Animal Investigation

In this science lesson, students will have the opportunity to gather information from media sources, direct observation, interviews, and experiment or investigate to answer a questions, record gathered information, display the gathered information using the appropriate format, and explain the answer to the questions. Students will learn various ways of collecting data, learn to record their data, and graph their data. They will be categorizing, classifying, and recording data related to several different animals.

Animal Investigation Grade Level: Second
Primary content standard: data categorization, classification, and recording.
A student shall demonstrate the ability to categorize, classify, and record information by:
A. gathering information from media sources, direct observation, interviews, and experiment or investigation to answer a question;
B. recording the gathered information;
C. displaying the gathered information using the appropriate format; and
D. explaining the answer to the question.

I. Concepts: Categorizing, classifying, and recording data related to several different animals.

II. Objectives:
* Students will learn the various ways of collecting data.
* Students will learn to record their data.
* Students will learn to graph their data.

III. Materials
* Large pictures of animals
* Chalkboard or marker board with writing utensils
* Animal investigation notebooks and pencils for each child
* Animal masks
* Video dip, books, magazines and other reference materials to be used as research sources

IV. Procedure: Part 1
A. Introduction
1. Tell students, "Today we are going to become scientists."
2. Show students pictures of the animals that they are to find around the room and take careful scientific notes about.
B. Learning activities
1. Review methods of finding out information. Write them on the board.
a. Interviews
b. Books and other reading materials
c. Videos
d. Internet and computers
2. Review important questions that should
be asked in the interview. Write on the board.
a. Name?
b. Birthplace and habitat?
c. What is your skin like and do you have fur (in animal interview)? d. Do mothers nurse their babies (in animal interview)? e. Are you warm- blooded (animal interview)?
3. Explain that students can use only one interview in collecting their data. Vote on animal to be interviewed.
4. Pass out "Animal Investigation" notebook and pencil to each student.
5. Become the animal by putting on mask of selected animal. State the name of the animal and tell class that you are pleased to meet them.
6. Begin the interview and field some questions, a. What is your name? Little Bear, b. Where do you live? I live in wooded areas and caves, c. Do you have fur? Yes, and lots of it.
7. Have them record their information in their Animal Investigation notebooks.

V. Evaluation
Check each child's notebook to see what was recorded and what question(s) they wanted to ask the bear.

VI. Procedure: Part Two
1. Review what information was gained from the interview.
2. Ask students, "What questions did the bear answer in her song?"
3. Allow students to research each animal set up at stations and record their data.
4. Gather students together and make conclusions based on their data. Ask students, "What makes a mammal a mammal?" Review characteristics of each class of animals.
5. Graph each animal using their picture and name on board.
6.Send each child back to their seat to create their own graph.

Ask that they draw a picture and write the name of an animal that fits into each class.

VII. Evaluation
Check collected graphs and see which animals have been placed in each class.

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