This document outlines an animal research project for third grade students. It includes standards and objectives related to language arts, science, and technology. Students will work in small groups to research an animal of their choice using online resources and create a concept map using Popplet. The project provides guidance on multi-day instructional procedures for students to research the physical characteristics, habitat, diet, and interesting facts about their chosen animal.

1. Animal Research Project
Created by:
Kari Haberling
Melissa Hayes
Shae Stephenson

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

17. Peer Review