Animals are amazing creatures. There are mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, fish, and insects. They each are unique in their own way. They are amazing, but are they mysterious? The Manasquan Elementary School Detective Agency thinks so. The agency is looking for students to create mystery animal projects. You have been selected to act as a junior detective! During your adventure, you will collect clues about a special animal of your choice and present your findings to the class. Introduction

The Task

Your job as a junior detective is to choose an animal to research. Keep in mind, this is a mystery project. You will keep track of clues as to the identity of your animal in your clue notebook (Science Notebook). You will need information such as: the classification of your animal, where your animal lives, what it eats, and other interesting facts. You will then present the clues in a Power Point slide show for other students to guess your animal. The Manasquan Elementary School Detective Agency will then grade your project to see if you qualify to be a real junior detective with their agency.

The Process

1. You will work alone on this project. 2. Select an animal you would like to research and approve it with your teacher. 3. Use the website links on the next slide to help you find at least 5 clues and some interesting facts about your animal. 4 Record the clues in your clue notebook. 5. Create a Power Point slide with the clues about your animal. Do not tell the name of the animal on this slide! 6. Create a second Power Point slide with a picture of your animal and a few more interesting facts 7. Evaluate your project using the self-evaluation scoring guide provided. You may also wish to look at the scoring guide the Manasquan Elementary School Detective Agency will use to score your project. Make any necessary changes. 8. Present your first slide to the class. Other students will attempt to guess the identity of your animal by the clues. Once the animal has been identified, present your second slide to the class. You may also include more slides with information on your animal or additional pictures!

(The Indianapolis Zoo) (National Geographic) (Yahooligans) Websites

The Manasquan Elementary School Detective Agency will grade your project based on the scoring guide on the next slide. Remember to do a self-evaluation before you turn in your completed project. Evaluation

B eginning Detective 1 Developing Detecti ve 2 Accomplished Detective 3 Exemplary Detective 4 Score Animal clues in the clue notebook 2 or fewer clues are written in the clue notebook 3 clues are written in the clue notebook 4 clues are written in the clue notebook 5 or more clues are written in the clue notebook Animal clues on the Power Point slides 2 or fewer clues are included on the slides 3 clues are included on the slides 4 clues are included on the slides 5 or more clues are included on the slides Power Point slide show Slide show includes 1 or no slide Slide show includes 2 slides Slide show includes 1 slide with animal clues and 1 slide with the animal picture Slide show includes 1 slide with animal clues and 1 slide with the animal picture and extra facts PresentationNo presentation Presentation is unclear and/or uninformative Presentation is clear and informative Presentation is clear and informative, showing above average preparation Project completed on time Project not complete Project completed 2 days late Project completed 1 day late Project completed on or before the due date

Evaluate your work using the scoring guide on the next slide before you turn in your final project. Self-Evaluation

Animal clues in the clue notebook I have 2 or fewer clues written in my notebook I have 3 or 4 clues written in my notebook I have 5 or more clues written in my notebook Animal clues on the Power Point slides I have 2 or fewer clues on my slides I have 3 or 4 clues on my slides I have 5 or more clues on my slides Power Point slide show My slide show includes only 1 slide My slide show includes 2 slides, but I may not have all of the clues or an animal picture My slide show includes 1 slide with animal clues and 1 slide with the animal picture and extra facts Presentation I haven't planned a presentation My presentation isn't completely clear and informative I have spent a lot of time on my presentation to make it clear and informative Project completed on timeMy project isn't ready My project might be finished on time My project is ready to go on time Even Better! Good! More needed