Are you a Social Animal?

Introduction

You and your group members are now an animal that travels as a group. 

One day, the group had an argument and one of your imaginary group members says that they could totally survive if they to left the group, but honestly, you don't know if it’s true!

It will be your job to present information about how it could be beneficial to be in the group AND be on your own and then the class will have a say because they will act as the rest of the group members. 

Task

If you are going to come up with a good argument, each group member needs to have a specific role for the argument. It's really important to have a strong argument that you really research the information that is given. 

Chef

Defender

Environmentalist

Counselor

As the Chef of the group, you are responsible to present the information about how living in a group impacts what the group eats and researching how the pack works together to obtain the food versus what it would be like to hunt or obtain food on your own. You will present the information to the group to share the information and then to the whole-class using an argument style.

As the Defender of the group, you are responsible for presenting the information about how the group works together to obtain a safe environment versus what it would be like to defend yourself. You will present the information to the group to share the information and then to the whole-class in an argument style.

As the Environmentalist of the group, you will be responsible of presenting the information about how living in a pack together impacts where the group lives versus what it would be like to pick your own habitat. You will present the information to the group to share the information and then to the whole-class in an argument style.

As Counselor of the group, it is your responsibility to present the information on what it would be like to cope with changes (habitat, diet, etc.) with the group versus what it would be like to go through these changes alone. You will present the information to the group to the share the information and then to the whole-class in an argument style.

After you present the information to the group, you will collaboratively work on a Powerpoint that will help you to present the information to the whole-class who will act like the other members in your group and will help to decide which they would rather do. 

Process

1. Get together with your group members-- Miss H will choose the members. 

2. Choose an animal that lives in a pack AND the group roles-- Miss H will come by with the Magic Hat and you will choose individually. (Miss H will help you!)

3. Begin research about the information on your animal that is outlined on the Research Sheet: 

  • To get the Research Sheet based off of the role that you play in your group, go to your Google Docs Account.
  • Resources will also be provided in class, but you can USE THIS WEBSITE ONLY: http://www.britannica.com/

4. Share this information you have found with your group.

5. Create a Powerpoint together as a group using Google Docs based on the R3's = Rubric, Research, and Role that you are given:

  • DO NOT FORGET TO WRITE THE RESOURCES THAT YOU USED.
  • Remember that you are working on this together, so please work together to perfect the Powerpoint presentation on the animal that you will be studying. SEE RUBRIC. 

6. Share Powerpoint with the class:

  • We will argue the information in class together. 
Evaluation

Miss H will share on Google Docs/ hand out: 

- Research Sheet (specific for role)

- Powerpoint Specifics

- Rubric

Conclusion

Thank you for taking the time to try and get your friend to come back to the group. 

Even if he decides that he wants to leave, at least you will know what to say just in case someone else tries to leave! 

Good job, Friends!

This assignment was made to teach you more about:

  • Next Generation Science Standards and how being apart of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes
  • How to create a Powerpoint and work together on it to share responsibility on Google Docs,
  • How to create, present, and argue an argument (working more on this next year!)
  • How to use resources in the classroom or online and how to site these. 

I hope you had fun! 

Credits

Resources Used: 

-- Rubistar

Teacher Page

Miss H's 6th grade class: LS2D Social Interactions and Group Behavior (3-5): Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes. 

Interdisciplinary Lesson: 

  • How to create and present a valid argument (Language Arts) 
  • How to create a Powerpoint (Tecnology) 
  • How to research using resources given in the classroom (books, computers, etc.) (Language Arts) 
  • Google Docs (entire school system)