Critter Construction: Animal Homes Project
Created bySusan Mooney
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Critter Construction: Animal Homes Project

Grade 1Science5 days
★★★★★
5.0 (1 rating)
In the Critter Construction: Animal Homes Project, first graders explore the concept of animal habitats and the adaptations animals use to create shelters suitable for survival in their environments. Through engaging activities such as virtual reality tours and hands-on model building, students investigate the materials animals select for shelter construction and how these choices relate to their environmental needs. The project culminates with students designing and presenting a model of an animal shelter, showcasing their knowledge of adaptations and material properties. This experience enhances their understanding of the critical role habitats play in animal survival and promotes creative problem-solving skills.
Animal HabitatsAdaptationsMaterial SelectionEnvironmental NeedsModel BuildingCreative Problem-Solving
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design and build models of animal shelters that demonstrate how different animals use unique adaptations and materials to create homes suited to their environments?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What is a habitat and why is it important for animals?
  • How do animals adapt their shelters to their environments?
  • What materials do animals use to build their homes, and why do they choose those materials?
  • In what ways do animal homes provide protection?
  • How can we model the unique features of animal shelters in our constructions?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will understand what habitats are and their importance to animals.
  • Students will learn how different animals adapt their shelters to their environments.
  • Students will identify materials used by animals to build homes and explain the reasons for these choices.
  • Students will explore how animal homes provide protection.
  • Students will apply knowledge of animal adaptations to design and build models of animal shelters.

NGSS: Next Generation Science Standards

K-LS1-1
Primary
Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.Reason: This standard aligns with understanding animal needs and adaptations, which is integral to how they choose materials and shape their shelters.
1-LS1-2
Primary
Read texts and use media to determine patterns in behavior of parents and offspring that help offspring survive.Reason: Understanding animal behavior related to survival connects to how animals build shelters that protect them and their offspring.
1-LS3-1
Supporting
Make observations to construct an evidence-based account that young plants and animals are like, but not exactly like, their parents.Reason: This standard supports understanding how animal homes may differ or be similar based on adaptations from their parents.
1-PS4-1
Supporting
Plan and conduct investigations to provide evidence that vibrating materials can make sound and that sound can make materials vibrate.Reason: Though not directly related, this standard can support understanding how animal communications might influence shelter design.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Mystery Animal Arrival

A mysterious 'animal' package is delivered to the classroom containing 'evidence' of animal life such as fur, feathers, or footprints. Students must use their inferencing skills to determine what animal it could belong to, encouraging them to think about shelter needs and adaptations.

Habitat Construction Challenge

Presenting a challenge scenario where a new zoo exhibit requires student-designed animal habitats. This entry event invites students to use their creativity and problem-solving skills to build a model that will best suit the needs of the featured animal, emphasizing adaptation and environmental factors.

Virtual Reality Habitat Tour

Students are immediately immersed in a virtual reality experience exploring different animal habitats. They will explore various animal homes around the world, sparking curiosity about how different creatures have adapted their shelters to survive in diverse environments.
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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 Helpers

In this activity, students explore diverse animal habitats and determine how certain behaviors and adaptations help animals survive. The focus is on understanding why and how animals construct their homes to fit their environments.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Participate in a virtual reality tour of different animal habitats, taking notes on the features of each.
2. Discuss as a class which features of the habitats are essential for animal survival and why.
3. Select one animal from the habitat to research further, focusing on how it adapts its shelter to its environment.
4. Create a poster highlighting the selected animal, its habitat, and the unique adaptations of its shelter.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA poster presentation detailing an animal's habitat and the adaptations of its shelter to the environment.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports 1-LS1-2, as students read texts and use media to determine patterns in animal behavior aiding survival.
Activity 2

Material Masters

Students learn about the various materials animals use to build shelters and why they choose these specific materials. They investigate which materials provide protection and support survival through hands-on experiments.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Collect a variety of natural materials such as leaves, twigs, and stones.
2. Conduct tests on the gathered materials to evaluate their suitability for shelter building in terms of strength, waterproofing, and insulation.
3. Record observations and results in a science journal, analyzing which materials best support animal survival.
4. Select an animal and design a theoretical model of its shelter using the best-suited materials identified.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA science journal entry recording findings about material properties and a theoretical shelter design for a chosen animal.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCorresponds with 1-LS3-1 as students observe and account for similarities/differences in materials used by different animals and their parents.
Activity 3

