Ecology+Investigators

"Ecology Investigators" 5th Grade
Sandra Moore & Rachel Woodman, Sierra Vista Unified School District

Essential Question - Why do we care?
 Language** Strand 3: Writing Applications Concept 6: Research PO 1. Paraphrase information from a variety of sources (e.g., Internet,reference materials).(SeeR05-S3C1-04,05,06
 * Academic Standards:

TSW use the internet and other resources to answer the following questions: What is the species? What are the characteristics of the animal? What is its habitat (food, water, space, shelter, and arrangement)? Why is it threatened or endangered? What is being done to protect this animal? What can we do?

**21st Century Skills** • Communication Skills—Understanding, managing, and creating effective oral, written, and multimedia communication in a variety of forms and contexts • Creativity and Intellectual Curiosity—Developing, implementing, and communicating new ideas to others; staying open and responsive to new and diverse perspectives • Critical Thinking and Systems Thinking—Exercising sound reasoning in understanding and making complex choices; understanding the interconnections among systems • Information and Media Literacy Skills—Analyzing, accessing, managing, integrating, evaluating, and creating information in a variety of forms and media • Interpersonal and Collaborative Skills—Demonstrating teamwork and leadership; adapting to varied roles and responsibilities; working productively with others; exercising empathy; respecting diverse perspectives • Problem Identification, Formulation, and Solution—Ability to frame, analyze, and solve problems • Social Responsibility—Acting responsibly with the interests of the larger community in mind; demonstrating ethical behavior in personal, workplace, and community contexts

**Student Directions:** Go to at least three (3) of the listed web resources to answer these questions about the animal you have chosen to study (Use the Research Form provided to be sure to collect required bibliographic information):
 * 1) What is the Species?
 * 2) What are the characteristics of the animal?
 * 3) What is its habitat (food, water, space, shelter, arrangement)?
 * 4) Why is it threatened or endangered?
 * 5) What is being done to protect this animal?
 * 6) What can we do?


 * Web Resources:**
 * @http://www.worldwildlife.org/home.html
 * @http://www.biodiversityhotspots.org/Pages/default.aspx
 * @http://www.fws.gov/Endangered/
 * @http://www.earthsendangered.com/
 * @http://www.iucn.org/what/biodiversity
 * http://www.defenders.org
 * @http://www.conservation.org/Pages/default.aspx
 * @http://www.traffic.org