Science & ELA Integration Unit-Animal Parts & Function

The first grade Science curriculum standards involve students learning about the external parts and functions of animals. We have collaborated with ELA to integrate science and other curriculum areas where possible due to time constraints. In this unit, student knowledge is assessed via a probe about items and their parts. They then sort animal models based on their prior knowledge and make a “me map” human sized model of their own body parts and functions.

Students are then introduced to a real world application video: Burlington Science Center “Amazing Animal Parts” TV show video. “The Burlington Science Center is starting a new TV show called “Amazing Animals Parts” for BCAT TV. Ms. Pavlicek needs your help coming up with animal parts and function presentation for one of her episodes. Will you help her?” Students will then work towards making making a product of their choice (via video, book, poster, ect.) for the Burlington Science Center TV show while using their own observations of live and/or taxidermy animals. The product is the result of creating a student driven “inform” project, through the Explorations in Nonfiction writing unit in ELA. They learn how to read text to pull out information, how to use videos for research purposes and how to use a research notebook to collect and organize the information. Teachers facilitate learning from a “class product” that allows students to practice their skills and then each student makes their own individual projects to share.

Here are some pictures of student projects and animal vistits/presentations for this unit.