Amazing Alaskan Animals
HOW IT WORKS
In this program, children are immersed in a study of Alaska that
focuses on animals and their adaptation to the environment. They
learn note-taking skills while listening to nonfiction books about
Alaska. A shared reading of realistic fiction about sled dogs (Silver by
Gloria Whelan) motivates them to view the Iditarod.com website and
follow the mushers through the Iditarod Race in March. Meanwhile,
pairs of children choose an Alaskan animal to learn more about, with
the focus on how these animals adapt to their unusual environment.
Children use the computers and search engines like Yahooligans! to
gather information about their animal and are taught, in a series of
mini-lessons, how to write a simple research report. They are
introduced to the following categories for which they need to find
information: diet (what the animal eats and what eats it), life cycle, and
adaptation (how it looks and special features). Using a T chart,
children are taught to list their facts and then list a thought related to
each fact. This helps them with their reading skills by making them
think deeply about what they are writing. In additional mini-lessons,
children are taught to categorize and bullet their notes, write a first
draft, and eventually conclude with a final draft. The children work in
pairs to gather and share information but final drafts are individually
written. Each student also draws a large picture of his/her animal,
which, along with the research information, is part of a class “big
book” that is the culmination of their work.
THE STUDENTS
Amazing Alaskan Animals was introduced to a third-grade class
consisting of 21 heterogeneously grouped children who are average
to low average in ability and academic achievement. They work on
this project approximately three times a week for about eight weeks.
This program is highly adaptable to other ages and achievement
levels and can be used with smaller or larger groups. Children work at
their own levels and feel successful in the process.
THE STAFF
Ada Marcus has been a NYC teacher for 19 years and has presented
this project, in various forms, for at least five years. She has received
two Adaptor Grants, two Newsday Futurecorps Grants, a NYFA Music
Grant, and a Teacher’s Consortium Grant. She has also written
curriculum and presented at an Administrator’s Workshop for the
Applied Learning Guide for New York City. She worked with an art
teacher on this program, but depending on individual expertise, the
program can be done without assistance.
WHAT YOU NEED
To successfully complete this program, you will need some basic art
supplies (butcher paper, oak tag, tempera paints, Craypas, scissors,
and glue). In addition, you need access to computers and the Internet.
Grolier’s software is helpful but not essential. You will need fiction and
nonfiction library books about Alaska. Lesson plans, mini-lessons,
and book lists are available.
OVERALL VALUE
This is an interdisciplinary program that involves many
skills--reading, writing, listening, speaking, group work and
cooperation, research, and using technology. The culminating
“big book” is presented to the school library and gives the children a
sense of pride and accomplishment. Children are learning and
immersed in the environment, and they are eager to learn more. |