2. Third Grade Language Standards
W.3.2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a
topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
W.3.2b. Develop the topic with facts, definitions, and
details.
W.3.7. Conduct short research topics that build knowledge
about a topic.
3. Third Grade Science Standards
3.L.1.2. Students are able to identify characteristic
features of animals and their related functions in relation
to their environment.
3.L.2.1. Students are able to explain how animals
instinctively meet basic needs in their environment.
4. Third Grade ISTE Standards
1.b. Create original works as a means of personal or group expression.
2.a. Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others
employing a variety of digital environments and media.
2.b. Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple
audiences using a variety of media and formats.
3.b. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use
information from a variety of sources and media.
5.a. Advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of
information and technology.
6.c. Troubleshoot systems and applications.
6.d. Transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies.
5. Students will work in groups of
two or three to complete the
assignment.
The teacher will pair the students
based on their academics, ability
to work with others, and their
technology skills.
Cooperative Learning Groups
6. Teacher Materials
Copies of student rubric
List of online resources
Student laptops
Project guidelines
List of student groups
Sample Popplet
7. Student Resources and Materials
search.creativecommons.org
Students will go to the South Dakota State Library
webpage to access the following online resources
World Book Kids
World Book Student
SIRS Discoverer
Student Materials
1. computer, rubric, notebook, pencil, checklist
of required information.
8. Learning Outcomes
Students will create a concept map with the information they collect
on the website www.popplet.com .
Students will work in groups to research an animal of their choice.
Students will cite all sources used.
Students will collect the following information:
Animal’s name
Animal’s physical characteristics
Animal’s habitat
Animal’s diet
Interesting facts
Images
9. Description of final assignment
The final project will be completed on www.popplet.com
The required elements will include:
The animal’s name
Three details about the animal’s physical appearance
A minimum of one image of the animal from the creative
commons website
Three details about the animal’s habitat
Three details about the animal’s diet
Three interesting facts about the animal
10. Instructional Procedures
Day one
Introduce the animal research project to the students.
Put students in pre-assigned groups
Give students time to choose an animal for their topic
11. Instructional Procedures continued
Day two
Students will research their animal’s physical appearance
using the provided technology resources.
Students will record a minimum of three facts they
learned about their animal’s physical appearance.
12. Instructional Procedures continued
Day three
Students will research their animal’s habitat using the
provided technology resources.
Students will record a minimum of three facts they
learned about their animal’s habitat.
13. Instructional Procedures continued
Day four
Students will research their animal’s diet using the
provided technology resources.
Students will record a minimum of three facts they
learned about their animal’s diet.
14. Instructional Procedures continued
Day five
Students will research their animal to find interesting
facts using the provided technology resources.
Students will record a minimum of three interesting facts
they learned about their animal.
15. Instructional Procedures continued
Days 6 and 7
Students will use the information they gathered to create
a Popplet.
A sample Popplet can be viewed at
popplet.com/app/#/1758646
16. Rubric
4 Points 3 Points 2 Points 1 Point 0 Points
Requirements All requirements are met
and exceeded
All requirements are met One requirement was met More than one
requirement was not
completely met
No attempt
Physical Characteristics Popplet includes one photo
of animal and three details
about the animal’s physical
characteristics.
Popplet includes one photo
of animal and two details
about the animal’s physical
characteristics.
Popplet includes one photo
of animal and one detail
about the animal’s physical
characteristics.
Popplet does not include
one photo of animal or
details about the animal’s
physical characteristics.
No attempt
Habitat Popplet includes three
details about the animal’s
habitat.
Popplet includes two details
about the animal’s habitat.
Popplet includes one detail
about the animal’s habitat.
Popplet does not include
details about the animal’s
habitat.
No attempt
Diet Popplet includes three
details about the animal’s
diet.
Popplet includes two details
about the animal’s diet.
Popplet includes one detail
about the animal’s diet.
Popplet does not include
details about the animal’s
diet.
No attempt
Interesting Facts Popplet includes three
interesting facts about the
animal.
Popplet includes two
interesting facts about the
animal.
Popplet includes one
interesting fact about the
animal.
Popplet does not include
interesting facts about the
animal.
No attempt
Grammatical Errors Student’s Popplet is free of
grammatical errors.
Student’s Popplet has 1
grammatical error.
Student’s Popplet has 2
grammatical errors.
Student’s Popplet has 3 or
more grammatical errors.
No attempt
Citations & Resources Student properly cited all
resources.
One part of the citing format
is missing.
More than one element is
consistently missing from
the citations.
Consistent errors were
made throughout the
citations.
No attempt
Organization of Popplet Student’s Popplet is well
organized and is easy to
follow. Student uses many
different formatting
techniques within Popplet.
Student’s Popplet is
organized and is easy to
follow. Student uses
different formatting
techniques within Popplet.
Student’s Popplet is
organized, but difficult to
follow.
Student’s Popplet is
disorganized and is not easy
to follow.
No attempt
Peer Review Students were rated a 4 by
peers
Students were rated a 3 by
peers
Students were rated a 2 by
peers
Students were rated a 1 by
peers
No attempt was made by
student to be cooperative
with group
17. Peer Review
Scoring:
4-Met and exceeded expectations 3-Met all expectation 2-Most requirements were met
1- Few requirements were met 0-No effort was put forth
____1. Followed teacher’s instructions
____2. Respected others and their thoughts
____3. Contributed ideas and information
____4. Solved problems within the group
____5. Stayed on task and met deadlines
____6. Put forth effort
____7. Shared responsibilities
