Animal Habitat Designers
Created byBetsy Roxburgh
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Animal Habitat Designers

Grade 1EnglishMathScience10 days
In the 'Animal Habitat Designers' project, first-grade students become young habitat designers, charged with improving animal habitats by identifying missing elements through observation and analysis of images and videos. Through hands-on activities and reflections, students apply their understanding of ecosystems, structure, and function by creating habitat models that incorporate essential elements and serve real-world applications. The project helps students draw parallels between animal adaptations and human problem-solving, culminating in presentations of their designs and reflective insights on their learning journey.
Animal HabitatsEcosystemsStructure and FunctionAdaptationProblem SolvingDesign Thinking
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as young habitat designers, identify and solve the lack of essential parts in an animal's habitat to help them survive and thrive, and what inspiration can we draw from this to address human challenges?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What is an ecosystem and why is it important for animals?
  • What parts of a habitat are necessary for animals to survive and thrive?
  • How can we identify what's missing in an animal's habitat by looking at photos?
  • How do the external parts of plants and animals help them survive in their habitats?
  • What can we learn from the ways plants and animals use their external parts that can help us solve human problems?
  • How do habitats change and what are the impacts on the animals living there?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will be able to identify essential parts of animal habitats necessary for survival and articulate why each component is important.
  • Students will be able to analyze images of animal habitats to determine missing elements.
  • Students will be able to design a habitat addressing missing elements by using knowledge of how plants and animals use their external parts.
  • Students will be able to construct explanations for their design choices, reflecting on structure and function principles.
  • Students will be able to communicate their findings and solutions clearly, using appropriate scientific terminology.

STEELS Standards

1-LS1-1
Primary
Use materials to design a solution to a human problem by mimicking how plants and/or animals use their external parts to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs.Reason: The project involves students designing habitats using inspiration from animal adaptations, which directly involves understanding how animal parts help them survive.

Science and Engineering Practices

SEP
Primary
Constructing Explanations and Designing SolutionsReason: Students are tasked with identifying missing elements in habitats and proposing solutions, thus engaging in constructing explanations and designing solutions.

Crosscutting Concepts

CCC
Primary
Structure and FunctionReason: The project requires examining how the structures of habitats function to meet the needs of animals, aligning with the structure and function concept.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

DCI
Primary
LS1.A: Structure and FunctionReason: Students need to understand the role of different structures in animal survival, which is central to the disciplinary core idea of Structure and Function.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.1
Supporting
Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.Reason: The project involves students analyzing information (photos, texts) to identify missing habitat elements, requiring inquiry and comprehension skills.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.MD.A.1
Supporting
Order three objects by length; compare the lengths of two objects indirectly by using a third object.Reason: Students may need to compare various habitat components, potentially incorporating basic measurement skills into analysis activities.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Animal Detective Mystery

Introduce an intriguing mystery where an animal is missing certain habitat elements, affecting its survival. Students become detectives tasked with gathering clues and evidence through observing images and video clips, learning to identify what elements are essential for that animal's well-being.

Mystery Box Challenge

Students receive boxes containing items that represent parts of a habitat. Using these items, they brainstorm and create connections to real-life habitats, water their curiosity about how each piece affects the overall ecosystem and what might happen if one is missing.

Virtual Habitat Tour

Kick off the project with a virtual tour of various animal habitats around the world. As students embark on this digital journey, they'll jot down elements that make each habitat unique yet essential for the animals living there, sparking questions about the implications of missing elements.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Habitat Detective Explorer

In this activity, students will embark on a journey as habitat detectives, tasked with observing animal habitats through photos and videos. They will identify essential elements within these habitats and discern what might be missing. This serves as an introduction to ecosystems and how they cater to animal needs.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. View different animal photos showcasing their natural habitats.
2. Discuss with peers what elements are visible and might be crucial for survival.
3. Identify and record any missing elements that could affect the animal's well-being.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA list of identified elements present and missing in various habitats, presented in a simple chart or worksheet.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity supports the standard 1-LS1-1 by introducing students to how habitats fulfill animal needs, laying the groundwork for understanding the function of external animal parts.
Activity 2

Habitat Structure Function Analysis

Building on their detective work, students will now focus on understanding how each identified element supports animal survival. Through collaborative discussions and guided inquiry, they will explore structure-function relationships in ecosystems.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Select one animal from the previous activity and examine its habitat.
2. Identify the role of each habitat element and describe how it contributes to the animal's survival.
3. Use sentence starters like 'The tree provides...' to describe the habitat's functions.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed description sheet illustrating how each habitat element supports the animal, enhanced with simple illustrations.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity aligns with CCC (Structure and Function) by clarifying how specific structures within a habitat support animal life.
Activity 3

