Unit Plan: Zoo Creation
Focus Target: SC.02.07.02.01 Classifies organisms based on characteristics (CMCS 3.8a) (CAS 1.2.2; K.2.1)
Level 3 Targets:
LI.03.02.03.01 Recalls facts from a nonfiction text that expands on the main idea of the text (CAS 1. 2.1.b) (CMCS 3.1.c 5.1.c 7.1.c 8.1.c)
LI.03.06.01.01 Using intentional plans (e.g., one-, two-, or three-part picture, labeled pictures, lists) that guide the writing (CAS 1.3.1.c) (CMCS 3.2.b)
LI.03.07.03.01 Providing supporting information that is relevant, accurate and helpful (i.e., details are all connected) (CAS '3.3.2.e') (CMCS 3.2.b)
LI.03.09.04.01 Capitalizing all proper nouns and the pronoun I (CAS 3.3.3.h, 1.3.2.b) (CMCS 3.d1)
LI.03.09.07.02 Using appropriate end punctuation (i.e., period, question mark, and exclamation point) (CAS 4.3.3.a, 2.3.3.a) (CMCS 3.d2 9.3.d)
LI.03.09.08.01 Correctly spelling level appropriate high frequency words. (CAS 1.3.2.d) (CMCS 3.3.e)
LI.03.11.04.01 Using audible voice (CAS PK.1.2.a) (CMCS )
Level 4 Targets:
LI.04.03.03.01 Identifies text as fiction or nonfiction and explains why (CAS K.2.1.c) (CMCS 3.1.a)
LI.04.05.01.01 Uses reference texts to locate information (e.g., dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedia, atlas) (CAS 4.4.1.d) (CMCS 5.5 6.5.f)
LI.04.06.04.01 Putting together related details on a topic with a logical form of organization (e.g., narrative=beginning, middle, end, expository=main idea, supporting details) (CAS 1.3.1.b, 1.3.1.d) (CMCS 3.2.b 5.2.a 6.2.a 7.2.c)
LI.04.07.07.01 Effectively addressing purposes as stated in a given prompt (CAS 2.3.2.e) (CMCS 4.2.a)
LI.04.09.10.01 Indenting a paragraph (CAS 3.3.3.b) (CMCS 3)
LI.04.10.01.01 Using complete sentences (CAS K.3.2.b, K.2.2.a) (CMCS 3.3.c 4.3.c 6.3.c 7.3.c 8.3.c 9.3.c 10.3.c)
LI.04.11.03.01 Asking and answering questions, making relevant contributions and offering suggestions (e.g., when devising ways of sorting items in the classroom) (CAS 1.1.3.c, K.1.3.a-b) (CMCS )
Level 5 Targets:
LI.05.02.05.01 Distinguishes between fact and opinion (CAS 5.2.2.g) (CMCS 4.4.c 8.4.c)
LI.05.05.01.02 Searches for information in pictures and captions (CAS 1.4.1.c) (CMCS 4.5.c 6.5.a 8.5.a 10.5.a)
LI.05.06.01.01 Using a variety of plans to match a variety of writing tasks (e.g., lists, webs, timelines) (CAS 5.3.2.a,5.3.1.c, 4.3.1.e, 4.3.2.h) (CMCS 4.2.d)
LI.05.07.05.01 Beginning with a purposeful and engaging lead (CAS 4.3.1.a-c) (CMCS 4.2.d 7.2.c)
LI.05.11.05.01 Using the components of effective oral communication in groups or individually (e.g., given a set of criteria or a group role/responsibility) (CAS 3.1.1.b) (CMCS 2.1)
Hook/Relevancy: Why is this important to us?
- Identify species-Roommate, bird scientist, find new birds in the USA all the time.
- Easier to discuss animals with common characteristics
- Understand the diversity of life
Skills they need to know:
What is classification?
What are characteristics?
Learners will have an understanding of habitat, physical description and interesting facts.
Communication skills-Audible voice, how to work in a group, and have effective communication.
Learning Activities:
- Unpack the standard-what does it mean to classify organisms? Write in kid-friendly terms.
- Define characteristics.
- Describe characteristics of self.
- Describe characteristics of a friend.
- What is classification? Shoe Classification Game. Have students sit in a circle and take one shoe off an put in the center of the circle. The teacher makes two groups of shoes based on a certain characteristic (say shoe laces). The kids have to figure out how the shoes were grouped. Begin to classify by tougher characteristics and then give the kids a shot.
- Computer game to enforce characteristics of animals.
- Tree Map Creation-Types of Animals Classification-Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, Fish
- Put the animal your researching under the Animal Classification Tree Map
- Culminating Activity-Create a zoo with the class that includes all the animals you have researched.
Characteristics of Animals:
Assessments:
Skills:
1. Define characteristics and classification.
2. Paragraph explaining characteristics of yourself.
3. A picture with characteristics that describe a friend.
4. Tree Map with Animal classification
5. Essay of animal findings-Prompt for Essay-Writing a three paragraph essay describing characteristics of animals including their habitat, physical characteristics and some interesting facts.
6. Zoo Creation with Roles
Layout of zoo-Where each type of animal will be
Facts about the zoo and why they are beneficial to community members
Criteria for zoo employees
Suggestions of what zoo should look like and have in it
Culminating Activity: Higher Level Learning: Decision Making and Problem Solving
The zoo in your community is 5 hours away and the kids in your area are sad they never get to learn about animals by seeing them. Your rich uncle has given your class a piece of land and said you could build a zoo if the community members think it’s a good idea. Each of you will have a role in convincing the community to agree to build a zoo and will design the zoo.
Level 3 students will make a speech to convince the community to spend money on building a zoo. They will have to pay taxes to make the zoo happened. You will have to present your reasons why a zoo should be built to the class using an audible voice.
Level 4students will have two big jobs. You will play as community members. Your job is to ask questions about the zoo when level 3 students are trying to convince you to spend tax dollars to open the zoo. You need to make suggestion and ideas of how you want the zoo to look, what animals are in it, and suggest solutions to the problems around creating the zoo. Your job will be to find evidence of how zoo can benefit communities and assure that information is shared at the meeting.
Level 5 students will be the managers of the zoo. They will have to take what they learned at the community meeting and design the zoo. They will make a list of facts and opinions that were generated at the community meeting. They will also assign jobs to each class member telling them specific criteria they need to meet to get the job at the zoo.