Project Description
In this nine week unit of study, students are studying animals to learn how they behave and care for one another within their communities. This project was inspired by the New Generation Science Standard (NGSS) about Social Interactions and Group Behavior: How do organisms interact in groups so as to benefit individuals?
Students will research a variety of animal communities through fieldwork, experts, non-fiction texts and online resources. Then, we will take what we have learned about animals and apply it to our own class and school community. Students will use their knowledge of animal behaviors in communities to create school wide norms.
Students will research a variety of animal communities through fieldwork, experts, non-fiction texts and online resources. Then, we will take what we have learned about animals and apply it to our own class and school community. Students will use their knowledge of animal behaviors in communities to create school wide norms.
LS2.D: SOCIAL INTERACTIONS AND GROUP BEHAVIOR |
Essential Questions
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Fieldwork
Students had two opportunities to go into the field to gather research about a variety of animal communities.
In Class Research Opportunities
Final Products
Throughout the project, students will be working towards creating these three final products:
Informational Texts
Individually, students will write informative paragraphs connecting research on animal communities and how it can apply to our classroom culture. |
School Norm Banners
In small groups, students will establish one school norm based off of a researched animal behavior and data collection within our school. They will design a banner that is signed by the school and hung throughout the halls. |
Moving Fish Art Installation
All three 2nd grade classes will work together to co-create a moving fish art installation. Through their exploratory classes (Science, Art, and Engineering), the students are learning either about the anatomy of fish, how to texturize, design, and paint fish from clay slabs, or create a gear system that will move the art installation in an organized way. Students will then be grouped across the three classes to share their knowledge from their respective exploratory classes and work together to create this art piece that will also be displayed in the school. |