Third Grade

Animal Project

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Project Resources:

Brain Pop, Jr. Videos: Habitats Grasslands Video Desert Video Forest Video Rainforest Video Ocean Video Freshwater Video Arctic Video Animal Information Ducksters- Do not choose a dog for your report.

National Geographic Kids- Animals

Part 1 - Writing an Informational Essay ● You Tube Informational Essay Video Lessons

○ Episode 1 - What is it?

○ Episode 2 - Brainstorming and Choosing a Topic

○ Episode 3 - Making a Plan

○ Episode 4 - Writing an Introduction

○ Episode 5 - Writing a Draft

○ Episode 6 - Writing a Closing

● The attached handouts will help you organize and write your Informational Essay.

● Not all pages need to be printed. You may use your ELA copybook, any other paper you have at home.

● Please type the rough draft and final copy, with a clipart image of the animal inserted onto the page in Google Docs and share it with Ms. Gardner. We will be using your page to make a Class Book about Animals that will be published!

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● Use the attached Informational Essay on Sharks written by Mrs. Duffey as a sample.

Part 2 - Diorama ● You will need a space to create your diorama. You don’t have to use a shoe

box. You can set it up on a table, under a table, or the floor. Be sure to share a picture of it to Ms. Gardner.

● You will need to create at least 3 different animals and its surroundings to put in your habitat. Be creative! Please don’t ask Mom or Dad to buy anything!

Part 3 - Tour Guide Video ● Write a script and dress the part of a Wilderness Tour Guide for your habitat.

For example: If you are a tour guide for the Arctic, then you should be dressed in winter clothing while presenting your information.

● See the attached sample script in this handout. ● Here is the link to some past SATG students’ videos:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1i7-NRhuJm1izLSCKZTZ4I1jL6f214qXE

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Part 1 - Informational Essay Sample All sentences that are in bold print are the parts of an Informational Essay-Introduction, 3 Subtopics, and a Conclusion. You may write your informational essay as 1 paragraph. You must have at least 3 details to support each subtopic.

Sharks by Mrs. Duffey

It’s hard to believe but sharks have been around for more than 300 million

years . They were around before the dinosaurs! Scientists have discovered at least 350 different types of sharks. Sharks have the most amazing bodies. Sharks are cold blooded. They live in rivers, lakes, and oceans. Some sharks can be 50 feet long. They have many rows of teeth. They have gills instead of lungs. Sharks are the main predators in the ocean. Sharks’ bodies are built to hunt. They move silently in the water. They eat seals, sea lions, turtles, octopi, dolphins, and lots of fish. They can hear sounds that people can’t and they can feel vibrations or movements of other animals as they move through the ocean. These special skills make them excellent hunters. Sharks need to be saved! Pollution, garbage, and climate are some of the things that are making it difficult for sharks to survive. Many scientists are trying to learn more about each kind of shark so that they may prevent them from dying or getting very sick. Sometimes researchers put a tag on a shark so that they can study the shark more closely in its natural habitat. As you can see, even though sharks are fierce and strong, they still need our protection!

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Brainstorming and Choosing a Topic Circle one habitat that you are interested in learning about:

Grasslands Desert Forest Rainforest

Ocean Freshwater Arctic

Explain why you chose this habitat:________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Make a list of animals that live in the habitat you chose, and then circle the animal you would like to write about. ______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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Making a Plan-Use these questions to guide your plan. Name of Animal:_______________________________ Physical Description Are they a mammal, bird, amphibian, fish, reptile, insect?

What is their body covering? Skin, fur, feathers, shell, scales What is the size of their body, teeth, tail, etc.? What on their body is an adaptation that helps them survive?

Behavior Do they live alone or in groups? Are they a predator or prey?

Do they eat meat (carnivore), plants (herbivore) or both meat and plants (omnivore)? What behaviors are learned and what behaviors are instincts?

Habitat Which habitat/area do they live in? What food is available for them in their habitat? What other animals or plants share their habitat? What type of climate do they live in?

Where do they make their home? Cave, den, nest, tree, etc.

