Hoo

Shall I

Choose?

Introduction – Task – Process – Evaluation - Conclusion

Introduction

Congratulations, you have just received your letter of acceptance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! It’s an 11-year old wizard or witch’s dream come true. As you look over the letter and its enclosures, you find a list of supplies and books. The letter states they “await your owl no later than July 31.¹” “Your owl,” you wonder aloud. Your mother replies, “Why of course! So you can send letters home!” So before your trip to Diagon Alley to shop for school supplies, you need to do some research to decide which owl is right for you.²

¹ J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, (Scholastic Press, 1997), p.51.

² J.K. Rowling, The Harry Potter Series, (Scholastic Press).

Task

As a new student at Hogwart’s, you will need to read about each of the owls to see which one will be able to deliver your mail from Hogwart’s to your home (Remember the trouble Ron’s owl, Errol, had!). Once you have chosen an owl, you will need to complete the activities, write a report, and share your findings with your classmates so they too can choose an owl wisely.

Process

· Read Owl Moon, by Jane Yolen

· Review the information on each of the owls

Northern Saw-whet owls

Snowy owls

· Select one owl from the list on which to write a report

· Research your owl using the Internet and classroom books

· Complete the virtual owl pellet dissection

· Barn owl pellet

· Barred owl pellet

· Eastern Screech owl pellet

· Great Horned owl pellet

· Long-eared owl pellet

· Northern Hawk owl pellet

· Northern Saw-whet owl pellet

· Snowy owl pellet

· Write a report that includes:

· Scientific name

· Habitat

· Range

· Voice

· Identification

· Diet

· Nest

· Behaviors

· Complete a coloring page for your owl (or get one from Mrs. Snodgrass)

· Complete the word search (please print out a copy)

· Share your report with your classmates

· Resources

· http://www.kidwings.com/index.htm

· http://www.owlpages.com/Default.htm

Evaluation

Hoo Shall I Choose?

Criteria	Uninformed Owl Shopper	Informed Owl Shopper	Expert Owl Shopper	Your Score
REPORT
My report is informative.	My report does not include all the required criteria.	My report includes most of the required criteria.	My report includes all the required criteria plus additional facts and information.
My report is well-written.	My report has frequent errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.	My report has some errors in grammar and punctuation, but spelling has been proofread.	My report is nearly error-free work which reflects clear understanding and thorough proofreading
I used the Internet and classroom resources.	I used only one resource.	I used two resources.	I used more than two resources including a classroom resource.
OWL ILLUSTRATION
My owl illustration is accurate and neatly colored.	I did not complete the illustration or did not color the owl depicting its natural colors.	I colored the owl depicting the natural colors but my work could be neater.	My owl illustration is neatly colored and it depicts the owl's natural colors.
OWL WORD SEARCH
I completed the owl word search.	I did not complete the word search or found less than 8 owl names.	I found more than 8 owl names but less than 16 owl names.	I found all 16 owl names. My word search is neatly completed.
WEB QUEST ACTIVITIES
I completed all the activities.	I only completed some of the activities.	I completed most of the activities.	I completed all the activities.
ORAL PRESENTATION
I am knowledgeable about my owl and able to answer questions.	I am uncomfortable with the information and only able to answer a few questions.	I am at ease with the information but can not elaborate.	I can demonstrate knowledge with explanations and elaboration.
My oral presentation is audible and understandable.	I mumbled, incorrectly pronounced terms, and the audience had difficulty hearing me.	My voice is clear and I pronounced most of the terms correctly.	My voice is clear and I pronounced all the terms correctly.

Conclusion

Excellent owl choice! Now that you have learned about different types of owls, see if you can complete the on-line owl crossword puzzle. Good luck!

· Owl Crossword Puzzle