Grade 2 Science Project – Animals

In the next few days, students will be assigned an animal on which they will create a diorama and a written piece that describes this animal. Please search for, and send in with your child, a shoe box that can be used for the diorama. Below is detailed information on the project:

Part I – Diorama

Students will be given class time over the next few weeks, to work on their diorama.  Each student must have his/her own shoe-box.  We will decorate the shoe-box with animals and use paint/paper to create a background.  Please help your child gather additional materials (twigs for nests, cotton balls for clouds, plastic animals or Plasticine for making animals, popsicle sticks and green paper for trees, aluminum foil for water, etc.) that can be incorporated into the diorama.  Students will also create a title for their diorama e.g. Zebras by Jimmy Carson, Grade 2. This title will be pasted to the front of their diorama so that we may all appreciate each student’s hard work!

Part II - Writing

Students will create a one page write-up that will be presented to the class, alongside the diorama. The written work will be written in full sentences.  This page must include the following information. 

-     Animal name

-     Animal category (mammal, fish, insect, reptile, amphibian, bird)

-     Animal description (size, colour, features [feathers, scales, fur, beak, vertebrate])

-     Animal habitat (continent or countries and specifics, ie: The kiwi bird is found in New Zealand and lives in bushes)

-     Diet

-     Other interesting information: Is it endangered? Is it used in society (for food/clothing/work)? Is it a symbol?

The majority of the research will be done at home.  Each week, students will have an opportunity to research online during our computer period.  Students will use the TDSB animal encyclopedia to gather information. Assessment criteria are below.

Grade 2 Science Project – Animals

RUBRIC

	Level 1      (D)	Level 2      (C)	Level 3      (B)	Level 4      (A)
Knowledge of content	Demonstrates limited knowledge of content	Demonstrates some knowledge of content	Demonstrates considerable knowledge of content	Demonstrates thorough knowledge of content
Understanding	Demonstrates limited understanding of content	Demonstrates some understanding of content	Demonstrates considerable understanding of content	Demonstrates thorough understanding of content
Creativity	Produces three-dimensional works of art that express ideas inspired by observations of nature with limited care or creativity.	Produces three-dimensional works of art that express ideas inspired by observations of nature with some care or creativity.	Produces three-dimensional works of art that express ideas inspired by observations of nature with considerable care or creativity.	Produces three-dimensional works of art that express ideas inspired by observations of nature with great care and creativity.
Written communication	uses conventions, vocabulary, and terminology about animals with limited effectiveness	uses conventions, vocabulary, and terminology about animals with some effectiveness	uses conventions, vocabulary, and terminology about animals with considerable effectiveness	uses conventions, vocabulary, and terminology about animals with a high degree of effectiveness
Oral presentation	Gives a short presentation, on a familiar topic (following a model) with limited effectiveness.	Gives a short presentation, on a familiar topic (following a model) with some effectiveness.	Gives a short presentation, on a familiar topic (following a model) with considerable effectiveness.	Gives a short presentation, on a familiar topic (following a model) with a high degree of effectiveness.
Attentitive listening/ respect	Demonstrates appreciation appropriately as an audience member, with limited effectiveness.	Demonstrates appreciation appropriately as an audience member, with some effectiveness.	Demonstrates appreciation appropriately as an audience member, with considerable effectiveness.	Demonstrates appreciation appropriately as an audience member, with a high degree of effectiveness.