Objectives:

• Students will discuss the reasons why animals – including humans – need different amounts of sleep.
• Students will understand that different animals – including humans – need different amounts of sleep.

Standards:

• Understands the influence of rest, food choices, exercise, sleep, and recreation on a person's well-being. (McREL)
• Understands and demonstrates ways in which his or her health and well-being can be enhanced and maintained. (National Health Education Standards)

Materials:

• Copies of the "Guess How Much Sleep These Animals Need" worksheet
• Poster board and a marker
• Sample "Sleep Chart"

Procedures:

1. In advance of the class, use your poster board and marker to create a "Sleep Chart" for your students. Refer to the sample sleep chart for guidelines. Keep this tucked away during the next two steps.
2. Distribute copies of the "Guess How Much Sleep These Animals Need" worksheet to your students. Ask them to spend a few minutes filling in the blanks.
3. Review the correct answers with your students. If you like, you can also share the additional information included on your answer sheet.
4. Take out your "Sleep Chart." Ask one student to use the marker to write a big "Z" next to the number of hours a giraffe sleeps each night. Ask another student to do the same for the African elephant, then the cow, and so on until the chart is full.
5. Lead your students in a brief discussion of the information in the chart using the discussion questions below.

Discussion Questions:

1. Why do all animals – including humans – need sleep?
2. Why do different animals need different amounts of sleep?
3. Do you think you are getting enough sleep? Why or why not?