Shelter Showcase

For the culminating project, students use their acquired knowledge to design and build a physical model of an animal shelter. They will demonstrate understanding of animal adaptations and material choices.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Review previous lessons on animal habitats, adaptations, and materials.
2. Sketch a design plan for the animal shelter including detailed notes on adaptation features.
3. Gather materials and begin construction of the model shelter.
4. Present the completed model to the class, explaining how it represents the animal's adaptations and environmental needs.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA physical model of an animal shelter with a presentation demonstrating the animal’s adaptations and survival strategies.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsFully aligns with 1-LS1-2 as the project reflects understanding of how adaptations aid survival, and with K-LS1-1 as it involves using observations to model animal shelter needs.
Activity 4

Animal Detectives

Students assume the role of animal detectives to investigate and identify the mystery animal delivered to the classroom. This activity helps them connect evidence of animal life to potential shelter needs and adaptations.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Examine the contents of the mysterious animal package, noting details like fur, feathers, or footprints.
2. Discuss with classmates what animal characteristics can be inferred from the evidence provided.
3. Research different animal species that correspond to the evidence found in the package.
4. Present findings to the class and hypothesize about the habitat and shelter needs of the identified animal.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA class presentation hypothesizing the identity of the mystery animal and its potential shelter needs.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with standard K-LS1-1 as students use observations to describe patterns in animal needs and adaptations for survival.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Critter Construction Project Evaluation Rubric

Category 1

Understanding of Animal Habitats and Adaptations

This category evaluates students' grasp of the fundamental concepts related to animal habitats and the adaptations that assist in their survival.
Criterion 1

Habitat Comprehension

Assessing students' understanding of animal habitats and their importance for survival.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of habitats and clearly explains their role in animal survival using detailed examples.

Proficient
3 Points

Shows thorough understanding of habitats and their importance, providing clear examples.

Developing
2 Points

Shows emerging understanding with some unclear connections between habitats and survival.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows initial understanding with limited connection between habitats and their importance for survival.

Criterion 2

Adaptations Insight

Evaluating the understanding of animal adaptations and their application to shelters.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides an in-depth exploration of animal adaptations and effectively links them to shelter functions.

Proficient
3 Points

Shows clear understanding of adaptations with apt connections to animal shelters.

Developing
2 Points

Shows basic comprehension of adaptations with inconsistent connections to shelters.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to identify adaptations and connect them to shelter use.

Category 2

Material Selection and Usage

This category focuses on the selection, evaluation, and application of materials in constructing animal shelter models.
Criterion 1

Material Testing and Analysis

Assessing the method and insight applied when testing and choosing suitable materials.

Exemplary
4 Points

Conducts insightful analysis and exhibits exceptional understanding of material suitability through testing.

Proficient
3 Points

Performs thorough analysis with clear understanding and application in material selection.

Developing
2 Points

Shows basic analysis with some understanding and application inconsistencies.

Beginning
1 Points

Lacks analytical insight and struggles with material selection.

Criterion 2

Creative Application of Materials

Evaluating creativity and appropriateness in selecting and using materials for shelter models.

Exemplary
4 Points

Innovatively applies materials, demonstrating creative problem-solving and suitability.

Proficient
3 Points

Applies materials appropriately and shows creative thinking.

Developing
2 Points

Shows attempt at creativity but lacks complete suitability in material choice.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to apply materials creatively and appropriately.

Category 3

Presentation and Communication

This category examines students' ability to effectively communicate their ideas and outcomes in both written and verbal formats.
Criterion 1

Clarity of Presentation

Evaluating how clearly and effectively students present their models and explain their choices.

Exemplary
4 Points

Delivers a clear and engaging presentation with thorough explanations and creative insights.

Proficient
3 Points

Presents ideas clearly with logical explanations and creative insights.

Developing
2 Points

Presentation lacks clarity in some parts, with basic explanations and insights.

Beginning
1 Points

Presentation is unclear, with minimal explanation of processes and insights.

Reflection Prompts

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

Reflect on your experience designing and building models of animal shelters. What did you learn about how animals adapt their homes to their environments?

Text
Required
Question 2

On a scale of 1 to 5, how much do you think your project demonstrated an understanding of animal adaptations?

Scale
Optional
Question 3

Which materials did you find were the most effective for building the animal shelters and why?

Multiple choice
Optional
Options
Leaves
Twigs
Stones
Other natural materials
Question 4

Reflect on the challenges you faced during the Shelter Showcase project and how you overcame them.

Text
Optional
Question 5

How has your understanding of animal habitats and shelters evolved throughout this project?

Text
Required