Animal Homes

Animal

homes

A project- based lesson about animal habitats and adaptations.

3rd grade

writing

Standards

ISTE

• 1.3a Students plan and employ effective research strategies to locate information and other resources for their intellectual or creative pursuits.
• 1.3c Students curate information from digital resources using a variety of tools and methods to create collections of artifacts that demonstrate meaningful connections or conclusions.
• 1.6a Students choose the appropriate platforms and tools for meeting the desired objectives of their creation or communication.
• 1.7c Students contribute constructively to project teams, assuming various roles and responsibilities to work effectively toward a common goal.

Standards

MCCRS

• W.3.2 Write informative/expalnatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
• W.3.2a Introduce a topic and group related information together; include illustrations when useful aiding comprehension.
• W.3.6 With guidance and support from adults, use technology to produce and publish writing (using keyboarding skills) as well as to interact and collaborate with others.

• W.3.10 Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline- specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
• SL.3.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
• SL.3.4 Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, deseriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace.

Materials

Teacher

• computer
• picture of sample habitat model
• iPad for recording presentations
• Class Dojo
• school website
• class website

Students

grading rubric

• computer/iPad
• pencil
• Google Slides
• habitat model materials
• Class Dojo

graphic organizer (digital and/or paper

KWL chart

group assessment form

Anchor

Students are to imagine that they are being hired as researchers for a new animal relocation program that helps animals who have been displaced from their home by a natural disaster.

• Class research of habitat and adaptations of giraffe
• Students will work in groups
• Perform research

• Build habitat model for animal of choosing

Task

Directions

Students will...

• work in groups
• perform animal/habitat research using iPads or classroom computers
• use graphic organizers to collect information
• compile information into report using iPads (Google Slides presentation) or paper/pencil
• build habitat model using materials gathered by group members
• present to class

Student Choices

Students will...

• work as a group to choose an animal to research
• decide group member responsibilities
• research information to include in report
• make a habitat design
• choose materials
• decide how to present the project

Student Inquiry

Students will...

• use National Geographic Kids.com to perform research
• use the graphic organizer to record information

Collaboration and Teamwork

Students will work together to...

• make a plan
• assign responsibilities
• perform research

Teacher Coaching and Feedback

The teacher will...

• monitor student progress
• keep students on task
• give assistance when needed
• guide students on project improvements

Student Reflection

Students will...

Beginning

Middle

End

KWL

• Use chart to record what they know and want to know

• Use KWL chart to record what they learned
• complete group participation survey

• reflect on and compare what they knew to what they researched

Public Presentation

Teacher will...

Students will...

• Post pictures of models to school website
• Post videos of presentations to Class Dojo page

• Submit graphic organizer to Class Dojo page or paper copy to teacher
• Present habitat model to class

Assessment

Formative

• graphic organizer
• KWL chart

Summative

• group assessment form
• project rubric
• research report