Final Project: Vertebrates, An Activity for 3rd Grade English Learners

Final Project / Topic – Vertebrates / Level – Primary 3

Introduction:

The natural science curriculum in third grade primary school includes a unit about the 5 main types of vertebrates: birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and fish. The unit tasks students with memorizing new vocabulary, understanding different groupings, and using critical thinking skills to categorize a given animal (whether or not that animal was explicitly used as an example in the lesson). Achieving mastery over the tasks can be aided with the proper balance of focusing on memorizing the definitions and working with them.

Being guided by the belief that learning is more fun at the intersection of different fields, I am bringing art into the science classroom, using a paper cycle book to help students explore the different types of vertebrates. **It is important to note that the paper cycle book can be adapted to different skill and age levels, as well as other topics (how will be explained closer to the end).

Lesson Objectives:

  • Students will understand there are 5 main types of vertebrates
  • Students will learn how to differentiate between the 5 types of vertebrates
  • Students will engage in intertwining science with art
  • Student will practice their writing skills
  • Students will use their creativity and drawing skills

Materials used:

  • Student’s Natural Science Textbook
  • Two pieces of blank paper per student
  • Art Materials including: Scissors, Gluestick
  • Writing materials including: pencils, colored pencils, markers
  • Classroom tools including: whiteboard, dry erase markers

Lesson Timing:

  • The content of the lesson will span anywhere from 2 to 3 class sessions depending on the level of autonomy the students are given at each point in the art process.  (Before starting the activity, the language assistant and the teacher should discuss which of the art steps they wish for the students to complete on their own.) 
  • In general, creating the cycle book can take about half of one class, and filling in the cycle book can take anywhere from one to two classes.
  • Note that this activity is meant to take place after the topic of vertebrates has already been introduced to the class (with the students textbook)

Activity Instructions:

1) Create a blank cycle book (refer to the following youtube video created by Paula B Krieg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBc4yEzrwrk)

Least Level of Art:

  • The language assistant and teacher prepare the circle book for the students in advance and hand it out to them

Most level of Art (with options for modifications)

  • Each student starts with two pieces of paper
  • Students trace a circular object, drawing one big circle on each blank piece of paper 
    • (modification: print out paper with the circles already drawn. Pdf included in materials)
  • Students cut out two circles of the same size 
    • (modification: Teacher and Language assistant cut out the circles )
  • Students cut a rectangle from the scrap paper
    • (modification: Teacher and Language assistant cut out the rectangle)
  • Language assistant models how to fold the circles and cut one line up to the center. Students follow.
    • (Note: this can be done with the assistance of the youtube video)
  • Teacher and Language assistant assist students in gluing the rectangle between the circles correctly to form the cycle book 
    • (this part is best done by the adults in the room for third grade students)

2) Have the students fill in their cycle books

  • The Language Assistant: Draw a circle on the blackboard, or chalkboard, to represent the cycle book. (** In place of writing everything out by hand, the option also exists to open the pre-made presentation material and project it onto the board/screen)
  •  Write the correct spelling of the title “Vertebrates” followed by one category of vertebrates: “Reptiles” and a few facts about Reptiles. 
  • Give students time to copy the words from the board.
  • Ask the students to share ideas about which animals they think are reptiles, then discuss as a class why or why not the proposed animal is a reptile.
  • Let the students choose, individually, the reptile they draw in the space next to the words. 
  • Repeat for all the other types of vertebrates until the cycle book is complete.

Helpful tips

  • Have the students use a pencil when first writing and drawing. 
  • Let the student trace and color once they are done writing (the students who finish quickly will have more time to color than those who finish slowly, however at any given moment each student will have something to do and everyone will have completed the academic part before moving on to coloring).

How to adapt to different skill levels, ages, and topics

  • For younger students or students with motor difficulties: I recommend doing more of the art process for them. For example: you can print paper with circles already drawn on the page, you can cut out the circles for the students. 
  • If there is not much class time, if the teacher prefers to focus more on the academics, or if the students are really not old enough to make the cycle book themselves, the option exists for the language assistant and teacher to prepare the cycle books before the activity. (Note that the art activity additionally provides the students with a review of how to say different classroom objects in english.) 
  • This activity can be adapted to other topics: it can be used to review eight different fruits in second grade English class; it can be used to practice seasons. There are many possibilities! The only note I’ll add is that topics with four or eight categories function best with the paper cycle book activity. 

Teachers Role:

  • To teach the main content from the textbook and the students activity book
  • To assist the language assistant in leading the art activity, to clarify any important instructions in spanish that the students do not understand when the language assistant explains them in english

Language Assistants Role:

  • To assist when the students are completing activities in their activity book
  • To lead the art activity when students are done with their activity book 

Language Assistants Activities / Materials

Photos:

 

Vertebrates: An Activity for 3rd Grade English Learners © 2023 by Janet Akselrud is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 

PDF Version of this: Final Project – Topic Vertebrates