Animal Habitat Project
Our second grade classes recently completed their project based learning unit on animals and their habitats. We would like to share a little bit about what the project was about.
Essential question: How can we, as biologists, recommend the best habitat for animals at the zoo?
We kicked our unit off with a visit to Irvine Park Zoo. Students received a behind the scenes tour with Zookeeper Jen. Then they formed small groups to research the animals and their habitats at the zoo. The students used iPads to capture videos and images of the animals in their habitats.
Then the students learned how to do research using books and specific websites that our librarian, Mrs. Kramer, showed them. They individually created a detailed report about an animal and their habitat.
Next, they formed groups to put together a "Sales Pitch" for the zookeeper and the Director of the Zoo. The pitch included an animal they wanted to see in the zoo, a description of what they would need in their habitat, and why it would be a good addition to the zoo.
While we were working on our reports, Mrs. Newton, our art teacher, taught the children to make pictures of their animal in a pose of their choice during art class. We then took those pictures and turned them into a calendar. The students sold the calendars to raise money to donate to the zoo. This money was for the zoo to either bring in a new animal or go towards making an animal habitat better.
Finally, we invited the zookeeper and director back to hear our presentations. If you would like to see the presentations you can click the links below. Most students chose to use Touchcast. I think you will find them quite entertaining.
Mr. Anders
Hedgehogs
Cheetahs
Black Panthers
Gorillas
Ms. Duggan
Red Pandas
Geckos
Bobcats
Wolves
Mrs. Karkula
Pufferfish
Clouded Leopard
Fennec Fox
Barracuda
Emperor Penguins
|