun and activities with The Screaming Hairy Armadillo!

Stay curious!

Matt