Time Required:

Planning - Approximately 3 days.  The introduction to the unit of study will take one week for about 45-minutes a day.

Implementation will include four weeks and post lessons and activities will take about two days.

Assessment will be conducted periodically for about 30 minutes per week.

Logistical Planning:

Whole Class introduction to the unit of study including an overview of the entire research project, outline of time line.

Small group discussion for individual topic selection.

Cooperative groups for research study.

Use of a wide variety of resources:  library, computer, animal associations, zoos, animal experts, animal publications.

There are no specific special needs, however, we will use risers to make it easier for content providers to see and hear better.

Technique and Observations:
A pre-determined rubric shared with the students will be used to assess the final research project.

At regular intervals, there will be informal conversations to determine progress of individual students.

Built-in deadlines for each part of the project will motivate students to stay on task.