The Animal Inquiry interactive is a versatile tool that can enhance student inquiry in research at the elementary level. The graphic organizer invites students to explore four facets of animals [basic facts, animal babies, interaction with others, and habitats (shown at left)]; the possibilities for extensions or adaptations, moreover, make this a a nice complement with inquiry-based projects. The follow-up writing prompts can be used to organize research questions as well as to record findings. After completing individual sections or the entire organizer, students have the ability to print out their final versions for feedback and assessment.

Visit this interactive tool at: http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/animal-inquiry/.

ReadWriteThink Lessons That Use This Tool

Animal Study: From Fiction to Facts (K-2)
Students listen to matching fiction and nonfiction read-alouds and explore selected Web sites to identify factual information about animals. To complete their exploration, students predict, question, confirm, and record information about one animal. This lesson plan focuses on ants, but the project can easily be adapted to any animal of interest. Resources are included for ants, black bears, fish, frogs and toads, penguins, and polar bears.

Investigating Animals: Using Nonfiction for Inquiry-based Research (K-2)
Students document their discoveries as they explore nonfiction, informational texts to investigate favorite animals. The lesson includes whole-group explorations and paired experiences between kindergarten students and upper-grade students.

Predicting and Gathering Information With Nonfiction Texts (K-2)
The purpose of this lesson is to introduce second-grade students to nonfiction with an African Savanna theme. The lesson focuses on the purposes of nonfiction texts and how to use them to gather information.

Word Study With Henry and Mudge (K-2)
This lesson for second- and third-grade students uses a model that incorporates different reading stages and research-based strategies for teaching reading to provide direct instruction for the past tense marker –ed. Students also practice real reading and writing using books from the Henry and Mudge series.

Writing Reports in Kindergarten? Yes! (K-2)
This lesson encourages young students to see themselves as writers who have a message to convey. Three different types of reports are provided to show just what kindergartners and other young writers can do. Reports in kindergarten? Absolutely!