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Making a Plan-continued Graphic Organizer-List at least 3 details for each section. Animal Name____________________________________________ Physical Description

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Behavior

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

________________________________________________

Habitat

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

___________________________________________

__________________________________________

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Part 3 - Sample Video Script Hello! My name is__________________________________. I lead expeditions in the _____________________________________________. Some things that I enjoy doing are_________________________. My favorite animal is___________________________ because _____________________________________________. Some interesting facts you will learn are______________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ _____________________________________________. The most challenging part of this expedition will be_______________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ _____________________________________________. I hope that you will join me and learn about life in the WILD!

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Part 1 - Informational Essay Rubric

Great Good Sufficient Unsatisfactory

Focus

You show a clear understanding of what information was required. You write about one clear topic, and give many details to support your topic.

You show an understanding of what information was required. You write about one clear topic, and include details in most of your writing.

You show a partial understanding of what information was required. You have a topic, but some of the details do not support your topic clearly.

You do not show an understanding of what information was required. A specific topic is unclear and details are not clear.

Content

You use plenty of details to support your topic. You show a clear understanding of the purpose for writing this piece, and you clearly understand the information.

You give the appropriate amount of details to support your topic. You show a good understanding of the purpose for writing this piece, and you understand the information.

You give some details to support your topic. You do not demonstrate a strong understanding of the purpose for writing this piece, and you may not fully understand the information written..

You give very few details to support your topic. You do not demonstrate understanding of the purpose for writing this piece, and you do not show understanding of the information written.

Organization

Your writing is very organized. You use transitions well, and the order of your information makes good sense. This paper is easy to read and understand.

Your writing is organized well. Most of your transitions are used correctly, and the order of your information makes good sense. This paper can be read and understood with very few problems.

Your writing is not very organized. Some of your transitions may be used correctly, but overall, the errors make it difficult to understand.

Your transitions are not present or used correctly. The information is not organized well. This paper is unclear and difficult to understand.

Style

You demonstrate an excellent use of language and sentence structure. You clearly understand how informational pieces are written.

You show good control of language and sentence structure. Your writing has many parts that resemble informational pieces.

Your use of language and sentence structure makes it difficult to understand your writing. You demonstrate some knowledge of how informational pieces are written.

You demonstrate very little control of language and sentence structure, which make it difficult for the reader to understand your writing. You show little understanding of how informational pieces are written.

Conventions

You use a variety of sentence structures. You have very few errors in grammar, usage, spelling and punctuation. The errors that are there do not make the writing unclear.

You use a variety of sentence structures. You have some errors in grammar, usage, spelling and punctuation. A few of these errors may make parts of the writing unclear.

You do not use a variety of sentence structures, and some sentences may be fragments. There are many errors in grammar, usage, spelling and punctuation.

Many sentences are awkward or are fragments. There are many grammar, usage, spelling and punctuation errors. These errors make the paper difficult to read.

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Part 2 - Diorama Rubric

Great Good Sufficient Unsatisfactory

Materials

A variety of materials were used in a creative way.

A variety of materials were used, but only some were creative.

All items are the same material and project lacks creativity.

Items are not complete and project lacks creativity.

Animals

At least 3 animals are present in the habitat.

At least 2 animals are present in the habitat.

At least 1 animal are present in the habitat.

No animals are present in the habitat.

Habitat

Habitat is complete with examples of living and non-living things. Project is a great representation of the habitat.

Habitat is complete with examples of living and non-living things. Project is a good representation of the habitat.

Habitat is complete with examples of living and non-living things. Project is a basic representation of the habitat.

Habitat is not complete with examples of living and non-living things. Project is a poor representation of the habitat.

Part 3 - Tour Guide Video

Great Good Sufficient Unsatisfactory

Script

Your script is complete and creative. You have lots of interesting information. You have a great opening and closing.

Your script is complete and creative. You have some interesting information. You have a great opening and closing.

Your script is complete and creative. You have very little interesting information. You have a opening and closing.

Your script is not complete and does not have any creative elements. No interesting facts were included.

Speaking and Listening

You speak in complete sentences. You use a clear speaking voice and make eye contact with the camera/audience.

You speak in complete sentences with some reminders and support. At times your voice is unclear. Your eye contact with the camera/audience could be better.

You are making progress towards speaking in complete sentences and using a clear speaking voice. You struggle with making eye contact with the camera/audience.

You are struggling with how to speak in complete sentences. You are struggling with using a clear voice and making eye contact with the camera/audience.