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K - Act. 25: Animal Growth Journal

Summary

Students will use their prediction, observation, and recording skills to learn about animal growth.


Materials

Attachments

Websites

  • InsectLore
    Habitat and Discovery Kit, 1-800-LIVE BUG

One per class:

  • animal growth / sponge capsule
  • container for animal growth capsule
  • water
  • various tools for nonstandard measurement (paper clips, crayons, etc.)

One per student:

  • "Animal Growth Journal" handout
  • pencil
  • crayons
Additional Resources

Becoming Butterflies by Anne Rockwell
Instant Insects (capsules), Wal-Mart


Background for Teachers

Select books about animals in your environment. These books should include information about animal growth. The students should also have knowledge of how to use nonstandard measurement tools.


Intended Learning Outcomes

Intended Learning Outcomes
5. Understand and use basic concepts and skills.
6. Communicate clearly in oral, artistic, written and nonverbal form.

Process Skills
Description, observation, prediction, data collection and interpretation


Instructional Procedures

Invitation to Learn
Ask the students to recall information about different animals that they have seen. Share information about the growth of animals. Read and discuss your favorite books on how animals grow.

Instructional Procedures

  1. Show the class the animal growth capsule. Have the class predict how long it will take the capsule to grow to its full size. Predict how big the "animal" will be at the end of the cycle.
  2. Place the capsule in the water container and observe the capsule.
  3. Have students record their observations in their Animal Growth Journal. They may include the starting day/time of the observation. A nonstandard measurement may also be taken during the initial observation.
  4. Return to the water container an hour later. Observe and record changes in the Animal Growth Journal. Discuss the changes that are evident.
  5. Observe the animal growth capsule after another hour. Observe and record observations in the Animal Growth Journal. Measure and note the changes that have happened.
  6. Have a class discussion about what has happened during the various stages of observation. Ask the students if their predictions for the animal's growth were accurate.


Extensions

Family Connections
Each child should go home and invite their family to help them look around their neighborhood for animals in various stages of development in their environment. Bring your written descriptions back to class and discuss what was learned.


Assessment Plan

Attachments

Give each child a copy of the animal growth assessment page. Each child may choose an animal of their choice and draw the changes that happen during the life cycle of the animal. Each child may share their findings with other members of the class.


Created: 08/07/2003
Updated: 10/31/2022
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