Step 1 Engage- (Day 1-20 Min)
Title: Animal Intrigue
Initiate student interest in animals. Expose students to some of the interesting traits in the Animal kingdom.
1. Students will watch live animal Cam from Monterey Bay Aquarium or Smithsonian National Zoological Park. Students will list any behaviors or characteristics they observe.
2. Students will write down unusual traits seen in the top 10 ugliest animals.
3. As a class create a KWL chart for the animal kingdom.
Step 2 Explore (Day 1- 25 Min)
Title: Animal Exploration
Allow students time to explore the unique characteristics of various animal groups. This time will also be used to activate any prior knowledge about animals.
1. Divide students into groups of three and allow them to play "Go Fish" with animal Classification Flashcards.
How to use cards:
Print off two copies of each set of cards and paste them on a poster board. Next, cut out the cards and you are ready to play.
One game that can be played is Go Fish: Deal 5 cards to each person in your group. Students take turns asking each other for cards. However, unlike the original game of Fish, students will have to ask two questions.
Student A: Do you have a mollusk?
Student B: Yes, I do.
Student A: Is it an Octopus?
Student B: No, it isn't. Go fish.
2. Allow students to sort collections of plastic animals according to similar characteristics. These can be characteristics that students can see or from their prior knowledge about animals. Use as many different collections of animals as possible. ( Farm animals, Jungle animals, marine animals)
3. Students will create a graphic organizer illustrating five major characteristics of all animals. (Symmetry, skeletal, reproduction, fertilization, body coverings and locomotion)
Step 3 Explain - (Day 1-45 Min)
Title: Animal Explanation
Students will be presented with important information and concepts dealing with animal characteristics.
1. Present students with PowerPoint on animal classification characteristics.
2. Guide students through Excel sheet of major animal taxa and characteristics. In groups students will complete worksheet of major groups.
3. Students will prepare a six tab foldable on the six animal characteristics explored in the lesson.
4. Assign collaborative groups and give research directions.
1. Groups will then research how this characteristic is exhibited in animals, as well as, how the characteristic benefits a particular animal in it's life.
2. Student will use digital cameras to take pictures of native local animals that exhibit this trait. Some pictures from the Internet may have to be used if no local animals are present.
Step 4 Collaboration- (Day 2-30 Min)
Title: Animal Research
Students will work in groups of three to assemble research, plan presentation and choose pictures of animal traits and animal representatives.
1. Cooperative groups will develop an overall plan for their Podcast.
2. Students will combine their individual research and decide what information is most important to include about their animal trait.
3. Students will combine their pictures and decide which ones will be used in their project.
Step 5 Project- (Day 2 - 60 Min)
Title: Animal Podcast
Students will collaborate to create a Podcast to present their particular animal trait.
1. Students will select pictures that will be used in the Podcast.
2. Students will develop a narrative of their Podcast describing the trait and animal representatives that they choose.
3. Students will combine all information together and create the Podcast.
4. Students will present their Podcast at the beginning of the next class period.