Asian endangered animal Life Cycle Documentary: A 3rd Grade Project
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Asian endangered animal Life Cycle Documentary: A 3rd Grade Project

Grade 3ScienceEnglishArtTechnology14 days
In this 3rd-grade project, students create a documentary showcasing the life cycle of an endangered animal in Asia. Integrating science, English, art, and technology, they explore animal growth, structures, and changes. The project incorporates non-chronological report features, artistic visuals, and culminates in a storyboard for their documentary segment.
Endangered AnimalsLife CycleDocumentaryNon-Chronological ReportAsian AnimalsStoryboardingScience
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we create a documentary that showcases the complete life cycle of an endangered Asian animal, explaining its growth, structures, and changes, while integrating scientific facts, non-chronological report features, artistic visuals, and technology?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What are the stages of the life cycle of the endangered Asian animal?
  • How do living things grow and change?
  • What structures does the endangered Asian animal need to grow and function?
  • What are the features of a non-chronological report?
  • How can we use technology to create a documentary?
  • How can art enhance our understanding and presentation of the endangered Asian animal's life cycle?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Understand the life cycle of endangered animals in Asia.
  • Explain how living things grow and change.
  • Identify the structures that endangered animals in Asia need to grow and function.
  • Learn the features of a non-chronological report.
  • Use technology to create a documentary.
  • Use art to enhance understanding and presentation of the life cycle of endangered animals in Asia.

Science

3-LS1-1
Primary
Living things grow, change, and have offspring similar to themselves.Reason: Directly addresses the life cycle and changes of living things.
3-LS1-1
Primary
Living things require structure for growth and function.Reason: Relates to the physical needs and adaptations of endangered animals in Asia.

English

3-W-2
Primary
Report features in a non-chronological report.Reason: Focuses on the structure and features of non-chronological reports.
3-RI-5
Primary
Non-fiction texts (features).Reason: Covers the features of non-fiction texts.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

A Baby's-Eye View: VR Animal Adventure

Students engage in a virtual reality experience that simulates life as a baby version of an endangered animal in Asia. As they 'live' through the animal's early life stages, they document their observations and emotions, which they then use to create a compelling and immersive documentary. This approach harnesses technology and firsthand experience.
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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

Endangered Animal Life Cycle Timeline

Students create a visual timeline of the endangered animal's life cycle, labeling each stage (egg/birth, infancy, adolescence, adulthood) and describing the key changes happening at each stage.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Choose an endangered animal in Asia.
2. Research the four stages of the animal's life cycle: egg/birth, infancy, adolescence, and adulthood.
3. Draw or find images representing each stage.
4. Write a short description of the key changes and characteristics of each stage.
5. Arrange the stages in chronological order on a timeline.
6. Label each stage clearly.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed, illustrated timeline of the endangered animal's life cycle.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with Science Standard 3-LS1-1 (Living things grow, change, and have offspring similar to themselves) by focusing on the animal's stages.
Activity 2

Endangered Animal Structure Explorers

Students investigate the structures that endangered animals in Asia use for survival and growth in each stage of their life cycle (e.g., trunk of an elephant, webbed feet of a gharial). They create labeled diagrams highlighting these structures and explaining their functions.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Choose one or more endangered animals in Asia and a stage in its life cycle to focus on.
2. Research the physical structures that are important for survival in that stage (e.g., trunk of an elephant, webbed feet of a gharial).
3. Draw a detailed diagram of the chosen structure(s).
4. Label the different parts of the structure.
5. Write a short explanation of the function of each part and how it helps the animal survive.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityLabeled diagrams of endangered animal structures at different life stages, explaining their functions.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with Science Standard 3-LS1-1 (Living things require structure for growth and function) by exploring the physical adaptations of each stage.
Activity 3

Endangered Animal Stage Reporter

Students write a non-chronological report about one stage of an endangered animal's life cycle in Asia. They will focus on descriptive language, headings, subheadings, captions, and diagrams.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Choose one stage of an endangered animal's life cycle in Asia.
2. Research detailed information about this stage, focusing on interesting facts and features.
3. Organize your information into sections with headings and subheadings.
4. Write descriptive paragraphs about the key aspects of the stage.
5. Include a diagram or illustration with captions to explain visual elements.
6. Review your report for clarity, accuracy, and the use of non-chronological report features.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA non-chronological report about a specific stage of the life cycle of an endangered animal in Asia.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with English Standard 3-W-2 (Report features in a non-chronological report) by practicing informative writing with specific features.
Activity 4

