Living Things Project

Due Date:

Your task: In groups of 1 - 3 students, you must create a non-fiction book for primary students about an organism from Kingdom Animalia (the Animal Kingdom). Your animal can be either a vertebrate (mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles) or an invertebrate (worms, arthropods, molluscs, crustaceans). However, please consider choosing an animal that children might not know a great deal about, such as a jellyfish, lobster or gecko, or an animal that is on the endangered species list, such as the American Badger, Eastern Wolf, Woodland Caribou or Wolverine.

** All book topics must be approved by your Teacher **

There are two parts to this project: the research and the final book.

Book

1. Your book will contain all the standard features of a non-fiction book, including:

a. A cover identifying the authors;

b. Drawn, labelled diagrams and pictures with captions (a minimum of 4; one of them must be a classification chart of living things showing the placement of your animal in the Animal Kingdom);

c. Text written at the appropriate level for primary students, that includes:

i. An introduction that has a hook to draw readers in;

ii. A body with sub-headings (a minimum of 4) to identify sub-topics related to your animal (see the list of choices below **);

iii. A conclusion that concisely summarizes the entire book.

d. A glossary (defining at least 5 key words primary students may not understand);

e. A bibliography (listing, in proper form, at least 3 sources of information and at least 2 different kinds of information, i.e., book and internet.)

** Sub-topic choices (please pick 4):

1. Physical description (body shape and description, body temperature, how it breathes)

2. Movement and behaviour

3. Habitat

4. Adaptation to its habitat

5. Evolution of the animal

6. Life Cycle and growth

7. Methods of reproduction

8. Food and methods of feeding

Research

1. AFTER you have determined your animal and your sub-topics and BEFORE you start writing your book, everyone in your group must find resources and make NEAT jot-notes. The jot-notes must:

§ Be on lined pieces of paper (Remember: holes on the left);

§ Have the source information (Book title, web site, author) at the top of the page;

§ Include information related directly to your sub-topics.

Your jot-notes (5-7 words only per point) must be handed in with your book

Resources

Remember: you must find at least 3 different resources on your topic. Here is a list of recommended websites to help get you started:

Canadian Geographic

http://www.cangeo.ca

Canadian Wildlife Federation

http://www.cwf-fcf.org

National Wildlife Federation

http://www.nwf.org/nwf/new/education/html