Welcome to the Learning Yurt
Thank you to the Atwood Foundation for their generous support of our Learning Yurt teacher and student resource page. Gather, explore and imagine! Our free conservation-based activities and lessons will inspire you to teach and learn about animals around the world.
Teacher Resources
Download lesson plans and resources. Great for classes, homeschoolers and more!
Self Guided Safari
Download our Self Guided Safari packets which are specific to the grades listed. Use them to prepare for your Self Guided Safari or other zoo field trips:
K-4 Lesson Plans and Resources (PDF files)
Zoo rules for schools (and any visitor!)
Highlight: Wildlife of Mongolia
Polar Bear Cam Activity Packet
Download our full Polar Bear Cam Activity Packet here (PDF). Watch our polar bear cam live and use it to complete the activities in our packet. Keep in mind that Cranbeary the polar bear does have access to some habitat areas which are not in the camera view. These activities can be completed even if she isn’t right in view! Includes the polar bear bingo sheet shown here.
Paper Yurt Craft
A yurt or “ger” is a traditional circular dwelling used by the nomadic people of Central Asia. They were places of living and gathering which were packed up and moved as people migrated. Learn more about these traditional dwellings here.
Make a paper yurt and learn about this traditional shelter used by the nomadic people of Central Asia. Download the instructions here (PDF). You will also need the template for this craft, download it here (PDF). To learn more about the use of yurts, visit this National Geographic page.
Tibetan Prayer Flag Craft
Make colorful prayer flags with positive messages and hang them up in your room!
This colorful craft project is simple - just use old sheets, pillow cases or other fabric cut into squares. You will need string, yarn or twine to connect them. Download our templates (PDF) and instructions (PDF) here. Learn more about the meaning of prayer flags here.
Zoo Jeopardy
Download and play Zoo Jeopardy with your students, friends or family. Learn about the Arctic and sub-Arctic species that live at the Alaska Zoo while scoring points and having fun! Great for parties or lessons about animal adaptations. Appropriate for all ages.
As a PowerPoint file, Zoo Jeopardy can be played on virtual meeting platforms with screen-sharing capabilities. Playing is simple, just follow these steps:
Download the “Read Only” PowerPoint.
Read the game instructions included on the first few slides.
Use the links within the slideshow to navigate to questions, answers and the main game board.
Gather students, friends or family members to play Zoo Jeopardy and learn more about your favorite animals!
Play Nature Bingo
Getting tired of being stuck inside this winter? Grab your coat and your mask and head outside to play Nature Bingo!
Download the Alaska Zoo’s Bingo Board to spark your curiosity and look for living and non-living things that make up the ecosystem of your backyard, city park or favorite trail.
Pro-tip: When playing Nature Bingo, use a real pair or make a pair of binoculars for extra fun!
Craft Corner: Animal Masks
Check out these fun craft activities to have fun while learning about animals and science.
Download PDF mask files to color, cut out and become your favorite animal: bear, lynx, river otter, tiger, wolf.
We will continue to add materials, downloadable files, videos and teacher resources to this page. Check back often! If you have questions about this page or education programs available with Zoo Educators, email education@alaskazoo.org. You can also visit our Education Directory page to see program listings.