Description: This project is a great way to introduce your students to researching facts on their own, using a very interesting topic. Our theme for this semester is animals. Each class will study a different type of animal, with the hope of turning our school into a "Zoo!" The first step is to find information, then visually show student's knowledge by turning our room into a habitat for reptiles. The students do most of the work, and the teacher is there for guidance, support, and to keep sanity in the classroom!
PROJECT SHEET - TO BE HANDED OUT TO THE STUDENTS (You set the time limits)
This a the fourth quarter project. We will be using your research and activities to turn our room into a "Habitat For Reptiles." All of your research will be put into a notebook, that we will make in class together.
1. Use a dictionary to look up the word reptile.
2. Use an encyclopedia to look up information about reptiles. This can be an encyclopedia in our classroom, the library, or on a computer. Answer the following questions:
A. Make a list of the different types of reptiles that exist today.
B. Make a list of the different types of reptiles that are extinct.
C. Make a list of characteristics of the most common reptiles.
D. Write down the name of the encyclopedia, and the year it was published.
3. Find another source of information about reptiles. Answer the following questions.
A. Tell briefly what the book is about.
B. Describe the pictures in the book, if there are any.
C. Write the name of the book, the author, the year it was published, and how many
pages the book has.
4. Choose three reptiles to find more information about. One reptile should be extinct,
one must live somewhere in the United States today, and the third may be your choice.
A. The name of the reptile.
B. Where does, or where did the reptile live?
C. What does the reptile look like?
D. What does the reptile eat?
E. How big does the reptile get?
F. Any other interesting facts that you find.
5. For each of the reptiles chosen above, do one of the following activities. You may do each
activity only once!
A. Write a report, at least one page long. The rough draft should be turned into me
for checking. Then it should be written in cursive with pen, or typed.
B. Make a model of a reptile. You may use cardboard or posterboard. The
reptile should be life-size, if possible!
C. Make a 3-D model of the reptile's home. This can be made with a shoe box, or other small box.
D. Make a poster about a reptile. The poster should have lots of color and as many details as possible.
E. Make a book about a reptile. Your book should include illustrations, as well as
information about the reptile.
F. If you have another idea for a project, please write me a note about your idea.
TO MAKE THE HABITAT
Use the projects that the students, and turn your classroom into a habitat for reptiles. Depending on your time frame, you can add plants, live or artificial, and add the displays that the students have made. This is a great way to end the year with an Open House for parents. If other classroom do the same with other types of animals, you can make your own "School Zoo!"
