Alaskan+Animal+Project+Lesson

**Purpose:** To create an Alaskan Animal Project by using the information we gathered from our Central Park Zoo field trip.

E1c - Read and comprehend informational materials. E2a - Produce a report of information. E3b - Participate in group meetings. E4a - Demonstrate and understanding of the rules of the English language in written and oral work. E4b - Analyze and subsequently revise work to improve its clarity and effectiveness. E5a - Respond to non-fiction using interpretive and critical processes.
 * Standards:**

Seven Step Vocabulary (word of the day - Hypothermia). Seven Step Vocabulary is a way to teach vocabulary to students using the following steps: (1) Say the word aloud, (2) Give a dictionary definition of the word, (3) Give an example of the word used properly in a complete sentence, (4) Give a friendly definition of the word, (5) Repeat the word 3 times as an entire class, (6) Have the students do a brief activity with the word (such as ask students to give an example of how a person could get hypothermia), and (7) Repeat the word as an entire class three times. All of these steps should be written out on chart paper so that we can return to the word as a class at a later time for review. The vocabulary word that is chosen should directly relate to the work that is being done for the day. This activity is extremely helpful for ESL and ELL students.
 * Opening:**

- Introduce and discuss Alaskan Animal Project Guidelines and Grading Rubric - - Show the class a model of the project
 * Mini Lesson:**

Pair Activity - working in the same pais as they did at the Central Park Zoo, students will use the findings they gathered on their particular animal to either create a poem or paragraph that highlights important/ interesting information in a creative way. Modification - for those groups that did not find sufficient information at the Central Park Zoo, they will be given a laptop to research their Alaskan animal further. They will be directed to the following website:[|Click here for more information on Alaskan Creatures]
 * Work Time:**

Gallery Walk - each group will tape their poster to a wall in the classroom and attach a large post-it note to the corner. Each group will rotate around the classroom to view their classmates' posters. As they circulate, they will leave a positive comment on the post-it. Each group will then be given time to return to their own poster, read the comments that were left for them, and finally do a self-analysis by discussing what they could have done to improve upon the project.
 * Closing:**