Created byRyszarda Kozikowska-Dyb

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Autumn Animal Adventure Guide

Grade 2Science1 days

In this project, 2nd-grade students become wildlife experts, creating an interactive guide to showcase how Polish animals prepare for autumn. They investigate animal adaptations, Polish weather patterns, and specific survival strategies through research, observation logs, and creative activities. The project culminates in a collaborative interactive guide, teaching others about the amazing ways animals adjust to the challenges of the season.

Animal AdaptationsPolish AnimalsAutumn SeasonInteractive GuideWildlifeWeatherHibernation

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design an interactive guide to showcase the amazing ways Polish animals prepare for the challenges of autumn?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

How do animals adapt to the changing seasons in Poland?
What are the typical weather conditions during autumn in Poland, and how do they affect animals?
Which animals in Poland prepare for autumn, and what specific actions do they take?
How can we create an interactive guide to teach others about animal adaptations in the Polish autumn?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Students will be able to describe how animals adapt to the changing seasons in Poland.
Students will be able to explain the typical weather conditions during autumn in Poland, and how they affect animals.
Students will be able to identify which animals in Poland prepare for autumn, and what specific actions they take.
Students will be able to design an interactive guide to teach others about animal adaptations in the Polish autumn.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Animal Autumn Games

Host an "Animal Autumn Games" event where students participate in challenges that mimic how animals prepare for autumn. This includes a "squirrel gathering nuts" relay race, a "bird migration" map-reading challenge, and a "hedgehog hibernation" building contest using natural materials.

Mystery of the Missing Acorns

Begin with a staged "crime scene" where acorns have mysteriously disappeared from a local park. Students act as investigators, gathering clues about which animals might be responsible and why, connecting it to their preparations for autumn.

Autumn Animal Interview

Invite a local wildlife expert to present on autumn animal behaviors. Students prepare interview questions in advance and engage in a Q&A session to uncover interesting facts.

"If I Were an Autumn Animal" Creative Writing

Challenge students to imagine themselves as a specific Polish animal preparing for autumn. They then create a short story, poem, or skit from the animal's perspective, detailing their survival strategies.

Build an Autumn Animal Shelter

Task students with building miniature shelters suitable for different Polish animals preparing for autumn. They must research the specific needs of their chosen animal and justify their design choices, fostering empathy and practical application of knowledge.

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Portfolio Activities

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

Activity 1

Polish Autumn Weather Report

Students research typical weather conditions in Poland during autumn to understand the environmental challenges animals face. This activity provides context for the animals' adaptive behaviors.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Research typical autumn weather conditions in Poland (temperature, rainfall, wind, etc.).

2. Create a weather report using visual aids like graphs, charts, or drawings to present the data.

3. Write a short paragraph explaining how these weather conditions might affect local animals.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA weather report with visual aids and a written explanation of the impact on animals.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to explain the typical weather conditions during autumn in Poland, and how they affect animals.

Activity 2

Animal Adaptation Fact File

Students create fact files for specific Polish animals, detailing their autumn adaptations. This builds on the observation log and weather report to provide in-depth knowledge.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Choose a Polish animal that prepares for autumn (e.g., hedgehog, squirrel, stork).

2. Research the animal's specific autumn adaptations (e.g., hibernation, food storage, migration).

3. Create a fact file with information on the animal’s appearance, habitat, autumn behaviors, and adaptations.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed fact file with information and illustrations of a Polish animal and its autumn adaptations.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to describe how animals adapt to the changing seasons in Poland.

Activity 3

Interactive Guide Design Blueprint

Students plan the structure and content of their interactive guide. This activity focuses on organizing information in an engaging and educational manner.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Brainstorm different ways to present information in an interactive guide (e.g., pop-up facts, quizzes, games, maps).

2. Create a blueprint or storyboard outlining the sections of the guide and the content for each section.

3. Decide on the layout and design elements of the guide, including illustrations, colors, and fonts.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed blueprint or storyboard for the interactive guide, outlining its structure, content, and design.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to design an interactive guide to teach others about animal adaptations in the Polish autumn.

Activity 4

Autumn Animal Interactive Guide Creation

Students create their interactive guide showcasing how Polish animals adapt to autumn. This is the final culmination of their research and planning.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Gather all research, fact files, weather reports, and design blueprints.

2. Use chosen medium (digital tool or physical materials) to assemble the interactive guide.

3. Incorporate interactive elements such as quizzes, pop-up facts, and games.

4. Present the interactive guide to the class or a wider audience.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA completed interactive guide showcasing how Polish animals prepare for autumn.

Alignment

Activity 5

Autumn Animal Observation Log

Students begin by observing local animals and their behaviors during the early autumn season. This activity sets the stage for understanding real-world animal adaptations.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Take a nature walk in a local park or green space.

2. Observe animals and their behaviors, noting what they are doing to prepare for autumn (e.g., squirrels gathering nuts, birds migrating).

3. Record observations in a notebook or observation sheet, including drawings and descriptions of the animals and their actions.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed observation log with drawings and descriptions of animal behaviors in autumn.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to identify which animals in Poland prepare for autumn, and what specific actions they take.

