Monster+Cards

Purpose:
Students will be able to classify objects using specific attributes.

Instructions:

 * Science buddy teams will come into the classroom and sit down. High school teacher will model a monster card and its specific attributes. Explain how an animal, such as tiger, might be grouped.
 * Break into groups to play games, preferably 4-5 second graders:1-2 high school students. Groups of second graders should be determined prior to arrival.
 * High school and elementary teacher monitor games.

Materials:

 * //Elementary teachers will provide://
 * Groupings of 4-5 students, list of names on a card for each group
 * 8 ½ x 11 paper – at least one per elementary student
 * Make a Monster sheet – 1 per elementary student
 * colored pencils and crayons
 * pencils-1 per student
 * classroom


 * //High school teachers will provide://
 * Monster cards (Available through ScienceOlympiadInc.)
 * One minute timer for each group
 * Set of game instructions per group

HS Buddy Instructions

 * 1) Students should be divided into groups with 4 or 5 elementary school students working with one or two high school students.
 * 2) High school students should become familiar with monster cards and directions to each card game before arriving at the elementary school.
 * 3) Plan for a 10 minute introduction to the project, time to identify attributes and classify monster cards by playing several games, and finally create their own monster cards and write descriptions.

Lesson Introduction:

 * __Monster Card Games:__** (Source: ScienceOlympiadInc.)
 * //Bare Facts//—rapidly analyze attributes**
 * 1) One player is judge. Shuffle cards, place top card face up, and start timer. All other players make written list of attributes (characteristics of monsters)
 * 2) No attribute may be listed because it is absent. “No neck” is not to be used as an attribute. No relational attributes either—eg. “Short hair” or “long legs”.
 * 3) Judge calls time after one minute, players stop writing attributes.
 * 4) Players in turn read aloud list of attributes of monster. Judge removes any that do not conform to the rules above. Each player’s score is totaled.


 * //Krazy Kinship//— identify critical attributes**
 * 1) One player is judge. Shuffle cards, place 4 cards face up on table, and start timer.
 * 2) All other players list the attributes shared by all four monsters.
 * 3) Judge calls time after one minute, players stop writing attributes.
 * 4) Players in turn read aloud list of attributes of monsters. Judge removes any that do not conform to the rules above. Each player’s score is totaled.


 * //Unique Uncles//—identify irrelevant attributes**
 * 1) One player is judge. Shuffle cards, place 2 cards face up on table, and start timer.
 * 2) All other players list the attributes that differ in the two monsters.
 * 3) Judge calls time after one minute, players stop writing attributes.
 * 4) Players in turn read aloud list of attributes of monsters. Judge removes any that do not conform to the rules above. Each player’s score is totaled.


 * //Monster Massacre//—rapidly identify examples & non-examples of given concept**
 * 1) One player is judge. Shuffle cards and deal out all cards clockwise. (Some may have more). Players hold cards face down.
 * 2) Judge defines a category of monsters by announcing 2 characteristics, either present or absent. eg. All monsters with beak noses and black feet belong to this group.
 * 3) Beginning with the player to the judges left, each player places is top card face up on table. If the monster belongs to the specified category, the first player to touch it scores a point.
 * 4) Player takes the card and places it face up in front of him to indicate a score of plus 1.
 * 5) If any player slaps a monster which does not belong to the specified category, he places the card face down in front of him to indicate a score of minus 1.
 * 6) The game ends when all cards are played out. Each player tallies his score as the number of face up cards minus the number of face down cards.
 * 7) Player with highest positive score wins.


 * //Make a Monster Drawing Activity//**
 * Each student will create, draw and color a monster using the attributes we discussed today.

Group Discussion and Follow Up:

 * 1) Why are attributes important?
 * 2) How can a scientist use attributes?
 * 3) What is one important thing you learned from today?

PA State Standards in Science and Technology – Grade 4
3.3.4.A Know the similarities and differences of living things. 3.3.4.B Know that living things are made up of parts that have specific functions. 3.3.4.C Know that characteristics are inherited and, thus, offspring closely resemble their parents.