Introduction
Welcome! Following our novel study of The One and Only Ivan we will keep with the theme of zoos and use our third-grade generalization of STRUCTURE to create a cross-curricular activity using this web quest!
Today we will start our venture in creating sanctuaries (habitats) for different zoo animals. Collectively, you will bring together the research of the various animals you are responsible for researching and together you will design a zoo for the animals.
Your task is to design a zoo. You need to make sure your zoo is designed so that visitors and animals are safe and comfortable. You want to make sure the animal enclosures provide enough space so that the animals can play, rest, eat and feel free in their new home. Throughout the lesson, you will learn the formula for area and perimeter. In the end, you will use the formula to design your zoo and animal enclosures.
Enjoy!
Mrs. Geasley
Task
You and your classmates are zoo designers. You will be creating zoo habitats for three animals.
Each of you will do the following:
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Find out what kind of habitat your animals live in and how much space they need
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Design a zoo space for each one by calculating perimeter and area
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Draw the habitats you created for your animals on paper
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Create a class zoo by combining your habitats with the other students!
Process
1)
| 1 | https://www.khanacademy.org/math/geometry/hs-geo-foundations/hs-geo-area/v/perimeter-and-area-basics |
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2) Let's practice finding perimeter and area of different shapes and figures.
https://www.mathplayground.com/area_perimeter.html
3) Once you're confident in your abilities calculating perimeter and area, it's time to do some research! Before you can build your zoo, you need to know a little bit more about the animals you will be building for. Below, find your group number and assigned animals.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sxVyzsnl9Fltu3Mq7I5tdqv669t4d3Hig_ZjgyxZcpE/edit
Follow the links next to your assigned animals to find out information about their habitats. Use the worksheets that have been provided in your folder to record your information.
4) Now it's time to start building the habitats for your animals. You already know how big the area of each habitat has to be, but it is up to you to decide the shape of the habitat and the length of each of its sides.
Use scrap paper to figure out your calculations and design the shape of the habitat. When you are happy with it, you will draw each of your habitats out on a large piece of poster board. Be sure to include all your measurements and calculations, as well as the information you found out about each animal's habitat! Use crayons and markers to illustrate each habitat, and don't forget to label each animal.
The whole class will use the same scale to put their habitats on paper. The scale is 1 inch = 1 meter.
5) When everyone has finished creating their habitats, we will put them up on the wall and see our completed class zoo!
Evaluation
You will be evaluated on the poster you create that shows the habitats of your group's animals at the zoo. Points will NOT be deducted if your habitat does not exactly match the animal's exhibit at the zoo. Your poster should show your animal in an exhibit that is similar to the habitat in which that animal would be found in nature, and that exhibit must have the exact area specified in the worksheet. There should be a small box in the corner of your poster that gives the measurements of the area and perimeter of the exhibit. Last, but not least, use your imaginations and be creative!
| # | Did Not Follow Directions | Somewhat Followed Directions | Mostly Followed Directions | Exemplary Work | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate Habitat for Animal | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ?/3 |
| Exhibit is the Right Size | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ?/3 |
| Illustrations of Animal and Habitat are Labeled, Detailed and Colorful | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ?/3 |
| Area and Perimeter are Correctly Calculated and On the Poster | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ?/3 |
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Total Score: ?/12 |
Conclusion
The class zoo is almost done! When all the groups have finished, we will have designed a full zoo with plenty of room for all the animals and their habitats.
Area and perimeter are not just for zoos; we use them a lot in our daily lives. What are some other times you might need to measure area and perimeter? Think about other situations when you need to measure a certain amount of space. Brainstorm with your group and write down three ideas to turn in.
Credits
The majority of the information used was from Amy Wiktor from Zunal.com
Modifications were made to transition from a recent novel study.
Teacher Page
This webquest applies area and perimeter to the real life situation of designing enclosures for animals at the zoo. It should conclude with a trip to the zoo. Below you will find a worksheet to use in conjunction with the field trip, to apply the mathematical principles students have been working on. Feel free to edit both this worksheet and/or provide your own list of animals and area they should be allotted based on the animals students are likely to encounter in your local zoo.
Standards
This webquest was designed for use in a third grade classroom, though some standards apply to fourth grade as well. The Common Core Standards this webquest addresses are:
�CCSS.Math.Content.3.MD.C.7 Relate area to the operations of multiplication and addition.
◦CCSS.Math.Content.3.MD.C.7a Find the area of a rectangle with whole-number side lengths by tiling it, and show that the area is the same as would be found by multiplying the side lengths.
◦CCSS.Math.Content.3.MD.C.7b Multiply side lengths to find areas of rectangles with whole-number side lengths in the context of solving real world and mathematical problems, and represent whole-number products as rectangular areas in mathematical reasoning.
4th Grade
CCSS.Math.Content.4.MD.A.3 Apply the area and perimeter formulas for rectangles in real world and mathematical problems. For example, find the width of a rectangular room given the area of the flooring and the length, by viewing the area formula as a multiplication equation with an unknown factor.
Credits
This webquest was created with Allie Parker and Amy Steves. Modifications made by Janette Geasley