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| Lessons > Animal Research Project | |
| Topic | Animals, Birds, Fish, Insects |
| Grade(s): | 6-8 |
| Written by | Jaclyn Burczyk |
| Created: | 05/06/08 |
| Updated: | 05/06/08 |
| Skill Sets: | Oral Presentation | Writing | Outlining | Information Literacy | Note taking |
| Format: | Project |
| Time Required: | 3 weeks |
| Description, Learning Objective: | Students will research a specific animal using the internet, take notes in Inspiration, create a graphic organizer in Inspiration, write a research paper and finally present findings using Power Point. |
| Procedure: | This lesson should be used throughout an animal unit. Feel free to modify this lesson to meet your needs. 1. Introduce the unit. Discuss animal classifications. 2. Assign each student a different animal. This is done so that students can learn from one another during the Power Point presentations at the end of the unit. 3. Explain that each student will research a specific animal. Set parameters and provide students with a few guide questions to keep their research focused. Here are some example inquire questions:
Each one of these questions should be researched and answered. 4. Show students appropriate search engines. Stress the importance of using valid websites for information. Encourage students to document all sources they use throughout this project. 5. Introduce Inspiration to students. Discuss taking notes in the outline format. All research done on the internet should be typed in Inspiration. 6. Once they have typed all their notes in Inspiration and have completed the graphic organizers students are ready to start writing their formal research papers. Encourage students to use Inspiration as a guide for developing their papers. 7. Papers should be typed in Microsoft Word. Set expectations for example, number of pages, spacing, works cited page, etc. 8. As students finish their papers, have them start Power Point presentations. Set expectations. Each slide should answer one of their inquire questions researched throughout the unit. 9. Give students a copy of the rubric you will be grading them on. This will prepare students for giving their presentations. This develops their public speaking skills. 10. Each student should present to their classmates. Explain to the audience that they need to take notes and learn from the presenter. 11. Grade each student during the presentation. 12. After the presentation, encourage students to ask questions. 13. Recap unit and privately discuss final grade with each student so they know what they can do to improve for next time.
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| Software required: | Inspiration, Microsoft Office, and the internet. |