Animals are amazing creatures.  There are mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, fish, and insects.  They each are unique in their own way.  They are amazing, but are they mysterious?  The Manasquan Elementary School Detective Agency thinks so.  The agency is looking for students to create mystery animal projects.  You have been selected to act as a junior detective!  During your adventure, you will collect clues about a special animal of your choice and present your findings to the class.

Introduction

The Task

The Task

Your job as a junior detective is to choose an animal to research.  Keep in mind, this is a mystery project.  You will keep track of clues as to the identity of your animal in your clue notebook (Science Notebook).  You will need information such as:  the classification of your animal, where your animal lives, what it eats, and other interesting facts.   You will then present the clues in a  Power Point slide show for other students to guess your animal.  The Manasquan Elementary School Detective Agency will then grade your project to see if you qualify to be a real junior detective with their agency.

The Process

1.  You will work alone on this project. 2.  Select an animal you would like to research and approve it with your teacher. 3.  Use the website links on the next slide to help you find at least 5 clues and some interesting facts about your animal.  4  Record the clues in your clue notebook. 5.  Create a Power Point slide with the clues about your animal.  Do not tell the name of the animal on this slide! 6.  Create a second Power Point slide with a picture of your animal and a few more interesting facts 7.  Evaluate your project using the self-evaluation scoring guide provided.  You may also wish to look at the scoring guide the Manasquan Elementary School Detective Agency will use to score your project.  Make any necessary changes. 8.  Present your first slide to the class.  Other students will attempt to guess the identity of your animal by the clues.  Once the animal has been identified, present your second slide to the class. You may also include more slides with information on your animal or additional pictures!

• http://www.indyzoo.com/content.aspx?CID=455 (The Indianapolis Zoo)

• http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/ (National Geographic)

• http://kids.yahoo.com/animals (Yahooligans)

Websites

The Manasquan Elementary School Detective Agency will grade your project based on the

scoring guide on the next slide.  Remember to do a self-evaluation before you turn in your

completed project.

Evaluation

 

Beginning Detective

1

Developing  Detective

2

Accomplished Detective

3

Exemplary Detective

4Score

Animal clues in the clue

notebook

2 or fewer clues are written in the clue notebook

3 clues are written in the clue notebook

4 clues are written in the clue notebook

5 or more clues are written in the clue notebook

 

Animal clues on the Power

Point slides

2 or fewer clues are included on the slides

3 clues are included on the slides

4 clues are included on the slides

5 or more clues are included on the slides

 

Power Point slide show

Slide show includes 1 or

no slide

Slide show includes 2

slides

Slide show includes 1 slide with

animal clues and 1 slide

with the animal picture

Slide show includes 1 slide with

animal clues and 1 slide

with the animal

picture and extra facts

 

Presentation No presentation

Presentation is unclear and/or

uninformative

Presentation is clear and

informative

Presentation is clear and

informative, showing above

average preparation

 

Project completed on time

Project not complete

Project completed 2 days late

Project completed 1 day late

Project completed on or before the due date

 

Evaluate your work using the scoring guide on the next slide

before you turn in your final project.

Self-Evaluation

Animal clues in the clue notebook

I have 2 or fewer clues written in my notebook

I have 3 or 4 clues written in my notebook

I have 5 or more clues written in my notebook

Animal clues on the Power Point slides

I have 2 or fewer clues on my slides

I have 3 or 4 clues on my slides

I have 5 or more clues on my slides

Power Point slide showMy slide show includes only

1 slide

My slide show includes 2 slides, but I may not have all

of the clues or an animal picture

My slide show includes 1 slide with animal clues and 1 slide with the animal picture

and extra facts

PresentationI haven't planned a

presentation

My presentation isn't completely clear and

informative

I have spent a lot of time on my presentation to make it

clear and informative

Project completed on time My project isn't readyMy project might be finished

on timeMy project is ready to go on

time

Even Better!Good!

More needed