Pathfinder for Old Dominion University

1. Pathfinder:
Life Processes of Animals
By: Jacquelyn McGuire-Day

2. Life Processes of Animals
We have been learning about the life cycles of animals
and how they change as they mature and grow. Now
you choose an animal to research and learn about its
life cycle, basic needs, and physical characteristics.

3. Step 1:
Which animal do I want to research?
Great choice!
Now get your graphic organizer.

4. Step 2:
Where can I find books about my animal?
• Try looking at the nonfiction books in our library.
• Search the catalog to find books about your animal.
Type your chosen
animal in the search
box and click subject.
Great work!

5. Step 3:
Now let’s look for ebooks and audiobooks about
your animal.
• Search the online catalog.
Change the material to ebook.
Then, change the material to
sound recording (nonmusical).
Awesome!

6. Nonfiction books:
599.78 PET
Bears
597.8 WAT
Frog
599.757
Lions
597.96 GUN
The best book of snakes
599.65 TOW
Deer
599.53 STA
Dolphins

7. Step 4:
Now let’s look at online resources.
• Choose 1 of the databases to find out more information about your
animal.
• Remember to search using your chosen animal.
You are doing great!

8. Step 5:
Check to see what books and resources the
public library carries.
You did it!

9. Step 6:
Time to put it all together.
Share what you have learned with your teacher and
classmates!

10. Target level: 2nd grade
Virginia Standards of Learning Objectives:
English 2.9 – The student will demonstrate comprehension of nonfiction texts.
• E) The student will ask and answer questions about what is read.
• F) The student will locate information to answer questions.
English 2.10 – The student will demonstration comprehension of information in reference materials.
Science 2.4 – The student will investigate and understand that animals undergo a series of orderly changes
as they mature and grow.
AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner:
1.1.4 Find, evaluate, and select appropriate answers to questions.
1.1.6 Read, view and listen for information presented in any format (e.g., textual, visual, media, digital) in
order to make inferences and gather meaning.

11. References
American Association of School Librarians. (2015). Standards for the 21st century learner.
Retrieved from
http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/guidelinesandstandards/
learningstandards/AASL_LearningStandards.pdf
Virginia Department of Education. (2010). Standards of learning. Retrieved from
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/index.shtml