Lesson Plan: Science 3-5 Small World

ProQuest Standards-Based Learning Activity It’s a Small World Teacher Procedures

APPROPRIATE FOR: Science, Grades 3-5

TIMELINE: Three class periods

SCIENCE STANDARDS ADDRESSED THROUGH THIS LESSON

National Science Education Standards:

Content Standard A:  Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry;  Understandings about scientific inquiry.

Content Standard C:  Structure and function in living systems  Reproduction and heredity  Regulation and behavior  Populations and ecosystems  Diversity and adaptations of organisms

(source: http://www.educationworld.com/standards/national/science/index.shtml)

LEARNING EXPECTATIONS/OBJECTIVES  Students will use ProQuest SIRS Discoverer or eLibrary Elementary to conduct research.  Students will select a pet and research its needs, whether the pet needs water at a certain temperature and all other aspects of its care and feeding. Students will answer this question: How you will meet those needs and who will care for it?  Students will write a fact-based letter outlining a solid argument for a parent to ensure that they can keep this pet.

MATERIALS  Computer with access to ProQuest eLibrary Elementary or SIRS Discoverer and a printer  Paper  Colored pens or pencils  Miscellaneous art materials as outlined

ACTIVITY PROCESS: DIRECTIONS TO THE TEACHER

Description of Activity Students will choose an animal they think they would like to have for a pet. They will log on to ProQuest to find out what environment they would have to build/create to keep this pet at their home. Students will write, in letter format, a convincing argument to justify why they should be allowed to have this animal for a pet. Students will present their argument to the class. The letter should include a picture of their pet, a description of a healthy environment for their pet, its needs (special foods, etc.) and more.

© ProQuest LLC 2010 – May be copied for educational use only. Page 1 Background Information/Scenario Everyone dreams of having a special pet! Your job is to choose a pet you think you would love to have, do research on what your pet must have to grow and stay healthy. When you have all of the facts you need, you will write an argument to convince your parents why you should be allowed to have this pet.

Outline of Procedures – Day One 1. Read the background of this activity to the class.

2. Review the Scoring Rubric and discuss what the students should be looking for when they conduct their research at ProQuest.

3. Write an example of the kind of notes they should take.

4. Go over Activity 1 with students.

5. Have students individually explore ProQuest to learn more about a favorite animal that is family pet. Pathfinder: Type “Pet” in the Search box and select the appropriate one. Or, type the name of the animal in the Search box directly.

6. Complete Activity 1.

Outline of Procedure – Day 2 7. Students should finish Activity 1 if it isn’t complete. Using the notes they took and Activity 1, students should write a convincing argument to persuade their parents to let them have this pet.

8. Students should sketch pictures of the housing they will provide for their pet and include ideas on how they will support it (i.e., pay for its care!).

Outline of Procedures – Day Three 9. Students should be given 10 minutes to put their work together in a folder or notebook.

10. Student should read their argument to the class.

11. Students should turn in their notebooks.

Conclusion/Finished Work Teachers should display student letters and folders. A class book of arguments would be a great back-to- school idea!

Assessment

Scoring Rubric 4 Score 4 if student correctly identified the needs of their pet, including any nutritional needs, temperature requirements, size of housing unit and any daily care routines. S/he presented a convincing argument on how it will be possible to care for this pet and how they will be responsible for its care. His/her notebook should include complete and accurate notes about the animal of his/her choice as well as a picture of the animal.

3 Score 3 if student correctly identified most of the needs of his/her pet, including any nutritional needs, temperature requirements, size of pen and any daily care routines. His/her argument was complete but left out minor details. Their notebook included accurate notes but is missing

2 Score 2 if student presented incomplete research or incorrect information. His/her argument lacks some of the vital information that would make it convincing (for example, where they will get crickets for a bearded dragon lizard). Their notebook is disorganized or is missing detailed research notes.

1 Score 1 if student left out or did not complete major elements of the project. S/he must have a teacher conference before they complete this project a second time.

Research Students should be evaluated based on these criteria:  Did the student use ProQuest for their research?  Did the student accurately record the information asked for?  Did the student complete Activity 1?  Did the student rewrite the letter in a persuasive manner and include pictures and data mentioned in the rubric?

OPTIONAL EXTENDED ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES Students could build a model of their pet’s house, research how to go into the pet selling business and create a poster describing the business.

Everyone dreams of having a special pet! Your job is to choose a pet you think you would love to have, then do research on what your pet must have to stay healthy. When you have all of the facts you need, you will write an argument to convince your parents/guardians why you should be allowed to have this pet.

DURING THIS ACTIVITY YOU WILL…  Choose a pet! Choose an animal you have always dreamed of having.  Connect to ProQuest and learn everything you can about what your pet needs to stay happy and healthy. Pathfinder: Type “Pet” in the Search box and select the appropriate one. Or, type the name of the animal in the Search box directly.  Be sure to take good notes!  Copy/print pictures (or draw images) of your pet.  Check to see if you have all the information you need to write a good letter, then complete Activity 1.  Write a convincing argument letter to your parents, one that will persuade them to let you have this pet.  Read your letter to the class, sharing your pictures and plans.

DAY ONE 1. Read over all of these instructions.

2. Pick an animal you think you would like to have. You may want to change your animal after you see what it eats. Don’t spend too much time making this decision.

3. Log on to ProQuest SIRS Discoverer or eLibrary Elementary and follow the directions in Activity 1 to get information about your animal.

DAY TWO 4. Finish Activity 1 if you didn’t finish it yesterday.

5. Write a letter to your parents. Add pictures and tell your parents how you will pay for your pet’s food, care for it and any other ideas you can come up with that will convince them to let you have this pet.

7. Be ready to read your letter out loud to the class.

8. Turn your folder in.

ASSESSMENT

You will be evaluated on the following:

Research  Did you use ProQuest to do your research?  Did you print out a picture or draw an image of your animal?

Writing  Did you complete Activity 1?  Did you write a convincing letter?

Scoring Rubric 4 You correctly identified the needs of your pet, including any nutritional needs, temperature requirements, size of pen and any daily care routines. You presented a convincing argument on how it will be possible to care for this pet and how you will be responsible for its care. Your notebook includes complete and accurate notes about the animal of your choice as well as a picture of the animal.

3 You correctly identified most of the needs of your pet, including any nutritional needs, temperature requirements, size of pen and any daily care routines. Your argument was complete but left out some details. Your notebook included accurate notes but is missing an area of research and/or has a misconception about the care of this animal.

2 You presented incomplete research or incorrect information. Your argument lacks some of the vital information that would make it convincing (for example, where you will get crickets for a bearded dragon lizard). Your notebook is disorganized or is missing detailed research notes.

1 You left out or did not complete major elements of the project. You must have a teacher conference before you complete this project a second time.

 Go to ProQuest  Type the name of an animal that you would like to have as a pet and then click Start or Search. Find sources that will tell you about your animal so you can complete the following statements.

I would like to have a (an) ______for a pet. (a type of animal)

This animal comes from ______. (a place)

The climate they are used to is

______. (a description of their favorite climate)

The animal likes to live in ______. (a description of a type of housing unit for your pet, if necessary – i.e., an aquarium for fish)

The animal likes to sleep in ______(a description of a type of sleeping location for your pet, if necessary)

My animal’s favorite foods are:

1. ______

2. ______

3. ______

4. ______

______.

To keep it for a pet, I will have to:

(Think of where you will keep it, where you will get its food, how you will keep it warm or cool, how often it needs bathing, brushing or feeding. Make a list of everything you can think of based on your research.)