Habitat Enhancement Workshop

Students will engage in a hands-on activity where they create or modify a habitat model using various materials. The focus is on addressing the missing elements identified earlier and ensuring each component has a clear purpose for the animal's survival.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Gather materials such as clay, twigs, leaves, and cardboard to construct a habitat model.
2. Incorporate missing habitat elements identified earlier into the model, explaining their relevance.
3. Collaborate with peers to refine and enhance the model, ensuring each element serves a function.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA three-dimensional habitat model that incorporates the missing elements, complete with explanations on the role of each part.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with 1-LS1-1 and SEP by tasking students with designing a solution to a habitat challenge, emphasizing the function of structures.
Activity 4

Design Reflection Journal

Reflecting on their new understandings, students maintain a journal to document their thought process throughout the habitat design project. They will make connections between their models and real-world animal needs.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Write a journal entry reflecting on the habitat design process and your model choices.
2. Explain how the added elements enhance the habitat and support animal survival.
3. Draw connections to real-world applications and what humans can learn from animal adaptations.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA reflective journal capturing insights on habitat design, connecting knowledge of animal structures to human problems.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports all standards by synthesizing and articulating understanding of structure, function, and design in habitats.
Activity 5

Habitat Solution Presentation

As a culminating activity, students will present their habitat models and reflections to the class or a wider audience. They will articulate their learning journey, explaining the importance of each habitat component and drawing parallels to human innovations.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Prepare a presentation using your model and journal insights.
2. Present your design to peers, explaining how it addresses missing elements.
3. Answer questions from the audience about your choices and processes.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA class presentation showcasing the habitat model and design process, highlighting solutions and connections to human challenges.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsBuilds on DCI and CCC standards by requiring students to communicate detailed understanding of structure and function in their designed solutions.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Animal Habitat Design Rubric

Category 1

Understanding of Habitats

Assessment of students' grasp of essential habitat components and their role in animal survival.
Criterion 1

Identification of Habitat Elements

Measures ability to recognize and list critical habitat elements from observations.

Exemplary
4 Points

Thoroughly identifies all essential habitat elements, showcasing in-depth understanding and recall of examples from lessons.

Proficient
3 Points

Accurately lists most essential habitat elements with mostly correct recall of examples.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies some essential habitat elements with several omissions or inaccuracies.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows difficulty in identifying or listing habitat elements, with major gaps in understanding.

Criterion 2

Understanding of Structure and Function

Evaluates comprehension of how habitat elements support animal life through structure and function insights.

Exemplary
4 Points

Shows exceptional understanding of structure-function relationships, articulating clear and detailed explanations.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates a good understanding of structure and function with clear but less detailed explanations.

Developing
2 Points

Shows some understanding of structure and function but with limited or unclear explanations.

Beginning
1 Points

Demonstrates minimal understanding of structure and function, with incomplete or inaccurate explanations.

Category 2

Creativity and Innovation

Evaluation of creativity in designing solutions to habitat challenges, incorporating missing elements in an innovative manner.
Criterion 1

Design and Solution Creativity

Measures the creativity and innovativeness in the habitat model designed by the student.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates high levels of creativity and innovation in design, with unique integration of missing habitat elements.

Proficient
3 Points

Displays creativity with effective incorporation of missing habitat elements into the design.

Developing
2 Points

Shows some creativity, but with limited integration of missing habitat elements or common ideas.

Beginning
1 Points

Exhibits minimal creativity or innovation in design, with incomplete incorporation of elements.

Category 3

Communication and Reflection

Assessment of the student's ability to communicate their design process and reflections effectively.
Criterion 1

Clarity of Presentation

Evaluates how well the student presents their habitat model and design process, including reasoning for choices.

Exemplary
4 Points

Presents with exceptional clarity and detail, articulating reasoning and decisions persuasively.

Proficient
3 Points

Communicates clearly with good reasoning and explanation of design decisions.

Developing
2 Points

Presentation is somewhat clear but lacks detail or cohesive reasoning in explanations.

Beginning
1 Points

Presents with minimal clarity or cohesion, with unclear or unsupported reasoning.

Criterion 2

Reflective Journal Insights

Assesses depth of insights and connections made in reflective journal entries.

Exemplary
4 Points

Reflective journal contains insightful observations and robust connections between animal and human adaptations.

Proficient
3 Points

Journal includes clear insights and some connections to human-related adaptations.

Developing
2 Points

Journal shows limited insights and weak connections between adaptations.

Beginning
1 Points

Reflective entries are minimal or lack clear insights or connections.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

What was the most challenging part of identifying the missing elements in animal habitats, and how did you overcome this challenge?

Text
Required
Question 2

On a scale from 1-5, how confident do you feel about your ability to design a habitat solution using knowledge from this project?

Scale
Required
Question 3

How do you think your habitat model can inspire solutions to real-world human problems?

Text
Required
Question 4

Which activity from the project was your favorite, and why?

Multiple choice
Optional
Options
Habitat Detective Explorer
Habitat Structure Function Analysis
Habitat Enhancement Workshop
Design Reflection Journal
Habitat Solution Presentation
Question 5

Reflecting on your journal entries, what growth or changes did you notice in your understanding of habitats and their importance to animal survival?

Text
Required