Complex Animals: A study of Invertebrates and VertebratesEDC 448: Text Study, 9/27/2012For Grade 9By Jonathan Brown

Essential Questions

1. If you were to design the perfect vertebrate that could live in many different habitats, what traits would it have?

2. Think about what you have learned about how diverse and specialized different species can be in different environments. What traits do you imagine future species will evolve to survive on an ever changing Earth one million years from now.

3. Write a one page creative story about how if evolution had diverged slightly millions of years ago, a different species could be the dominant life form on Earth.

Offline Texts!

Textbook: Biology, An Everyday Experience

Kaskel, Albert, Paul J. Hummer, and Lucy Daniel. Biology: An Everyday Experience. Columbus, OH: Charles E. Merrill, 1988. Print.

This textbook is meant for a Biology class for high school students. It is a Glencoe/McGraw-Hill textbook of 744 pages. The 8th Chapter in the book deals with complex animal and is perfect for the lesson I am teaching with this text set. The book contains easy to follow sections that flow with the subject being taught. In addition, each chapter contains learning objectives, diagrams, engaging pictures, and vocabulary words to help students to better understand the concept. At the end of each chapter is a review section that summarizes the chapter nicely and has many forms of questions that engage the student and help to solidify the material.

Text Book Continued Quantitative: Using the Flesch-Kincaid readability test I found the

textbook to have a grade level of 9, and a reading ease score of 51. Since I am teaching a 9th grade class this textbook is perfect.

Qualitative: At the level of meaning level, this text is straightforward and offers easy to follow descriptions and explanations to biological concepts. In regard to structure, this text is definitely an informational text. It is clearly organized into different chapters that focus on a single biological concept. The chapters in turn have sections in them to further break down the concept. In terms of language conventionality and clarity, the text does contain difficult scientific words that the student may not have encountered before. However, the text usually defined these words for the reader in an easy to understand way. Since the text is informative, the knowledge demands are not significant. The book teaches you the concepts as if you had no prior knowledge other than that of the previous chapters.

National Audubon Society: Field Guide to New England

Alden, Peter. National Audubon Society Field Guide to New England. New York: Knopf, 1998. Print.

This is a field guide to all the different types of wildlife that can be found in New England. Ideally I would be teaching my class in one of the New England states, but if that was not the case it would be easy to find a field guide for any area where I taught. The field guide is an excellent resource that is full of pictures, descriptions of different wildlife, and diagrams. If I were to use this source I would like to be able to take my students on a fieldtrip to try and identify the local wildlife. This would be an exciting change of pace from a lecture.

Qualitative Analysis of the Field Guide

Like the textbook, the levels of meaning and purpose are straightforward. There is no figurative language and the purpose is to inform the reader about different species. The structure is broken down into different types of plant and animal life, making it easy to find certain species. Many interesting pictures are provided to captivate the reader. The language conventionality and clarity is similar to the textbook. However, the biological words are not all defined making this text more difficult. For this reason it should be used with the textbook. The knowledge demands are somewhat greater than the textbook since many scientific terms are used. Prior knowledge about different animal groups as well as an understanding of basic vocabulary would be beneficial to fully grasp this text. But for a 9th grade class this text would mealy be used to identify animals in the field.

Ancestor Sigler, Scott. Ancestor: A Novel. New York: Crown, 2010. Print.

This is a really interesting novel by a favorite author of mine, Scott Sigler. He is known for delving deeply into scientific concepts in his books. When using this book I would either read aloud certain chapters to the class or make copies of said chapters that the students could read themselves. I would not have enough time to teach the whole novel. But the certain chapters that I would discuss deal in genetics and different animal traits. The book ties very closely with my first essential question. I believe my students would respond positively to it as it is engaging and exciting. Perhaps it would inspire them to read the whole book on there own.

Qualitative Analysis of “Ancestor”

The chapters from Ancestor that I would focus on are slightly more complex than the other texts I have described so far. The levels of meaning would be more suited for an average or above grade level student. Being a novel, different forms of figurative language are used. Also, much of the information is withheld from the reader forcing them to make inferences. With regard to the structure, the story is of the fictional genre but has roots in scientific facts. The story is told in third-person. The language conventionality and clarity is suited for the average student. However, struggling students and above average students would both be able to read the text without too much difficulty or getting bored. The knowledge demands require the reader to go far beyond there own life experiences, but does also provide explanations that would help the reader understand the concepts.

Children’s Book: Beasties

Scott, Louise Binder. Beasties. Minneapolis, MN: T.S. Denison, 1990. Print.

This is a fun children’s book that I remember from my childhood. When I read it it got me very interested in animals. Though this book is way too simplistic to use as a teaching resource for 9th graders, I do believe parts of it could enrich the lesson. The poem on Duckbill Platypus’s in particular is fun while informative at the same time, and would be a good tool to introduce mammals.

Qualitative Analysis of “Beasties”

At the levels of meaning, this text is very simplistic and would definitely be suited for struggling students. I would have my struggling readers read this poem to help them gain confidence. The structure is simple. It is broken down into different sections such as poems, games, and factual information. The language conventions and clarity is suited for struggling students. The text is very simplistic and does not require analysis. Furthermore, there are no knowledge demands needed to understand this text. Since it is so simplistic, I would only use this text for a few key poems. I would print them out and have the class read them to introduce new topics.

Animal Behavior book: Black Bear, The Spirit of the

Wilderness Ford, Barbara. Black Bear, the Spirit of the Wilderness. Boston: Houghton Mifflin,

1981. Print.

This is an animal behavior book that focuses on the black bear. It was written by Barbra Ford. It is an educational book. Thought a high school biology class would not have enough time to focus on this book in depth, I do believe that the last two chapters are important for students to read about. These chapters deal with the importance of people living in harmony with animals. This is a message I would like to teach the young generation in the hopes that in the future they will care about wildlife conservation.

