Episode 45 — World of Animals

Lesson Plans

Student Interactives

Printouts

Professional Library

Activities & Projects

Podcast Episodes

 

Lesson Plans

Grades   K – 2  |  Lesson Plan  |  Unit

Investigating Animals: Using Nonfiction for Inquiry-based Research

Inspired by their curiosity about animals, students work together to research an animal of their choice and present the information they gather to an authentic audience.

 

Grades   K – 2  |  Lesson Plan  |  Standard Lesson

Animal Study: From Fiction to Facts

Students listen to fiction and nonfiction read-alouds and explore selected Websites to identify factual information about animals. This lesson focuses on ants, but can be adapted to any animal.

 

Grades   6 – 8  |  Lesson Plan  |  Standard Lesson

Using THIEVES to Preview Nonfiction Texts

Students become "thieves" in this lesson as they use a previewing strategy to "steal" information from textbooks and other nonfiction texts before actually reading them.

 

Grades   3 – 5  |  Lesson Plan  |  Standard Lesson

Using Science Texts to Teach the Organizational Features of Nonfiction

Students explore organizational features of nonfiction science. Students then work together to create a two-page spread using those features to present information about their local environment.

 

Grades   3 – 5  |  Lesson Plan  |  Recurring Lesson

Webcams in the Classroom: Animal Inquiry and Observation

Students observe animals using one of the many webcams broadcasting from zoos and aquariums around the United States and the world, with a focus on observation, discussion, questioning, and research.

 

back to top

 

Student Interactives

Grades   3 – 6  |  Student Interactive  |  Inquiry & Analysis

Animal Inquiry

Supporting inquiry-based research projects, the Animal Inquiry interactive invites elementary students to explore animal facts and habitats using writing prompts to guide and record their findings.

 

back to top

 

Printouts

Grades   3 – 8  |  Printout  |  Graphic Organizer

Nonfiction Pyramid

After students read an article or other work of nonfiction, they can use the Nonfiction Pyramid to reflect on key ideas and details in the text.

 

back to top

 

Professional Library

Grades   K – 8  |  Professional Library  |  Journal

Nonfiction Inquiry: Using Real Reading and Writing to Explore the World

Nonfiction is the genre most likely to spur children’s passion and wonder for learning. This article discusses way to motivate children to read nonfiction.

 

back to top

 

Activities & Projects

Grades   3 – 5  |  Activity & Project

Take a Virtual Field Trip

Can't make it to a zoo? Observe animal habits and habitats using one of the many Webcams broadcasting from zoos and aquariums around the United States and the world.

 

Grades   3 – 5  |  Activity & Project

Go Ape with Webcams!

Can't make it to a zoo? After reading a book about apes, observe animal habits and habitats using one of the many Webcams broadcasting from zoos and aquariums around the United States and the world.

 

back to top

 

Podcast Episodes

Grades   K – 5  |  Podcast Episode

Lizard Love

Discover a love for lizards in these nonfiction and fiction books.

 

back to top