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Animal Research Unit - Project Based Learning
Animal Research Unit - Project Based Learning
Animal Research Unit - Project Based Learning
Animal Research Unit - Project Based Learning
Animal Research Unit - Project Based Learning
Animal Research Unit - Project Based Learning
Animal Research Unit - Project Based Learning
Animal Research Unit - Project Based Learning
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Description

In this project-based learning unit, kids focus on animal adaptations and their habitats. Animal RAFT Research Unit is a two-week Language Arts-Science animal research unit that allows students the opportunity to use their research by applying it to one of five different RAFT choices.

RAFT is an acronym for Role Audience Format Topic. Students choose a role they want to assume and, based on that role, are given a format and topic for a specific audience. RAFTs are great ways to embed differentiated instruction in your classroom.

Using their information, they can publish a magazine, write an animal tale, participate in ANIMAL COURT (persuasive writing- verbal), design a Museum Diorama or Poster (spatial learners), and more!

The culminating event is a Museum Walk, where they present their projects, with a chance to leave their animal tracks (feedback) and evaluate their work. There are 3 different scoring rubrics available, one for letter grades, another using 4-3-2 scale and the third, a student self-evaluation continuum.

This unit was designed to complement my district’s Outdoor Lab School program in Colorado, but is easily adapted to use with any habitat or life zone. I’ve included the background information for the Colorado Life Zones, as an example, or your main focus. Also included, extensive teacher notes and suggestions, all handouts and graphic organizers needed to take notes and plan presentations.

CCSS addressed: 4.RIT.9, 10 4.W.2, 3, 4, 6, 7 4.SL.2, 3, 4 4.L.1, 2

Grades 5-8 RIT.1, 2, 7 W.1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 SL.1, 2, 4, 5 L.1, 2, 3

Animals to the Rescue! A Readers' Theatre Play About Outdoor Survival & Smart Choices is a good companion to Animal RAFT. And now these two products are bundled together for additional savings. Follow the link and take a peek!

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How to get TpT credit to use on future purchases:

Please go to your My Purchases page (you may need to login). Beside each purchase you’ll see a Provide Feedback button. Simply click it and you will be taken to a page where you can give a quick rating and leave a short comment for the product. Each time you give feedback, TpT gives you feedback credits that you use to lower the cost of your future purchases. I value your feedback greatly, as it helps me determine which products are most valuable for your classroom, so I can create more for you.

Be the first to know about my new discounts, freebies and product launches:

Look for the green star next to my store logo and click it to become a follower. Voila! You will now receive email updates about this store!

Thanks for stopping by! Pam Kranz

***************************************************************************

© Pamela Kranz Desktop Learning Adventures All Rights Reserved

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Animal Research Unit - Project Based Learning

Desktop Learning Adventures
1.7k Followers
$6.50

Highlights

Digital downloads
Grades icon
Grades
5th - 8th
Standards icon
Standards
Pages
28
Answer Key
Rubric only
Teaching Duration
2 Weeks

Save even more with bundles

Animal RAFT- a Project-based Research Unit and Animals to the Rescue- a Readers’ Theatre Play About Survival & Smart Choices are now bundled! This natural pairing of resources has students first researching and presenting animals through different RAFT choices in an end-of-unit Museum Walk. Add
Price $9.00Original Price $11.49Save $2.49
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Description

In this project-based learning unit, kids focus on animal adaptations and their habitats. Animal RAFT Research Unit is a two-week Language Arts-Science animal research unit that allows students the opportunity to use their research by applying it to one of five different RAFT choices.

RAFT is an acronym for Role Audience Format Topic. Students choose a role they want to assume and, based on that role, are given a format and topic for a specific audience. RAFTs are great ways to embed differentiated instruction in your classroom.

Using their information, they can publish a magazine, write an animal tale, participate in ANIMAL COURT (persuasive writing- verbal), design a Museum Diorama or Poster (spatial learners), and more!

The culminating event is a Museum Walk, where they present their projects, with a chance to leave their animal tracks (feedback) and evaluate their work. There are 3 different scoring rubrics available, one for letter grades, another using 4-3-2 scale and the third, a student self-evaluation continuum.

This unit was designed to complement my district’s Outdoor Lab School program in Colorado, but is easily adapted to use with any habitat or life zone. I’ve included the background information for the Colorado Life Zones, as an example, or your main focus. Also included, extensive teacher notes and suggestions, all handouts and graphic organizers needed to take notes and plan presentations.

CCSS addressed: 4.RIT.9, 10 4.W.2, 3, 4, 6, 7 4.SL.2, 3, 4 4.L.1, 2

Grades 5-8 RIT.1, 2, 7 W.1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 SL.1, 2, 4, 5 L.1, 2, 3

Animals to the Rescue! A Readers' Theatre Play About Outdoor Survival & Smart Choices is a good companion to Animal RAFT. And now these two products are bundled together for additional savings. Follow the link and take a peek!

***************************************************************************

Customer Tips:

How to get TpT credit to use on future purchases:

Please go to your My Purchases page (you may need to login). Beside each purchase you’ll see a Provide Feedback button. Simply click it and you will be taken to a page where you can give a quick rating and leave a short comment for the product. Each time you give feedback, TpT gives you feedback credits that you use to lower the cost of your future purchases. I value your feedback greatly, as it helps me determine which products are most valuable for your classroom, so I can create more for you.

Be the first to know about my new discounts, freebies and product launches:

Look for the green star next to my store logo and click it to become a follower. Voila! You will now receive email updates about this store!

Thanks for stopping by! Pam Kranz

***************************************************************************

© Pamela Kranz Desktop Learning Adventures All Rights Reserved

Report this resource to TPT
Reported resources will be reviewed by our team. Report this resource to let us know if this resource violates TPT's content guidelines.

Reviews

4.9
Rated 4.92 out of 5, based on 31 reviews
31
ratings
5
24
4
7
3
0
2
0
1
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All verified TPT purchases
Rated 5 out of 5
July 3, 2025
This was a great project to use to assess student learning about habitats!
Roedell's Designs
(TPT Seller)
472 reviews
Grades taught: 4th
Rated 5 out of 5
June 21, 2022
My students loved this project based learning! They learned so much about different animals and always ask when our next project will be.
Joy J.
233 reviews
Grades taught: 3rd, 4th
Student populations: Autism, Emerging bilinguals, Learning difficulties, Mild to severe disabilities
Rated 5 out of 5
May 18, 2021
Fun way to practice research
Jara Armstrong
(TPT Seller)
539 reviews
Rated 5 out of 5
August 18, 2019
Great activity!
Sarah D.
645 reviews
Rated 5 out of 5
June 6, 2018
My fifth graders loved this project. They were so creative with it!
Ashton G.
331 reviews
Rated 5 out of 5
May 25, 2018
Great resource.
Dara Y.
270 reviews
Rated 4.5 out of 5
March 9, 2018
This has been very helpful for students who have been looking for a project to use for their academic galleria.
Lisa J.
76 reviews
Rated 4.8 out of 5
October 25, 2017
I loved using this as an end of the year research project!
Reading Wizard
(TPT Seller)
40 reviews

Questions & Answers

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Standards

to see state-specific standards (only available in the US).
Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; provide an accurate summary of the text distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
By the end of grade 8, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 6–8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
Introduce claim(s) about a topic or issue, acknowledge and distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.
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