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Autumn Animal Interactive Guide Rubric

Category 1

Content Knowledge

Understanding of animal adaptations, autumn weather conditions, and animal behaviors in Poland.

Criterion 1

Accuracy of Information

The extent to which the information presented about Polish animals and their autumn adaptations is accurate and based on research.

Exemplary

4 Points

Presents comprehensive and accurate information about multiple Polish animals and their autumn adaptations, demonstrating thorough research and understanding.

Proficient

3 Points

Presents mostly accurate information about Polish animals and their autumn adaptations, demonstrating sufficient research and understanding.

Developing

2 Points

Presents some accurate information, but contains gaps or minor inaccuracies in the description of Polish animals and their autumn adaptations.

Beginning

1 Points

Presents limited or inaccurate information about Polish animals and their autumn adaptations, indicating a lack of research and understanding.

Criterion 2

Understanding of Weather Impact

Demonstrates an understanding of how autumn weather conditions affect Polish animals.

Exemplary

4 Points

Clearly and thoroughly explains how specific autumn weather conditions in Poland affect animal behaviors and adaptations, providing detailed examples.

Proficient

3 Points

Explains how autumn weather conditions in Poland affect animal behaviors and adaptations, providing clear examples.

Developing

2 Points

Describes how autumn weather conditions in Poland affect animal behaviors and adaptations, but the explanation lacks detail or clarity.

Beginning

1 Points

Provides a limited or unclear explanation of how autumn weather conditions in Poland affect animal behaviors and adaptations.

Category 2

Interactive Guide Design

Effectiveness and creativity of the interactive guide in engaging the audience and presenting information.

Criterion 1

Engagement and Interactivity

The extent to which the interactive guide includes engaging elements such as quizzes, pop-up facts, games, and clear instructions.

Exemplary

4 Points

The interactive guide is highly engaging and includes a variety of well-integrated interactive elements that enhance learning and maintain audience interest.

Proficient

3 Points

The interactive guide includes several engaging interactive elements that enhance learning and maintain audience interest.

Developing

2 Points

The interactive guide includes some interactive elements, but they are not consistently engaging or well-integrated into the content.

Beginning

1 Points

The interactive guide lacks engaging interactive elements and does not effectively maintain audience interest.

Criterion 2

Clarity and Organization

How clearly and logically the information is presented in the interactive guide.

Exemplary

4 Points

Information is presented in a clear, logical, and visually appealing manner, making it easy for the audience to understand and navigate the guide.

Proficient

3 Points

Information is presented in a clear and logical manner, making it easy for the audience to understand and navigate the guide.

Developing

2 Points

Information is presented in a somewhat organized manner, but there are areas where clarity and logical flow could be improved.

Beginning

1 Points

Information is presented in a disorganized or unclear manner, making it difficult for the audience to understand and navigate the guide.

Criterion 3

Visual Appeal

The overall visual design and attractiveness of the interactive guide.

Exemplary

4 Points

The interactive guide has a professional and visually appealing design that enhances the overall learning experience.

Proficient

3 Points

The interactive guide is visually appealing and enhances the overall learning experience.

Developing

2 Points

The interactive guide's visuals are adequate, but there is room for improvement in terms of design and appeal.

Beginning

1 Points

The interactive guide lacks visual appeal and detracts from the overall learning experience.

Category 3

Research and Collaboration

Demonstrates effective research skills and collaboration in gathering and presenting information.

Criterion 1

Use of Resources

The extent to which students effectively use a variety of resources to gather information about Polish animals and autumn adaptations.

Exemplary

4 Points

Demonstrates excellent use of a variety of reliable resources to gather comprehensive information about Polish animals and autumn adaptations.

Proficient

3 Points

Demonstrates effective use of resources to gather information about Polish animals and autumn adaptations.

Developing

2 Points

Demonstrates some use of resources, but could benefit from exploring a wider range of sources to gather information about Polish animals and autumn adaptations.

Beginning

1 Points

Demonstrates limited or ineffective use of resources to gather information about Polish animals and autumn adaptations.

Criterion 2

Collaboration (If Applicable)

Effectiveness of collaboration among group members in the research and creation of the interactive guide.

Exemplary

4 Points

Collaborates effectively with group members, demonstrating strong teamwork and shared responsibility in the research and creation of the interactive guide.

Proficient

3 Points

Collaborates effectively with group members in the research and creation of the interactive guide.

Developing

2 Points

Participates in collaboration, but there are areas where teamwork and shared responsibility could be improved.

Beginning

1 Points

Demonstrates limited participation in collaboration or struggles to work effectively with group members.

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 how Polish animals prepare for autumn?

Text

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Question 2

How well do you think your interactive guide will teach others about animal adaptations?

Scale

Required

Question 3

If you could add one more element to your interactive guide, what would it be and why?

Text

Required

Question 4

Which part of the interactive guide creation process did you find the most challenging?

Multiple choice

Required

Options

Research

Design

Assembly

Presentation

Question 5

How did the 'Animal Autumn Games' entry event help you understand the topic better?

Text

Required