Let's go to the zoo!

Introduction

Throughout this journey, each one of you will explore an animal of your choosing. Up until now, we have looked at mammals, amphibians, insects, reptiles, birds and fish. You are to choose one animal, and through your discovery you will learn about its appearance and distinct characteristics, as well as its natural habitat. Let's roarrrrrrrr!

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Task

Follow these steps to get you started on your journey:

1. Choose one animal among the 6 animal groups that you would like to learn more about. You will research your animal's physical appearance and discover any distinct charateristics. You will also explore and learn about its natural habitat.

2. Using the links provided and your handout (graphic organizer), you will research these topics and take notes.

3. Using your research, you will create a 3-D model of your animal and its habitat. Take a look at some of the pictures of past projects to help you with any ideas for materials to use!

4. To make your model, you will use art supplies and any materials of your choice e.g., plastecine, paint, construction paper, glue, etc. You are also welcome to collect supplies from home that you think will help e.g., cardboard, toilet paper rolls, sticks, grass, etc.

5. Upon completion of our projects, we will host a "Zoo" (Museum) Walk for the other grade 2 classes to visit.

Process
Evaluation

CATEGORY

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Idea

Independently   identified an animal which was interesting to the student and which could be   investigated.

Identified, with adult help, an animal which was interesting to the student and which could be investigated.

Identified, with adult some help, an animal which could be investigated.

Identified an animal that could not be investigated or one that did not merit   investigation.

Information Collection

Information was collected several times. It was summarized, independently, in a way that clearly describes what was discovered.

Information was collected more than one time. It was summarized, independently, in a way that clearly describes what was discovered.

Information was collected more than one time. Some adult assistance was needed to clearly summarize what was discovered.

Information was collected only once and adult assistance was needed to clearly summarize what was discovered.

Display of Animal

Clear representation of animal's true physical appearance and all distinct characteristics precisely identified.

 

Clear representation of animal's true physical appearance and most distinct   characteristics identified.

 

Some representation of animal's true physical appearance and a couple distinct characteristics identified.

 

Student requires assistance to represent animal's true physical appearance and   identify any distinct characteristics.

Display of Habitat

Each element in the model successfully contributes to his/her animal's environment. Student shows a thorough understanding of its natural habitat.

Each element in the model effectively contributes to his/her animal's environment. Student shows a considerable understanding of its natural habitat.

Some elements in the model contribute to his/her animal's environment. Student   shows a partial understanding of its natural habitat.

Student requires assistance to create elements in the model to contribute to his/her  animal's environment. Student shows a limited understanding of its natural habitat.
Conclusion

Now that you have all finished creating your models, let's invite our other grade 2 classes to take a walk through our man-made zoo! Get ready to screeeeeech!!

We will most definitely capture student's attention with such interesting models, so be prepared... Think of one interesting fact about your animal that you would like to share with any visitors. Be sure to also keep your research notes (handout) nearby in case you are asked any questions that you may forget the answer to. Most importantly, have fun engaging others in the creations you have worked so hard at making!

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Credits

1 "Tiger." Flickr. Yahoo!, 11 Nov. 2011. Web. 25 Mar. 2014. <https://www.flickr.com/photos/29468339%40N02/5560301567/in/photolist-9t…;.

2 "All Animals." National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2014. <http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/animals/creaturefeature/&gt;.

3 "Fun Animal Facts for Kids - Crazy, Cool, Funny, Amazing, Interesting." Fun Animal Facts for Kids - Crazy, Cool, Funny, Amazing, Interesting. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2014. <http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/animals.html&gt;.

4 "Animal Facts." Animal Fact Sheets. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2014. <http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/kids/animal-facts/animals.asp&gt;.

5 "Kids' Planet ESPECIES Animal Fact Sheets." Kids' Planet ESPECIES Animal Fact Sheets. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2014. <http://www.kidsplanet.org/factsheets/map.html&gt;.

6 "Monkey Surprise." Flickr. Yahoo!, 21 Jan. 2012. Web. 25 Mar. 2014. <https://www.flickr.com/photos/29468339%40N02/5888927678/in/photolist-9Y…;.