Education Standards
Google Folder with most of the resources
Standards Alignment
Awesome Animal Actions (K-2)
Overview
This sequence of instruction was developed in the Growing Elementary Science Project to help elementary teachers who were working remotely. We developed a short storyline that ties together a few sessions to help explore a specific concept. We tried to include some activities that honored and included the student’s family and experience, and some that included the potential for ELA learning goals.
In this Unit of Instruction, students observe and act out animal behaviors, then observe animal behaviors for animals in their lives. They use these observations to determine what some animals' needs may be.
It is part of ClimeTime - a collaboration among all nine Educational Service Districts (ESDs) in Washington and many Community Partners to provide programs for science teacher training around Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and climate science, thanks to grant money made available to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) by Governor Inslee.
Storyline
( pdf version: https://bit.ly/3gmDD5Z )
How do different animals use their unique parts to survive and thrive?
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| Ask and ExploreIntroduce Phenomena or Problem | Carrying Out an InvestigationInvestigation – discussion questions- support student use of three-dimensions | Read, Write, Make SenseDiscuss Results- Read to gather information- Make Sense of our Ideas | Putting the Pieces TogetherBring together evidence from activities-synthesize- extending the learning based on student interest |
Engaging Students in Practices | Launch: Charades!
Teacher acts out an animal - no words or sounds allowed!
Teacher/students act out other animals, with probing questions after each one. (See slide notes for probing questions.)
Some prerecorded animal charades (no sound): https:
| Introduce the recording sheet, and explain options for using it:
Observation Recording Sheet: https: Jamboard version of recording Form (Will ask you to make a copy to your own google space.): https: Use a video clip to demonstrate filling in the recording sheet. Example videos: Collection of animal actions – pause after each for discussion. NOT LABELLED: https: Examples grouped by action:
Observation Analysis? Use the analysis sheet to summarize all of the students’ observations. Ask: Did all animals do the same actions in the | Data Analysis. Use student observations to create a summary of all behaviors observed: Data Analysis Sheet (PDF): Jamboard version (save a copy): https:
Here’s a Jamboard students can use to create a model of their thinking. (Save a copy to your space.): (Just drag and place words and images)
We’ve created a list of articles on NewsELA (Grade 2) and some suggested readaloud books that can be used to further explore animal actions: | Select which choice or choices to offer students for demonstrating their understanding of structure and function. Draw an ActionAnimal Charades and ExplanationCompare and ContrastMaking New Book PagesUpdating Book PagesAnimal PuppetsEach of these are described in the document: |
Family and Community Connections | AWESOME ANIMAL ACTION CHARADES See instruction sheet and action slips here: https: | ANIMAL OBSERVATIONS Students have a choice to observe domestic animals or wild animals they have near their homes. Observation and recording can be done as a family.
Observation Recording Sheet: https: Jamboard version of recording Form (Will ask you to make a copy to your own google space.): https: Example Sheet for Hummingbird: |
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Technology Considerations
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| If students do not have the ability to observe animals in “real life,” access to video clips and/or webcams is required.
List of highlight videos and live webcams for a variety of animals: https:
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| This will depend on the options on the choice board chosen by teachers and by students. |
Storyline Launch → → → → → Investigating → → → → → Sensemaking |
Materials
Awesome Animal Actions (K-2) Standards alignment: https://bit.ly/3B0AmB4
Some prerecorded animal charades (no sound): https://bit.ly/383Xxy6
Animal Charades Instructions and Cards: https://bit.ly/3mvLmCv
Observation Recording Sheet: https://bit.ly/3grmV5z
- Jamboard Version: https://bit.ly/3jaxWcW
- Example Sheet for Hummingbird: https://bit.ly/3B7qPbC
Example Animal Behavior Videos
- Collection of animal actions – pause after each for discussion. NOT LABELLED: https://bit.ly/2UFHPpF
- Examples grouped by action: https://bit.ly/3sEl0PU
List of highlight videos and live webcams for a variety of animals: https://bit.ly/2XRsP9B
Data Analysis Sheet
- (PDF): https://bit.ly/3B4rw5p
- Jamboard version (save a copy): https://bit.ly/384dLHz
Jamboard to create a model (Save a copy to your space.): https://bit.ly/3zbmNhS
Reading and Read-Aloud Suggestions: https://bit.ly/3kiU9VF
Sensemaking Activities Choice Board: https://bit.ly/3DbD1K1
Google Folder with most of these resources: https://bit.ly/3D9C1Gv
Standards Alignment
This document lists the Science AND ELA standards that are/can be addressed with these materials - at the Kindergarten, First Grade and Second Grade levels.