Documentary Feature Detectives

Students watch short excerpts from nature documentaries about endangered animals in Asia. They analyze the segments, identifying the non-fiction text features used (e.g., close-up shots, narration, diagrams, text overlays) and discussing how these features enhance understanding.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Watch several short excerpts from nature documentaries about endangered animals in Asia.
2. As you watch, pay attention to the different elements used to present information (e.g., visuals, narration, text).
3. Identify specific non-fiction text features, such as close-up shots, time-lapse footage, diagrams, maps, narration, interviews with experts, text overlays, and sound effects.
4. For each feature, discuss how it helps viewers understand the animal's life cycle or related concepts.
5. Create a list of the features and write a short explanation of the purpose and impact of each one.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA list of non-fiction text features observed in endangered animal documentaries, with explanations of how each feature contributes to understanding.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with English Standard 3-RI-5 (Non-fiction texts (features)) by analyzing existing documentaries and identifying key features.
Activity 5

Documentary Storyboard Artists

Students create a storyboard for their section of the endangered animal's life cycle documentary. They plan the visuals (live-action footage, animations, images), narration script, on-screen text, and sound effects. This activity combines their scientific understanding, writing skills, artistic vision, and technological planning.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Choose one stage of the endangered animal's life cycle to focus on for your documentary segment.
2. Brainstorm the visuals you want to include (e.g., live-action footage of animals eating, animated diagrams of their habitat, time-lapse footage of a baby animal growing).
3. Write a script for the narration that will accompany the visuals, explaining the key events and scientific concepts.
4. Plan any on-screen text or graphics you want to include (e.g., labels, definitions, facts).
5. Think about the sound effects and music you want to use to enhance the segment.
6. Create a storyboard with sketches of each scene, along with the corresponding narration, text, and sound effects.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed storyboard outlining the visual and audio elements of their documentary segment.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsIntegrates Science, English, Art, and Technology standards.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Asian Endangered Animal Life Cycle Documentary Rubric

Category 1

Content Knowledge and Application

Assesses the student's understanding of the endangered animal life cycle, application of non-chronological report writing techniques, and creative planning of the documentary storyboard.
Criterion 1

Scientific Accuracy

Accuracy and depth of understanding of the endangered animal life cycle stages.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates a sophisticated and comprehensive understanding of all endangered animal life cycle stages, including detailed and accurate information.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates a thorough understanding of all endangered animal life cycle stages, with accurate and relevant information.

Developing
2 Points

Shows an emerging understanding of the endangered animal life cycle stages, but some information may be incomplete or contain minor inaccuracies.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows an initial understanding of the endangered animal life cycle stages, but struggles with accurate information and complete stages.

Criterion 2

Non-Chronological Report Features

Effective use of non-chronological report features in the documentary segment.

Exemplary
4 Points

Expertly integrates non-chronological report features (headings, subheadings, captions, diagrams) to enhance clarity and engagement.

Proficient
3 Points

Successfully incorporates non-chronological report features to present information clearly and effectively.

Developing
2 Points

Attempts to use non-chronological report features, but some elements are missing or not effectively integrated.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows limited understanding or use of non-chronological report features.

Criterion 3

Creative Storyboarding

Creativity and effectiveness in planning visual and audio elements to enhance the documentary.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates exceptional creativity and innovation in the use of visuals, narration, and sound to create a compelling documentary storyboard.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates effective planning of visuals, narration, and sound to clearly communicate information in the storyboard.

Developing
2 Points

Shows some planning of visuals, narration, and sound, but the elements are not fully integrated or effective.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows minimal planning of visuals, narration, and sound with limited consideration of their impact on the documentary.

Criterion 4

Storyboard Organization

Clarity and organization of the storyboard, demonstrating a logical flow of information.

Exemplary
4 Points

The storyboard is exceptionally clear, well-organized, and flows logically, enhancing the overall understanding of the endangered animal life cycle.

Proficient
3 Points

The storyboard is clear, well-organized, and presents a logical flow of information.

Developing
2 Points

The storyboard is somewhat organized, but clarity and logical flow could be improved.

Beginning
1 Points

The storyboard lacks organization, clarity, and a logical flow of information.

Reflection Prompts

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

What was the most surprising thing you learned about the endangered animal's life cycle while working on this project?

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Question 2

How did creating the documentary help you understand the science concepts better?

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Question 3

What was the most challenging part of creating the documentary, and how did you overcome it?

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Question 4

How did you use the features of a non-chronological report in your documentary? Give specific examples.

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Question 5

If you could create another documentary about an endangered species, what animal would you choose and why?

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