This lesson is for : Grade 1:
Summary
After learning about animals and their basic needs, body coverings, habitats, and other characteristics, the students are given a challenge to come up with a possible new animal for Maymont Park. The students were told that Maymont was looking for a new animal to add to the park and they have asked for first graders to help them in deciding what might be a good fit for the park. First the students brainstormed a list of questions they would have for the Maymont experts. Then, the first graders Skyped with the Director of the Nature Center at Maymont where they were able to ask all of their questions that they needed to know in order to decide what kind of animal Maymont needed. Next, in small groups, students searched on PebbleGo to find and research animals that could be a possibility for Maymont. Using a chart they were given, each group chose 3 possible animals and had a variety of questions to answer. Finally, the different groups decided on the animal that they thought would be the best fit for Maymont. They needed to be able to defend their choice by giving specific reasons. Then they had the choice to write a letter to Maymont, make a poster on Pixie or with their voices recorded, create a skit, or use Chatterkid to explain what animal Maymont should choose. The final projects were then put into different videos to be sent to Maymont.
TIPC Ratings
Research & Information Fluency
Rating: Approaching – Explanation: The students came up with questions they had one how Maymont decides to choose a new animal. They used PebbleGo for their research to assemble and organize their information to address the task that they were presented.
Communication & Collaboration
Rating: Developing – Explanation: The students worked in teacher selected groups to accomplish the assigned task. They used Skype to communicate with the director of Maymont to ask questions and provide support for their research.
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Rating: Approaching – Explanation: The students generated questions, they had to justify their decision on the specific animal that they thought would be the best fit for Maymont. The students chose how to present their information using Pixie or Chatterkid to solve their authentic problem given to them.
Creativity & Innovation
Rating: Developing – Explanation: The students used tools to creatively present their proposed animal. The students used their previous knowledge of what they had learned about animals, their basic needs, and habitats to help them solve the problem.
Lesson Materials
