Adapting Animals Research Project

Lesson Title: Adapting Animals Research Project Grade Level: Third Content Areas: Science, Language Arts, Writing Materials: iPad access, computer access, student research sheet, QR code scanner app Estimated Timeframe: Timeframe is dependent upon whether or not students have access to iPads or classroom computers. 3 4 working periods (45 minutes each) should be sufficient. This lesson plan is written for a class using iPads with the Face Talker App. For Classrooms with iPads: Use this lesson plan and the Face Talker app. Once the app is downloaded you do not need to create an account and it is very simple to use. For Classrooms with Computers Only: Try Using Blabberize: It is helpful to have students create a Blabber account in the computer lab before beginning the project in the classroom. Students will need their school gmail account to set-up Blabber. Setting up an account should take approximately 10 minutes. Lesson Overview: Students will conduct research on animals as part of their studies of adaptations of living systems. Students will complete research of their animals using the Internet resources provided. Upon completion of research, students will write a script from the perspective of the animal and create a video using Face Talker where the animal tells about the ecosystem where it lives, what it eats, its predators, and how it adapts to its environment. Once the projects are complete, they will be shared using SmileBox for the class to view. Standards: Science RT7: Adaptations of Living Systems: Explain how plants and animals are adapted to an ecosystem; explain how plants and animals are interdependent in an ecosystem. Language Arts: RT11: Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas:

Successful presentation of information requires students to identify, organize, and express concepts and ideas. It may involve digital media and visual display of data to convey information and enhance student audience understanding. Writing: RT13: Informational Writing: Students write to examine and convey ideas and information clearly and accurately through effective selection, organization, and analysis. Ideas are supported with facts, evidence and/or examples as appropriate. Objectives: 1. The student will be able to conduct research on the Internet with guidance and support from the teacher. 2. The students will explain what continent the animal lives on, what ecosystem it lives in, what it eats, its predators, and any adaptations it has for survival. 3. The student will write a script from the perspective of the animal to share the facts they gathered during research. 4. The student will locate and save a picture of the animals face into the camera roll to use with Face Talker. 5. The student will create a video from the animals perspective using Face Talker. Skills Necessary for Project: How to launch Internet from school computer or iPad How to use QR code scanner How to save photos to the camera roll How to email NETS For Students: Creativity and Innovation Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. Students: Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes. Create original works as a means of personal or group expression. Use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues. Identify trends and forecast possibilities. Research and Information Fluency: Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.

Students: Plan strategies to guide inquiry Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media. Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based upon the appropriateness to specific tasks. Process data and report results. Technology Operations and Concepts Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations. Students: 1. Understand and use technology systems. 2. Select and use applications effectively and productively. 3. Troubleshoot systems and applications. 4. Transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies. Websites and apps used in student worksheet below: Kids Biology : QR Coded

National Geographic Animals for Kids: QR Coded

Blabberize Use Blabberize if you only access to classroom computers. Face Talker If you have access to iPads you can use the Face Talker app. You do not need to create an account to utilize the app. Smilebox Smilebox has a free account available for teachers. You will find it located at the bottom of the website under Teachers Toolbox. After the students complete the video they will email them to you. You can put them into Smilebox to share with parents and other students or follow this link to directly access the Teachers Toolbox.

Assessment:

Accommodations: Screen text can be enlarged for students with visual impairments. Students with reading and writing disabilities can utilize Microsoft Windows Narrator and Speech Recognition. Narrator will read the text, and Speech Recognition will type text. Windows 7 is necessary for these programs. Accommodations for iPad Users: iPad has many accessibility features in the settings that students with disabilities can use: The iPad also has a Voice Dictation Feature that student can utilize. You can also have the iPad read text on the screen to students using iPad VoiceOver.

Talking Animals Research Project

Name: ________________________________________ For this project, you will first select an animal (animals that are pets or extinct are not acceptable). Your teacher must approve your choice.

When your teacher has approved your choice, you will use the iPad and the QR codes below to visit the animal websites. Locate information about the animal you are researching. Use the form below to record the information you find.

QR Codes for Animal Websites

National Geographic

Kids Biology

Name:__________________

Animal Research Form

Animal: Teachers Approval:

Continent where animal lives:

Animals Habitat: (Example: desert, ocean, forest)

Is it an herbivore, carnivore or omnivore?

Who are its predators?

What adaptations does it have that helps it survive in its habitat?

Interesting Facts:

Once your research is complete, find a picture of your animals face and save it to the camera roll. The picture should be front facing and the mouth of the animal should be

closed. Copy and save the picture to the camera roll . Write down the number of the iPad you are using today so you can find your picture later.

My iPads number is: __________________________ Now you will write a 2 3 minute script. Remember you are writing from the animals point of view. You will read this script when completing your project. Practice your script several times with a partner. Make sure you include all the information you learned while doing your research.

Name:____________________ My Script __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________

__________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ ____________________

How to use Face Talker

First launch the Face Talker App on your iPad. This is what you will see:

Tap on photo album and locate the picture of the animal you saved earlier. Tap on the photo. The picture below is what you will see next. Using your fingers place the photo in the correct position and move it to fit.

When the photo is in the correct position, tap done. This is what you will see next:

Have your script ready. Tap the red button and begin recording your voice. Tap the red button again when finished. In the upper right hand corner you will find a box with an arrow. Tap on this box. This is what you will see next:

Email your photo to your teacher so that it can be shared with your class! Congratulations, you are finished!

How to Use Blabberize

Use the QR code below to learn how to use Blabberize:

Use the QR Code below to go the Blabberize website:

Resources Acknowledgement for technology integration idea goes to: http://karenogen.blogspot.com/