As the Grade 3/4 students study "Diversity of Life in science and " Australia in their Social Studies, Internet access will be invaluable in providing current information relative to the animals of Australia. This data will enable students to compare animal habitats and animal species of Australia to their own country, Canada and their own local community. Students will identify specific adaptation techniques of various animals.

Students will also identify the effect of human population, industry, climate, etc. on the delicate nature of animal habitats and realize the necessity of careful land and water management to the life cycles of theses animals. Students can access general information as well as communicate with specific organizations, individuals, etc. via e-mail, to obtain information they are unable to find elsewhere. Students will select a specific animal or habitat to research but will have the opportunity to report any interesting facts they may uncover throughout this search.

   Curriculum Connections

Main Curriculum Areas:

• Social Studies
• Science
• Language Arts
• Health
• Technology

This project allows for the integration of most subject areas thus providing a holistic picture of " Animals in Australia for the students.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Social Studies:

• Map and globe skills - locating the country on a map/globe.
• How culture, lifestyles, economy, resources differs from our country Canada.
• Identify environmental factors, such as climate that influence the location and activities of animal species.
• Identify local natural resources and how resource development affects animal habitat.
• recognize how people use economic resources.
• Describe the impact of modern technology.
• Understand how pollution affects habitats.

Science:

• provide examples of how science and technology have been used to solve problems around the world
• identify careers in which science and technology play a major role
• classify according to specific attributes
• draw conclusions
• describe the role of a common classification system for living things
• distinguish between vertebrates and invertebrates
• compare characteristics of common reptiles, mammals, marsupials and amphibians
• compare the adaptations of closely related animals living in Australia with those living in Canada and psyches reasons for these differences
• propose questions that inquire about the relationship between the structural features of organisms and the environment in which organisms live, and identify and use a variety of sources and technologies to gather pertinent information about this relationship
• discuss reasons why various animals are endangered, and describe efforts to study their population size and ensure their continued existence.

Language Arts:

This project will develop skills in the following areas:

• reading/interpreting
• online and oral communication
• discussing
• information literacy skills
  • (accessing/retrieving, analysing, synthesing/presenting)
• use the "Writing Process as outlined in the ILO's ie. rewriting, first draft, editing and publishing
• writing and presenting reports
• use technology in writing process (eg. computer thesaurus).

Health:

Student will:

• recognize the importance of clean air and water for everyday life
• understands the responsibility of governments, communities, families and individuals for maintaining a clean environment
• describe how air and water pollution can be controlled and/or reduced
• recognize the potential health hazards of air and water contamination to diverse habitats

Technology Education:

Students will:

• develop a vocabulary of terminology and language related to the selected communication technology
• conduct Internet searches
• download and/or print files
• describe the impact of modern technology

   Resource Connections

• Word processor - including spell check
• print and electronic encyclopaedias (eg. Encarta)
• atlases, globes, maps, etc.
• e-mail organizations, government officials in Australia
• use the scanner for pertinent information to include in individual reports

   Evaluation

The intended learning outcomes previously listed will be used to determine the extent/level of achievement of the students, In addition, anecdotal records, samples of student's work and teacher observations of research skills utilized by students will also be used.

This project will allow students to access the Internet for current information that would not otherwise be readily available to them.