As each animal unit begins, characteristics, eating habits and habitats are defined for the animals of study. Beginning with the most familiar animals, pets, the children are encouraged to describe the specific characteristics for each pet as it is introduced. Habitat is established through thorough reading and investigation of the animal’s characteristics. Charts are completed displaying each animal’s food, space and health requirements. The children then culminate the pet study by determining which pet would be best suited for the classroom environment. Further investigation of the space, temperature conditions, and availability of care by the children in the classroom will be documented and related to the pet charts. A classroom pet is then chosen and an area is prepared for the new edition to the classroom. Items that may be hazardous to the pet are removed from the classroom or placed in another area of the classroom away from the pet’s living area. The new environment created will fulfill as many of the pet’s habitat requirements as possible, without hindering the learning environment for the students. A student-made book entitled “Pets” will be published by the children containing all the information gathered during the classroom pet study. “Pets” will then be added to the classroom library for future reference.
Objective:
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To create a Pet Information Book using class-collected facts and photographs from previous lessons and activities.
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Materials:
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Color photographs of a variety of pets
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Computer//Color Scanner//Color Printer
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Scanning Software//hot/cold laminating film//scissors
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laminating machine//oak tag/construction paper//glue stick
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book binding machine and spines or hole punch and yarn
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copies of Pet Information Worksheetmarker/crayons
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Fact books and class-made fact charts/diagrams from previous lessons
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Preparation:
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Using a scanner, scan each pet photograph.
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Reduce each image to 2” wide by 2” high (approximately), cropping if necessary.
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Save reduced image, name each image for the name of the pet scanned.
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Print each pet image, in color, on oak tag, white construction paper or white 8.5” x 11” copy paper.
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Copy one Pet Information Worksheet for each scanned image on oak tag, colored construction paper or white 8.5” x 11” copy paper.
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Glue one scanned pet image onto each Pet Information Worksheet.
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(Glue Pet Information Worksheet onto oak tag or colored construction paper if it is copied onto white 8.5” x 11” copy paper).
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Ask the students to complete the Pet Information Worksheets using the class-made charts, diagrams and reading material available to them as a whole class activity, a small group or cooperative activity, or as an individual assignment (whichever method your students are most comfortable).
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Hot/Cold laminate each completed Pet Information Worksheet.
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Pet Information Worksheet on following page.