Introduction
Oh No! There has been a break in at the Florida Zoo! Someone has broken in and opened all the animals' cages! I need you to classify the animals into the right categories so that we can get them back into the correct areas before the zoo opens tomorrow morning! This is a huge task for you and if you don't complete it, there will be a be a lot of sad adults and children who will not be able to see the amazing animals at the Florida Zoo! I hope you are up for the challenge. We are counting on you!
Task
You will work as a team of 4 to get all of the animals back to their right areas.
1. Bird Expert
The bird expert will research what characteristics are unique to birds. What makes a bird a bird? What is a bird?
2. Reptile Expert
The reptile expert will research what characteristics are unique to reptiles. What makes a reptile a reptile? What is a reptile?
3. Fish Expert
The fish expert will research what characteristics are unique to fish. What makes a fish a fish? What is a fish?
4. Mammals Expert
The mammal expert will research what characteristics are unique to mammals. What makes a mammal a mammal? What is a mammal?
After each expert has completed the required research, he/she will will then make a guide with pictures of examples of each catergory and the information that was gathered during the research. This guide will be a tool to help classify the animals.
Process
1. Now it's time to decide who will take on the role of each expert. Decide who will research each topic and then research and gather data. This data will ve very important for making your guides so make sure you have very specific information. Even though you each have an individual assignment, remember you are working together as a team. If your teammate needs a little help, make sure you help them out. Remember to have examples!
2. Once you have completed your research, share your information with your team! See if any information needs to be added or if some needs to be left out. Then begin making your guides. Here are a few links to help you with research:
http://kids.sandiegozoo.org/animals/reptiles
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/classification/kc_classification_fish.htm
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/animals/fish.html
3. Once you have completed your classifying guide, you will then move over to the animal station. There will be a bunch of 3 x 5 note cards on the table. They contain descriptions to specific animals on them, but their names aren't listed. On the back side of the card is a number. After you read the descriptions of the animals, take the card if you think it belongs to your group of animals.
4. When you have all of the cards that you think belong to you go back to your seat and write all of the numbers down in your journal. Next to each number, write which animal you think belongs to that set of characteristics. If there is a disagreement between students and you both feel that one card belongs to you, you both can write the number down in your journal.
5. Discuss which animals you think belong in each category with your teammates.
Finally, get ready to present your guides and which animals (numbers) belong to each category!
Evaluation
Your team will be graded using the following rubric:
After the completion of the entire project you will be asked to grade yourselves individually and as a group.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You helped us get all of the animals back to the right parts of the zoo! We will now be able to open tomorrow morning. All of the parents and children will be so excited to see all of the animals. We couldn't have done it without your amazing classifying skills. If you would like to further improve your classifying skills, here's a chance for a little extra credit! We are looking for a safari guide for our Rainforest Tours. Research 1 animal in each category that you would find in the Rainforest. Give 3 details about each animal and explain why it fits into each category.
Are you up for a Rainforest Safari?
Credits
This lesson is for 3rd Grade students.
The standard is SC.3.L.15.1 : Classify animals into major groups (mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, arthropods, vertebrates, invertebrates, those having live births and which lay eggs) according to their physical characteristics and behaviors.
Web Resources:
Akhondi, M., Malayeri, F., Samad, A. (2011) How to Teach Expository Text Structure to Facilitate Reading Comprehension. Retrieved from: http://www.readingrockets.org/article/52251
http://teacherweb.com/NY/MassapequaHighSchool-AmesCampus/YouAreWhatYouEat/index.html
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/animals/fish.html
http://www.cpalms.org/Public/PreviewStandard/Preview/1659
http://kids.sandiegozoo.org/animals/reptiles
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/classification/kc_classification_fish.htm