Qualitative Analysis of “Black Bear, The Spirit of the

Wilderness” The levels of meaning of this book are intended for

average students. Though, the text is not so difficult as to discourage struggling students. The chapters I would focus on are straightforward and clear in their message of conservation. The structure is simply broken into chapters, with no internal sections. In regard to Language conventionality and clarity, this text does not offer words that are too terribly difficult but is definitely written at a high school level. Also, the text clearly explains its message in a way where no knowledge demands are necessary to understand the message. I believe all my students will find this text interesting and hopefully would take its meaning to heart.

Online Resources!

YouTube Video: Vertebrate Zoology RapBtenkink. "Vertebrate Zoology Rap." YouTube. YouTube, 02 Oct. 2010.

Web. 27 Sept. 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZeAzQMg9nk>.

This is a fun video that I think students would respond very positively to. It was created by high school science enthusiast as an extra credit project. It is funny but also informative. Also, it utilizes the music style of rap which speaks to the younger generation. I believe this video would be a great way to start a class and get the students excited about learning.

Qualitative Analysis of YouTube Video

On the subject of levels of meaning, this video, though fun, has very complex themes to it. The struggling student would be able to enjoy it for its humorous aspect while the above grade level student would be able to appreciate its informative nature. Looking at its structure, it is clear this video is a form of new media. The levels of language and complexity are surprisingly complex for a funny rap video. The video features many complex words that appear rapidly. Furthermore, to fully grasp the meaning of this video extensive knowledge demands are required. However, I would only use this video to grab the classes attention and introduce a new topic, not to actually teach them about the concepts.

TeacherTube Video: Animals

"Animals." TeacherTube -. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2012. <http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=36112>.

This is a great video made by a High School science teacher, Miss Neuberger. I found this video on teachertube.com and was thoroughly impressed. It offers an engaging song, colorful pictures, and the main facts that define each type of animals. In addition it offers an exemplarity video clip at the end that is incredibly interesting and is sure to perk up students.

Qualitative Analysis of TeacherTube Video

The levels of meaning in this video are not too complex but are also very important. The short pieces of information are the key things to remember about each group of animals. The structure is simple as well. The video flows through the different groups by first introducing a piece of crucial information about each group and then follows with a bunch of engaging pictures. The Language conventionality and clarity is very simplistic and should be easy enough for all students to follow. Also, there are no prior knowledge demands needed to appreciate the video. I believe this video, though simplistic, is a great resource and will inform as well as entertain students.

Documentary: Planet Earth

Planet Earth. BBC. 5 Mar. 2006. Television.

This documentary series is extremely enjoyable and very factual. I know for a fact that high school students find it interesting and pleasurable. The video includes vivid imagery that entrances its viewers. In addition, the narrator has a very pleasant voice that soothes the audience.

Qualitative Analysis of Planet Earth

The levels of meaning in Planet Earth are easy to understand. The narrators descriptions are simple and informative at the same time. He also speaks in slow and clear voice that is easy to follow. The structure of Planet Earth divides it into several DVDs that each focus on a different geographical location. Obviously there would not be enough time to watch al the DVDs so I would choose the one that covers all the regions, “From Pole to Pole”. The language conventions and clarity are simplistic enough for struggling students to follow along while more adept students would retain the information being given. Since this documentary is informative there are few knowledge demands needed to enjoy it. I would use this DVD as a fun way of wrapping up the course. Perhaps I would provide popcorn and soda.

TV Show: The Jeff Corwin Experience

The Jeff Corwin Experience. Disney Channel. N.d. Television.

This is a TV show that originally aired on the Disney channel. It follow wildlife expert Jeff Corwin as he explores various areas for unique and exotic animals. The show is very informative as well as fun to watch. Jeff perfectly combines humor and facts to create a very enjoyable experience. In addition, I have met Jeff Corwin on numerous occasions and can tell my students about those experiences.

Qualitative Analysis of The Jeff Corwin

ExperienceThis show’s purpose is to inform as well as

entertain. It’s levels of meaning is straightforward in its goal to teach kids about wildlife. The structure of the show usually follows Jeff in his search for a specific animal, with him finding many others along the way. The language he uses is simplistic enough for children to follow but also full of scientific words which he explains. He also has a lot of jokes that children probably do not get but that 9th graders would enjoy. No prior knowledge is needed to enjoy this show. In addition, the show has many episodes which focus on specific groups of vertebrates.

Website: Quizlet"Quizlet." Science Vertebrate Study Guide Flashcards. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2012. <http://quizlet.com/225189/science-vertebrate-study-guide-

flash-cards/>.

This is a great resource for studying before an exam. The site provides online flashcards that can be used to study for a wide range of topics. The site offers a science vertebrate study guide. In addition to flashcards, the site also has a section that teaches how to spell complex science words, a practice test, and games that all aim to teach about vertebrates.

Qualitative Analysis of Quizlet

The Levels of meaning and purpose of this site are very straightforward, to teach you about vertebrates. This site can be beneficial to all types of students, offering practice tests to the more advance students while also offering various study guides for struggling students. The structure is easy to follow. It has clearly labeled buttons that lead the student to its various resources. The language conventionality and clarity suits all types of students. For above average and average students it simply offers the words with definitions. For the struggling students it actually helps to teach you how to spell the words. If you have prior knowledge of vertebrates this site can be used to test your knowledge. Also, if you do not have much prior knowledge this site can help you to learn about vertebrates. I would recommend all my students use this site as a study resource.

THE END!

This is a picture of an adorable cheetah cub. Just cause.