Science: Animal Research Project
ProjectInitiator
Sheryl Buche
Collaborators Jenny Depa
TechIntegrationist
Dan Gibson
LearningGoal
Students will research a chosen animal to answer given questions. Toresearch their animal, students will utilize nonfiction text and technologyto answer these questions. Students will create a final videopresentation on their animal.
How can we, as scientist, create a video to teach our class and parentsabout our animal?
CommonCore
Language Arts:K.RI.1 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about keydetails in a text.K.W.2 Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to composeinformative/explanatory texts in which they name what they are writing about andsupply some information about the topic.K.SL.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners aboutkindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.K.SL.2 Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presentedorally or through other media by asking and answering questions about keydetails and requesting clarification if something is not understood.K.SL.5 Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions as desired toprovide additional detail.K.SL.6 Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly.
StateStandards
Life Science:K.3.1 Observe and draw physical features of common plants andanimals.
K.3.2 Describe and compare living animals in terms of shape, texture ofbody covering, size, weight, color and the way they move.
K.3.3. Describe and compare living plants in terms of growth, parts,
shape, size, color, and texture.
TechnologyPiece
iPadsQR codesCamera AppLittleBirdTales AppEdmodo
Marzano Strategies:● Cooperative Learning (Share, present, and compare)● Similarities and Differences● Simple Note Takingnote cards
Duration: Seven30 Minute PeriodsLesson Sequence:Initial Instruction (attention, prior knowledge & goals) Week 1
1. Discuss project with students and choose their animal2. Students will look through nonfiction books and search websites (QR Code
Worksheet)
a. http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/animals/b. http://www.kidzone.ws/animals/index.htmlc. http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/animals/creaturefeature/d. http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/preschool/animals.htm
e. http://www.kidsbiology.com/animalsforchildren.phpf. http://www.anglomaniacy.pl/printableAnimals2.htm
3. Give students a journal to record informationa. Page 1 Draw a picture and one thing you think you know about the animal
Week 2:1. Introduce and model how to use a note taking organizer and how to research online
a. Descriptionb. Where the animal livesc. What it eatsd. Cool Facts
Week 3:1. Students begin research2. Record findings on the web in their journal
Week 4:1. Continue research and begin illustrations for each fact
Using Tech (present, guide, & perform)
Week 5:1. Continue illustrations and begin writing facts to match illustrations
Week 6:1. Finish illustrations and writing.2. Begin recording final project.
Continuation (feedback, assess, & extend) Week 7:
1. Finish recording and present to group2. Go back to illustration and prediction from week 1 and discuss if there initial
prediction was right and something they learned about their animal.3. Compare animals with a partner.4. Complete alike/different chart.
Presentations:1. Present to their class when completed2. Edmodo page to share with parents and other schools
a. Students can comment on other students writingi. Commenting Guidelines
1. Watch the whole video2. Write one thing you liked about the video3. Be Nice!
SummativeAssessment
The ISTEP Applications 6point scale was used to grade student’swriting application.
The ISTEP Convention 4point scale was used to grade student’sconvention usage.
Student Scale Thumbs up, side, or down
Student Jaguars by Jojo
Examples
Reflection:The students enjoyed using the iPads for research & final project. This project would workbest in a small group of 4, allowing the teacher a better opportunity to direct the students.Maybe this could even be a partner project. I wonder about allowing the students to choosethe information they want to research based on what they think they know and what theywant to learn, possibly using a KWL as an organizer.
Future Changes:Holding the group in the classroom around a kidney table to allow for discussion and betterdirection. The science lab was a large unfamiliar environment with tables and chairs toobig for the students. Find 4, instead of 6, good sites and create a set of QR codes for eachstudent with a description to assist in remember the content of each. Have the QR codelink directly to information about the animal chosen instead of the home site.
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