Introduction

You will use your prior knowledge and several primary sources to:

• collect and record information about one animal.
• use your information to compare your animal with a partner's.
• write a response about how your animal is special, able to survive in its natural environment and why it should be protected.

The Process

First:

Choose an animal and find information.

• choose your destination and animal of study by going to Enchanted Learning
• type in animals listed by continent and choose one animal of focus
•  print animal information sheet and chart information

Next:

Find more information. 

• go to Kid Port
• click on Grade 2 then Reference Library
• go to Science and/or Reference Link
• explore 
• record additional information on your chart

Then:

Use your information.

• take turns discussing  your animal with your partner
• work with your partner to complete a Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting your animals

Respond to your research.

• use a Links Template to write a response paragraph explaining what makes  your animal special, how it is able to survive in its natural habitat and why it should be protected.

Evaluation

Your journey will  be evaluated using the following rubric. 

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score
Organization	Few  directions were followed. Work is incomplete.	Some directions were followed.  Work is partly complete.	Most directions were followed. Work is mostly complete.	All directions were followed completely. Work is  complete.
Collection Project	Shows little understanding. Chart is incomplete and/or inaccurate.	Shows some understanding. Chart is partly complete.	Shows good understanding. Chart is mostly complete.	Shows excellent understanding. Chart is complete.
Cooperative Work with Partner	Students had had little success taking turns in the discussion. Diagram includes less that 1 or 2 ideas in each category.	Students were fairly successful taking turns in the discussion. Diagram includes at least 2 clear ideas in 2 categories and 2 in the other.	Students were successful taking turns in discussion. Diagram includes at least 3 clear ideas in 2 categories and 2 in the other.	Students were very successful taking turns in discussion. Diagram includes 3 strong ideas in each category.
Written Content	Work is mostly unrelated to the topic and ideas are unclear and/or not developed.	Work is partly related to the topic and ideas are somewhat developed.	Work is mostly related to  the topic and ideas are developed.	Work is clear, related to the topic and well developed.
Writing Mechanics	Writing grammar, usage and spelling contain many errors that interfere with meaning.	Writing grammar usage and spelling contain many errors and somewhat interfere with meaning.	Writing grammar usage and spelling  are mostly correct and do not interfere with meaning.	Writing grammar usage and spelling contain few if any errors. Meaning is clear.

Conclusion

Your investigation is complete!  Congratulations on a job well done.  You are now an expert on a real and unique animal that lives somewhere in our world.  Share what you've learned with someone.  Be sure to tell them why it is important to protect that species and its natural environment. 
Do you think your animal is the most interesting or unusual? 
Do you want to learn more? 
You could:

• interview another expert
• find a related book at the Library
• check in Encarta
• reuse the process to investigate a new or related animal

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Credits & References

Resources utilized
for research:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com
http://www.kidport.com
Debra Barrett :)
for clip art:
http://school.discovery.com/clipart