Rabbit in the Classroom
Introduction:
This lesson provides students with an interactive way to explore the internet. This is a beginner to intermediate internet lesson. Through this lesson students will be able to link to other informative web sites and familarize themselves with the internet with careful observation. This lesson allows students to explore and learn about caring for a classroom pet. The pet choosen for our classroom is a rabbit. Any animal appropriate for a classroom pet could be used. This lesson will provide students with the information needed to care for our rabbit.
Content Area and Grade Level:
This WebQuest was created for students in the 3rd and 4th grades. The material presented in this lesson is age appropriate for these grades. Information from various Web Sites was used in the creation of this lesson. These Web Sites could be used to customize this lesson to the special needs or age of any elementary classroom. Listed are the Web Sites where we got our information:
http://kids.osd.wednet.edu/mck/classroom/feeneyanimalproject/rabbit.html
http://expage.com/page/popquiz
http://www.rabbit.org/links/sections/reference.html
http://netvet.wustl.edu/rabbits.htm
http://www.ece.utexas.edu/~nbeach/bunny.html
We choose the floppy eared rabbit for the children in our class as our classroom pet. In our lesson we explored and listed many different types of rabbits. You should choose any type or rabbit for your classroom. It may be a good idea to have your students choose the type or rabbit they would like in their classroom. Some different type of rabbits include angora,
Curriculum Standards:
(a) Introduction
(1) In Grade 3, the study of science includes planning and implementing simple classroom and field investigations to develop the skills of collecting information using tools such as a microscope, making inferences, communicating conclusions, and making informed decisioins. Students also use computers and information technology tools to support scientific investigations.
(b) Knowledge and skills
(3.8)Science concepts. The student knows that living organisms need food, water, light, air, a way to dispose of waste, and an environment in which to live. The student is expected to:
(A) observe and desicribe the habitats of organisms within an ecosystem;
(B) observe and identify organisms with similar needs that compete with one another for resources such as oxygen, water, food, or space;
(C) describe environmental changes in which some organisms would thrive, become ill, or perish; and
(D) describe how living organisms modify their physical environment to meet their needs such as beavers building a dam or humans building a home.
(3.9)Science concepts. The student knows that species have different adaptations that help them survive and reproduce in their environment. The student is expected to:
(A) observe and identify characteristics among species that allow each to survive reproduce; and
(B) analyze how adaprtive characteristics help individuals within a species to survive and reproduce.
(3.10)Science concepts. The students knows that many likenesses between offspring and parents are inherited from the parents. the student is expected to:
(A) identify some inherited traits of plants; and
(B) identify some inherited traits of animals.
IMPLEMENTATION OVERVIEW:
This lesson was developed to last for three days to a one week. This lesson could be implemented into a science, language arts, technology, music, art or math lesson. This lesson emphasizes reading, writing, science, art and technology. This lesson works the best when students are in pairs or groups.
RESOURCES NEEDED:
1) A computer lab or classroom computers, idealy 2-3 students per computer.
2) Additional texts such as books, magazines, newpapers, poetry, encylopedia, etc.
Books that deal specifically with rabbits or the care of rabbits would be an excellent resource to use with this lesson.
BOOK LIST:
Bennett, Bob. (1996). Rabbits as a Hobby. Neptune, NJ: T.F.H. Publications, Inc.
Evans, Mark. (1992). Rabbit- A Practical Guide to Caring for your Rabbit. New York: Dorling Kindersley, Inc.
Viner, Bradley. (1997). All About Your Rabbit. Seven Hills Book Distributors.
Potter, Beatrix. (1997). The Adventures of Peter Rabbit. Ideals Children Books.
Baker, Alan. (1995). Gray’s Rabbit Odd One Out. New York: Kingfisher Books.
Stock, Renee. (1998). The Essential Rabbit. New York: Howell Book House.
Howe, Debra. (1996). Bunnicula: A Rabbit - Tale of Mystery. Demco Media.
Jarrell, Randall. (1996). The Gingerbread Rabbit. New York: Harpercollins.
Borgenicht, David. (1995). Brer Rabbit: From the Collected Stories of Joel Chandler Harris. New York: Courage Books.
Sandford, J.C. (1996). The Domestic Rabbit. New York: Blackwell Science Inc.
Entry Level Skills and Knowledge:
Students should be able to read and write at or above a third grade level. Students will need to know basic computer skills.