Animal and Plant Adaptations Project

Introduction

We have been learning all about how different animals adapt to their environment using their physical features. We learned about why animals need these adaptations, because without them, animals cannot live or may have more trouble living in their environment (give an example, such as when the peppered moth could no longer camouflage with its environment and therefore were not able to survive as well as when they could camouflage). We learned how different animals adapt to be able to answer our essential question: If our environment changes, can lifeforms become extinct?

Task

We have been learning all about animals adapt to their environment in order to survive. Now, you will get to research about an animal or plant you choose and teach the class about how they adapt to survive in their environment.

      Using this web quest, you will:

  • Research an animal or plant and how it adapts to it's environment
  • Create a flip book using your information
  • Make a presentation on Prezi to share your information with your classmates :)

Process

Here are the steps to help you complete your project:

STEP 1: Researching and gathering information

You will use books and the internet to research your animal or plant. I have given you a sheet to help you organize your information.

Here are some websites to help you research:

http://kids.sandiegozoo.org/
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/
http://www.nwf.org/kids/ranger-rick/animals.aspx
http://pbskids.org/wildkratts/creaturepedia/
http://www.animalfactguide.com/animal-facts/
http://www.softschools.com/facts/animals/
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/animals.html
http://www.kidsplanet.org/factsheets/map.html
http://kids.britannica.com/elementary/
http://www.mbgnet.net/bioplants/adapt.html

You may also search the internet using either Kiddle or Google Junior so that you are searching safely on the internet.
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STEP 2: Typing your information

Using the information you have collected, open a Microsoft Word document and start typing each paragraph of your flip book. If you were given an organization sheet for your writing, make sure you answer all the questions for each paragraph. If you did not, make sure you organize the information you gathered into paragraphs that make sense!

Make sure you save your work as you type!!
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STEP 3: Making your flip book

When you have finished writing your paragraphs, you will make your own flip book online using the website:
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/flipbook/

Each paragraph you wrote will be one page of your flip book. First, type in the titles of your pages (the title of each paragraph). Then, click "next", and paste in each paragraph on each page.

When you have finished your flip book, call your teacher to print it for you.

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STEP 4: Creating your Prezi presentation

Now, you will use all of your writing to create your Prezi presentation.
Your teacher will explain how to log in to Prezi in class, and show you how to create your presentation.

  1. Once you log in, click "Create Prezi".
  2. Choose a template. You can click the word "more" under "Choose your template" for more designs. Once you have picked a template, click "Use Template".
  3. Once your Prezi template opens, click to add your title.
  4. In each circle on your presentation, paste in the paragraphs you wrote.

Evaluation

This is the rubric that will be used to grade your writing. Make sure you use this rubric to help guide you to the score you want! :)
Evaluation Rubric
  1 2 3 4 Score
Language Conventions I spelled most of the words in my writing incorrectly. I did not use the correct punctuation and grammar in my writing. Some of the words in my writing are spelled correctly.There are some mistakes in how I used punctuation and grammar. Most words in my writing are spelled correctly. Most of my use of punctuation and grammar is correct. I spelled all the words in my writing correctly. My use of punctuation and grammar is correct in all of my writing.
Accuracy of Information I answered none the questions from the task accurately using research. I did not use text-based evidence to add more information to my writing. I answered some the questions from the task accurately using research. I used only a little text-based evidence to add more information to my writing. I answered most of the questions from the task accurately using research. I used some text-based evidence to add more information to my writing. I answered all the questions from the task accurately using research. I used text-based evidence to add more information to my writing.
Organization My writing was not organized at all. My writing did not have a topic sentence, and information was not grouped together in a way that makes sense. My writing was somewhat organized. I tried to group details in a way that made sense, but it is hard to tell why paragraphs are grouped together. Most of my paragraphs do not have a topic sentence. My writing is mostly organized. Most of my paragraphs have a topic sentence, and details in my writing are grouped in a way that makes sense. My writing is completely organized. All my paragraphs have a topic sentence and the details in my paragraphs relate to my topic sentence and are grouped in a way that make sense.
Sentence Fluency I have no "juicy" sentences in my writing. My writing is choppy, and are all the same length. I copied my sentences right from where I got them from. Some of my writing includes "juicy" sentences. Some of my writing has sentences that are different lengths. Most of my writing includes "juicy" sentences. My sentences are mostly has different lengths. I included few transition words so my writing does not sound choppy. There are "juicy" sentences throughout all of my writing. I included different sentence lengths throughout my writing. My writing includes lots of transition words throughout my writing so it does not sound choppy.
Total Score:

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have reached the end of the project! I hope that you have learned how your plant or animal adapts to their environment, and why their adaptations are important for their survival. Also, I hope you have learned why your animal or plant is important to their environment.

Great Work!! :)