K5 Science Endorsement GPS Lesson Plan

Title Vertical Lesson 2

Teacher(s) Kimberly McCreary
E-mail Kimberly.mccreary@cobbk12.org
School Pickett’s Mill ES
Lesson Title Animals!
Grade Level K, 1st, 3rd Concepts(s) Animal Needs and Animal
Targeted Characteristics
Performance Expectation – Describe and group different types of animals; science
engineering practice - design a zoo enclosure to help animals get their basic needs; take into
account pollution and effects of humans on the ability of animals to get their basic needs met

Science & Engineering Disciplinary Core Ideas Crosscutting Concept

Practice (Content)
1. Asking questions See Georgia Performance 1. Cause and effect
2. Developing and using models 2. Patterns
3.Analyze and interpret data Standards below 3. Structure and Function
4. Design solutions

Georgia Performance Standards – Kindergarten:SKL1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate

information about how organisms (alive and not alive) and non-living objects are grouped. a. Construct an
explanation based on observations to recognize the differences between organisms and nonliving objects. b.
Develop a model to represent how a set of organisms and nonliving objects are sorted into groups based on their
attributes.

First Grade:S1L1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the basic needs of plants and animals. a.
Develop models to identify the parts of a plant—root, stem, leaf, and flower. b. Ask questions to compare and
contrast the basic needs of plants (air, water, light, and nutrients) and animals (air, water, food, and shelter). c.
Design a solution to ensure that a plant or animal has all of its needs met.

Third Grade:S3L2. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the effects of pollution (air, land, and
water) and humans on the environment. a. Ask questions to collect information and create records of sources and
effects of pollution on the plants and animals. b. Explore, research, and communicate solutions, such as
conservation of resources and recycling of materials, to protect plants and animals.

Safety Considerations – Working with recycled materials for Design Challenge

The Learning Plan:

ENGAGE: Phenomena – show picture of animals and have students name each animal

EXPLORE: STEM Challenge: The Atlanta Zoo is looking to help animals that are struggling to survive in
their environment. Choose an animal that is endangered due to pollution or the effect of humans, and build a
zoo habitat for that animal to help it thrive for a new exhibit at the Zoo.

Brainstorm individually and with your STEM group to come up with possible solutions for this challenge. Each
group will have a laptop computer to research on PebbleGo Animals. They will decide on an animal, determine
what group the animal fits into (bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, mammal, etc.), list the characteristics of the animal,
and then brainstorm the things that must be present in the animal’s new habitat at the zoo.

Then: Work with team to build the exhibit using the available materials that your group chooses. Label the ways
the basic needs are met.

EXPLAIN: Students will present their new zoo habitat to the class. Kindergarten group members
will describe the animals and tell what animal group it belongs in. First graders will present the
basic needs that must be met in the new habitat, and 3rd graders will present the ways that
pollution or human impact has affected the animal in its natural habitat and how the new zoo
habitat will help solve those problems.

EXTEND: Students will reflect on their project and come up with ways to make it better.

EVALUATE: Rubric for Completion of the STEM challenge

Title of the Lesson:
Lesson Logistics/Materials: Students will be placed in STEM teams with 1-2 students from K, 1,
and 3 in each group

Materials: craft sticks, recycled materials, pipe cleaners, paper, tape, branches and leaves from
outside

Opening/Hook/Initial Focus: Show students pictures of different animals, and their habitat
(provide some pictures with effects of pollution or human impact on the animals habitat).

Closing: Show video clip a STEM career connected to this challenge