The document provides an overview of an upcoming 6-week classroom project called "Animals: Their Classification and Needs". The project will teach students to classify animals based on physical traits, identify habitats and developmental stages, and understand why these characteristics are important for species survival. Students will work individually and collaboratively while learning important skills like critical thinking and problem solving.

1. Animals: Their
Classification
and Needs
This newsletter provides an
overview of our upcoming
class activity

2. Overview of Upcoming
Activity
 For the next six weeks, we will be working on the
project, “Animals: Their Classification and Needs.”
This project provides insight into the lives and
habitats of animals. In addition to helping students
learn how to classify animals, projects like these
help students learn basic skills and learn the
importance of protecting our environment and
sustaining the life of all plants and animals.
1. Students will learn how important all life is and
how each person can play a role in dealing with
real-world problems, issues, or other situations.
2. They will learn how important it is to work
together to get a job done.

3. Questions to Be Answered
 Essential Question: Why might it be
important to know about plants and
animals?
 Unit Question: Why could the color of an
animal or plant be important?
 Content Question: What are characteristics
of the animal?

4. Benefits of the Unit
 Students will be able to
look at animals and
plants, and be able to
classify them according
to their appearance.
 Students will meet the
standards prescribed for
the subject area, often
with a much better
understanding of the
concepts and how the
different subjects
connect and support
each other.

5. Standard from ALEX
Describe survival traits of living things, including color, shape,
size, texture, and covering.
 Classify animals according to physical traits.
 Describe natural habitats.
 Identify developmental stages of different animals.
Objectives:
 Students will be able to identify characteristics of animals.
 Students will be able to explain why these characteristics
are important to species survival..
 Students will use resources provided to them to answer
questions and find information.
 Students will be able to identify basic needs of animals.

6. Roles
Parent Teacher
 Encourage the children  Identify the needs of each
 Help students complete student
their assignments  Provide instructional
 Volunteer to participate in material so that students
some phase of the project could easily recognize
animals and plants showing
Students differences and similarities
 Learn to classify animals of each.
 Be on their best behavior  Monitor the progress of the
on our trip to the zoo groups/individuals
 Collaborate with others  Provide assessments
throughout the project

7. Benefits of Project-Based
Learning
 Project based learning is when we use
technology in the classroom to do
assignments that relate to real life scenarios.
This student centered approach to learning
will:
 Allow students to develop 21st century skills
 Promote critical thinking skills
 Provide instructions to meet student needs
 Students will collaborate with others to analyze
situations and resolve issues

8. Contact Information
 Mrs.
Lauren Renta, Michelle Gann, Nicole
Gibson or Bobbie Scott
 Email: lerenta@crimson.ua.edu
 ClassWebsite:
http://cat250gr2.webs.com/
 Office Hours: Monday – Friday 3-5pm