What do you think of this little school project?

[Blondie]

This is my 7th graders first project of the year;

Living Needs Project:
To illustrate the basic needs of an organism, students will design a habitat suitable for a zoo or aquarium. Each student will be assigned a particular animal. The student will research the life needs of their animal and then design and build a model of an artificial habitat in which their animal could successfully live. Students must explain the needs of their animal and how those needs are met in the habitat in a short report.

Grading Sheet:
(Each item below is worth 10 points)
*Living Needs
(shown in project) ___________
*Living Needs
(stated in report)____________
*Description of how the
habitat provides needs ________
*Animal Habitat Design _________
*Gram., Spelling, & Punct. ________
*Interesting Fact(s) ___________
*Creativity __________________
*Neatness ___________________
*Organization ________________
*Presentation ________________

Total Points: _________________

Do you think this is a little too elaborate for a 7th grader?

 

[Laurabearz]

SOunds like a great project. Like a diorama with thought....

I think once they start it most of the things will just fall into place.

You will have to taake pictures of the final project and show us!

 

[Cindy B]

Sounds like a good project.

I would love to see my kids do stuff like that.

 

[bfeller]

Sounds appropriate to me.

 

[Blondie]

Okay, I'll take your word for it!

I just e-mailed that teacher to get some more specifics (because trying to get anything out of my son is like pulling teeth) and she immediately e-mailed me back. I understand more about it now!

We never had anything like this back when I was in 7th grade! In fact, I don't remember doing any projects of any sorts in that grade!

 

[crazyme5kids]

It probably seems like a lot when you first look at all the instructions, but it isn't to hard of a project. My daughter had to do that one in I think it was 4th grade. I can't remember what animal she did though. Once you know what animal your child gets, feel free to PM me if you need some ideas on the model. My 5th grader came home with his first report assignment the other night, it was six pages of instructions! I felt overwhelmed just looking at it, but when we sat down and took a deep breath it wasn't too bad either.

 

[J&D]

I teach 7th grade, and we do similar projects.

 

[Kallison]

Their projects stress ME out. (I know they shouldn't but they do).

 

[Ted and Holly]

I work with 7th graders and this is a typical 7th grade project.
I have never seen one on this topic, but the classes are ALL doing projects....especially this lengthy. Last year, a social studies class had to write a lengthy paper AND make a working model of a volcano. By the end of the year, the parents were really sick of buying expensive supplies for all these projects. Most teachers feel that kids learn better by doing. I have to agree. The only problem I see is kids waiting until the last minute. All of your list CAN'T be done the night before. Encourage your sun to budget his time and work on it in small chunks. The teachers I work with give less homework during project times to give them time to work on their projects at home.

ENjoy. It sounds like fun!
Holly

 

[J&D]

Good advice Ted and Holly!

The only problem ... is kids waiting until the last minute.

This is very typical of 7th graders! Parents, please don't get mad at the teacher for this!!!

kids learn better by doing

Yes, this is the purpose of projects!

Kallison- Don't stress! The key word in the above statement is "kids".

 

[ugadog99]

Yep, sounds about right. At the moment, my 6th grader and her grandfather are working on her latest project. This time she has to build a model of a Roman temple with a descriptive paragraph. Their choices were a temple, an aqueduct, stadium, Roman instrument, god/goddess, Roman villa with a cutaway showing the rooms fully furnished, Roman coins, roadway and several other items. Unbelievable the amount of work she is expected to do!!!

 

[rbuzzotta]

This sounds great! My Dd would love a project like that (6th grade). Last year she had to design a Spooky Theme Park!! Having been to WDW so many times it was a breeze to her!! She got an A and the teacher kept the map of the Theme Park to show future students.

**It did look quite similiar to Magic Kingdom!!!! Only the names were changed.....to protect the innocent.

Do you have Zoo Tycoon CD???? I am sure your son could get lots of ideas from that!!!

 

[J&D]

Unbelievable the amount of work she is expected to do!!!

Yes, and how unbelievably high the academic standards set by each state are becoming.

 

[Kitty 34]

Actually Blondie, it sounds like a lot of fun but a lot of HARD work, too!! Last year when my DS was in 6th grade they had to create a model Incan Empire and have a 5 page typewritten report on the how the hierarchy within the Incan community worked!!



My 10th grader has to keep a guppy alive using certain environmental situations.......the sooner the fish dies the worse grade he gets!!!!

 

[FTWFAN]

Ashton(Oddball27) is also in the 7th grade. I showed this post to her and she said it sounded like a cool project. She would like to do something like that! I hope you guys have fun!!!!!!

 

[Rajah]

Sounds like fun to me!

 

[Blondie]

To all those who said it sounds fun, he has chosen the Falcon.

You can e-mail me YOUR report at your earliest convenience!

 

[damo]

My DD and DS both had that same project in Grade 4. It was great fun. My son did a toad and had moss and stuff and little twigs, etc. I think my daughter did a jungle animal with the jungle ceiling and vines and more moss. Make sure you start early because once you start you get inspired and want to keep adding things.

 

[Buckalew]

Hunter would love a project like this. Just say animals and she's ready for anything.
I, on the other hand, would find it overwhelming. LOL
Good luck!

 

[Serena]

I'm not surprised at all. My girls have done lots of projects like this.