Tasks

**﻿Teacher Name:** Shelly Carius **Grade:** 2nd **Unit:** Animals Grow and Change **Lesson Topic:** What are some animal life cycles? Students will learn the life cycle of three different animals, a bird, an amphibian, and an insect. The students will play the role of state park rangers who are presenting information to a second grade class on a field trip. Each group member must research a different animal's life cycle and prepare a diagram of the life cycle using Kidspiration and an oral report on the animal's life cycle. The students will watch a short video on BrainPop.com about animal life cycles and the difference between complete and incomplete metamorphosis. For the culminating activity the group will complete a Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting the life cycles of the three animals.

**Applications:** Kidspiration and BrainPop

**Anticipatory Set/Building Background**: ﻿The lesson will begin with showing students a live caterpillar in a jar. The teacher will ask the students what they know about caterpillars. The teacher will lead the discussion and bring out the students knowledge of catepillars and their life cycle. Elicit from the students the fact that some animals like caterpillars go through metamorphosis and other animals do not. This discussion should pique the interest of the students concerning animal life cycles. The teacher will then show picture cards of each type of life cycle as <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">discussed and then read the book Life Cycles of a Dozen Diverse Creatures. The students will then watch the short video on <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">BrainPop.com about metamorphosis. Tell the students that they are going to be working in small groups to investigate the life cycles of <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">different animals.

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The students will identify the similarities and differences of each animal's life cycle presented. The class as a whole will then complete a <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">K-W-L chart about the life cycles of animals. The students will be divided into groups of three and will receive the hand out, Animal Life Cycles. <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The students will read and discuss the performance task scenario. Students in each group will decide which role they will play, entomologist, <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">ornithologist, or herpetologist. Students will then be given the criteria for the Kidspiration life cycle map, the oral report, and the rubric that <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">will be used for evaluation.

**1.** Divide students into groups and decide which role they will play, entomoligist (insects), ornithologist (birds),or herpetologist (amphibians & reptiles). Students will be given the criteria for the Kidspiration life cycle map, oral report, and the rubric. Students will watch the BrainPop video. Teacher will guide students to ensure accurate content, correct english usage, correct spelling, and pictures of the various stages of the life cycle for their map. Students will choose an appropriate animal and begin to research (students may pair up with like animals to be researched). Students will use the //Life Cycle of a...// worksheet to write notes about the life cycle of the animal. This worksheet can be used later to help students complete their life cycle map. Students will complete a life cycle map using Kidspirations including pictures and labels of the appropriate life cycle. **2.** As a culminating activity, students will make a Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting the life cycles of an insect, an amphibian, and a bird. They will work in groups of three (one person representing each type of animal). Students have prior knowledge and experience in completing Venn Diagrams. 2. The learner will listen critically and respond appropriately to oral communication. **2.** The student will speak in a manner that guides the listener to understand important facts by using proper phrasing, pitch, and modulation.
 * Content Objectives: **
 * 1. ** The learner will describe the life cycle of an animal
 * 2. ** The learner will compare and contrast the life cycle of three animals
 * Relevant Activities: **
 * Language Arts Objectives: **
 * 1. ** The learner will demonstrate standard english structure and usage in oral and written presentations as well as use correct spelling
 * Relevant Activities: **
 * 1. ** Teacher will assist and guide students to ensure correct english usage and correct spelling. Students will correctly label their life cycle map and write their oral report. Students will deliver their oral report to their second grade class pretending to be park rangers providing information for students on a field trip.

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; overflow: hidden;">Continue to Interactions