Site URL: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/WebCams/
Site Title:Smithsonian National Zoological Park – Animal Cams
What content did you find useful about this site? Science content geared for elementary and middle school age students. The website included 24-hour cameras of animals in the Smithsonian Zoo. When the animals are out of view, the website relays the message that currently they are out of view but gives the website user the option to watch a prerecorded video of the animal. The website also has animal blog’s where students can ask questions and someone will answer them that works in the museum. Likewise, the website user can sign up for a specific animal newsletter if they would like to learn more about that animal. There are detailed descriptions of the animals as well.
Appropriate grade(s): K-8
Unit of study to connect with: Animals and their habitats, environmental science, endangered species etc. I chose to focus on the pandas.
Subject/s to incorporate: Science, Environmental Issues, Math, ELA
Specific skills to tie in with this link: Research skills, building background knowledge, noting observations, compare and contrast, persuasive writing
Specific outcome of visiting this site: The students are introduced to different animals that live at the zoo that helps them build background knowledge and understanding of new vocabulary words. The students can also practice their writing skills by writing their observations, comparing and contrasting different animals and writing persuasive pieces on endangered animals, environmental issues etc. Likewise, this website helps teachers teach non-fiction text features on electronic resources. I would plan a lesson with the use of the panda cam. I would ask the students to observe and write down observations on a daily basis for a few days and then we would: note changes, make inferences, and ask questions to gear the class into a brief research project on zoo animals.
NAME: Karolina Idec
Site Title:Smithsonian National Zoological Park – Animal Cams
What content did you find useful about this site? Science content geared for elementary and middle school age students. The website included 24-hour cameras of animals in the Smithsonian Zoo. When the animals are out of view, the website relays the message that currently they are out of view but gives the website user the option to watch a prerecorded video of the animal. The website also has animal blog’s where students can ask questions and someone will answer them that works in the museum. Likewise, the website user can sign up for a specific animal newsletter if they would like to learn more about that animal. There are detailed descriptions of the animals as well.
Appropriate grade(s): K-8
Unit of study to connect with: Animals and their habitats, environmental science, endangered species etc. I chose to focus on the pandas.
Subject/s to incorporate: Science, Environmental Issues, Math, ELA
Specific skills to tie in with this link: Research skills, building background knowledge, noting observations, compare and contrast, persuasive writing
Specific outcome of visiting this site: The students are introduced to different animals that live at the zoo that helps them build background knowledge and understanding of new vocabulary words. The students can also practice their writing skills by writing their observations, comparing and contrasting different animals and writing persuasive pieces on endangered animals, environmental issues etc. Likewise, this website helps teachers teach non-fiction text features on electronic resources. I would plan a lesson with the use of the panda cam. I would ask the students to observe and write down observations on a daily basis for a few days and then we would: note changes, make inferences, and ask questions to gear the class into a brief research project on zoo animals.
NAME: Karolina Idec