1. Topic-
The Basic Needs of Animals

(Pennsylvania Standard: 3.1.3.C
Anchor: S3.B.1.1.3)
 
2. Content-
Biology; evolution; animals require food, air, water, and shelter to survive; shelter and food needs are not the same for all animals.
 
3. Goals: Aims/Outcomes-
1. Students will able to effectively select material relevant to their research.
2. Students will be able to do research on the Internet.
3. Students will be able to list animal necessities for survival.
4.Students will be able to distinguish between wants and needs.
 
4. Objectives-
1. Students will make personal connections.
2. Students will demonstrate computer knowledge by using the Internet to conduct research.
3. Students will show understanding by writing a one page research paper.
4. Students will practice and further develop their reading, writing, and language arts skills.
 
5. Materials and Aids-
Video, graphic organizer (basic necessity category information to keep the paper on topic), animal list, computers (for research).
 
6. Procedures/Methods-

A. Introduction-

1. Start the class by giving them a scenario. "You are about to be sent to an unknown planet for a week. You must give the person arranging the visit a list of four things required to survive. This is not a list of wants; it is a list of needs!"
2. Allow the students to think about the situation and write their survival list.
3. Role play time! Teacher tells all of the students who wrote "food" to come to one section of the class. Anyone in that group who does not have "water" and "shelter" has died and must sit down. There is one more necessity. Ask for suggestions. The answer is "air." Anyone who had all four survived.
 

B. Development-

1. The teacher explains that humans are animals and goes over what animals generally need to survive.
2. Teacher gives examples of the shelters and food choices for different animals.
 

C. Practice-

1. Students will watch a short video on the basic needs of animals.
2. Students will discuss the video and answer questions the teacher asks.
 

D. Independent Practice-

1. Each student is given an animal to research.
2. Each student will be required to write a one page paper about his animal's necessities and one or two other things that relate to the animals survival. (Example: known predators)
 

E. Accommodations (Differentiated Instruction)-

1. Student may use the computer to write if they have difficulty using writing tools.
2. Student may write a shorter paper.
 

F. Checking for understanding-

1. Formative: Observation; discussion; verbal questions
2. Summative: Research paper
 

G. Closure-

1. Students will finish the paper for homework.
2. Tomorrow, we will focus on what plants need to survive.
 
7. Evaluation-
1. The quality of the research papers.
2.Class reactions; ask for opinions on the assignment.
 
8. Teacher Reflection-
The students did very well on their papers. Next time, I will let the students choose their own animals to research. I will also have other sources for the students, instead of just the Internet
 

This Lesson Plan is available at (www.teacherjet.com)