Concept featured in film: Animal Behavior; Domestication vs. Wild

Play Flickclip Here (Quicktime)

Summary of clip: The call of a wild wolf attracts Buck’s wild side.  Finding the wolf Buck runs and “plays” with the wolf for a while feeling completely wild.  His attachment to John Thornton is too strong though and he goes back to him.

Connection of flickclip to the concept: Dogs have been domesticated for many years now causing some of their wild behaviors to be hidden behind the loving family pet.  However, with enough exposure and motivation the wild dog can be reborn within that pet as Buck is figuring out as he spends more and more time in the wild environment.

1. Suggested questions for students when viewing the clip:

a. What does it mean for an animal to be domesticated?

b. What was the first domesticated animal?

c. Do animals have emotions?

 

2. Have students research the development of the relationship between humans and their beloved pets.  For instance, have one student look up the history of the domestication of the dog, while another investigates the domestication of the horse and so on.

 

3. Have students create their ideal pet.  Students can do this very creatively by first categorizing characteristics and behaviors that they like about “real” pets and then using some creative way to represent the animal they create.  They could do this in groups or individually.  They should explain their ideal pets to the class.