Go
Classification Crazy!
Created for the 3rd Grades
Click
to See the Winning PowerPoint Presentation
Introduction:
Everyday you classify. Think about it. Sorting objects
and putting them into specific places is classification! It's a way of
organizing our world. Do you have a sock drawer in your dresser? How about
a cabinet in your kitchen for storing cups and saucers? Do you collect
baseball cards or stamps? If you do you have to organize them in some kind
of order. That's classifying.
Animals too are classified in a variety of ways. This
helps scientists to study the relationships in animal groups and to see
the whole animal family tree as it has developed through time. Animals
are found everywhere. We give names to each kind and we divide them into
groups. Animals that have backbones are called vertebrates. We divide these
animals into five groups: amphibians, birds, fish, mammals, and reptiles.
Have you ever asked "What makes a bird a bird, or a reptile a reptile?
You will begin learning about classification by practicing
classifying objects in your classroom. You will practice classifying objects
according to physical structure and characteristics. Follow the procedure
on this task sheet in your
classroom. Your classroom teacher will guide you in the process. Once you
finish this task you will now be ready to begin your journey on learning
about Animal Classification. Follow the new task and
project below.
Task:
You and your partner will create a Power point presentation
on a species from the animal kingdom. You will present this multimedia
slide show to your entire class. You and your classmates will vote on who
you think has done the best presentation. The winner from each 3rd grade
class will have their presentation put up on the Dows Lane homepage.
Process:
1. Your classroom teacher will assign you a partner to
work with. In addition, your teacher will also assign you a species from
the animal kingdom to explore.
2. Before you begin your task on getting information
about your species you can take this short little animal
classification quiz to see how much you know already about the animal
kingdom. Good Luck!
3. Now you are ready to begin. Your first step is to
make sure you know what is expected of you. Make sure you have a copy of
the following items in your folder:
4. You will be given 3 weeks to complete the Animal data
form. Please work cooperatively with your partner. You will share the responsibilities
of being a 'technician' and a 'recorder'. Take notes carefully, completely
and accurately!
5. Use the Classification Resources below to find the
needed information for your 'animal
data form'. Use the extra time that you have to explore the other links.
Look at the videos, listen to different animal sounds, see some fascinating
pictures and have some fun in the 'fun and games' section.
6.When you are done filling out the 'animal data form'
we will be ready to begin putting the information, that you have gotten,
into a multimedia presentation. The program that you will use and learn
is called Powerpoint.
7. Your requirements for the Powerpoint presentation
are on the template form.
Follow those guidelines.
8. You will be given 5 weeks to complete this part of
the project.
9. Your next step will be to present your project to
your classroom teacher and classmates.
10. The winning presentation will go up on the Dows Lane
homepage for many others to see.
Conclusion:
You and your classmates will get the opportunity to watch
the Powerpoint presentations that have been created by your entire class.
While watching your fellow classmates presentation, you will be asked to
fill out the 'Summary Form'.
It will be kept in your folder until everyone has presented their project.
Please write neatly and fill out the heading too.
Your last step to this project is to see how much you
have learned about classifying and animals from all the groups listed above.
You will also be asked to fill out this 'Conclusion
Form'. This should be handed back to your classroom teacher for evaluation.
Evaluation:
Your next job is to take a
look at the following 'Go
Classification Crazy" Rubric and evaluate how well you think you did
on this project. The rubric can be done with your partner and when
you are done please give back to your teacher.
Copyright © 2000
by Elizabeth
Carle & Mr.
Cullen
All Rights Reserved.
