Questioning and Planning

Scenario

In the book Trouble with Tuck the Ogdon family makes the decision to bring a dog into their lives. That dog, Tuck, changes the lives of the family members forever.

The decision to get a pet should always be a family decision.  Your group will be working together as a "family" to pick the perfect dog.  Your "family" has decided that they would like to purchase a Labrador Retriever, a German Shepherd, or possibly another breed that you haven't seen yet.  Your "family" will be selecting a breed of dog to bring into your home.  Making a decision as a group can be difficult.

By the end of this lesson you will be able to:

1. Give several characteristics of Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and one other breed of dog.
2. Tell what led your group to select the breed of dog it decided upon.
3. Analyze the process your group went through in reaching a decision.

Plan and Organize

1. First, each "family member" will need to make a copy of the following chart on a sheet of notebook paper. As a group you will need to select a third breed of dog to investigate. You do not need to make that selection right away. You can wait until you visit the final two websites listed below. However, everyone must have the same third breed of dog listed in the last column of their chart.  Each family member should individually investigate each breed of dog and make their own Pros and Cons lists.
   
   

   Picking the Perfect Dog
   Labrador Retriever		German Shepherd		_____________ pick another breed
   Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons

 

The Task and Product

Picking the perfect breed of dog is never easy.  You will need to sit down with your "family" and make a list of the characteristics of each breed of do you want to choose from.  You will then need to compare the pros and cons of each breed and then select a breed for your family.

Your family is to make a presentation to persuade the class that your final pet choice is the one for everyone to choose.  You may make your presentation as a Power Point slide show. Each group member will be responsible for creating at least two slides.

Your group's PowerPoint should include at least:

• One title slide
• Six slides that show pictures of and information on each of the breeds of dog you are investigating.
• One slide that shows why your family members voted for your final pet choice.
• One slide with your group's names

Assessments

You will be graded on your individual work.

• Power Point Slide Scoring Tool for your two slides
• The content of your slide show

You will also be graded as to your group work.

• Power Point Group Presentation Scoring Tool
• Performance Task Assessment List Group Work

Gather, Sort, and Sift

Examine each of the sites below to help you in making your choice for a new family pet. 

Here are the sites you'll be analyzing:

You must also use at least one print source.  Use the link below to help you search for your print source in our media center.

http://grassycreek.warren.k12.in.us/media/media.htm

Synthesizing and Evaluating

1. After everyone in the "family" has had time to complete their list of pros and cons of each breed, it's time to have a "family meeting". In this meeting everyone should be given the opportunity to share the dog they like the best and the dog they like the least. Each person should share why they chose the breed they liked best and why they wouldn't choose the other breed. Everyone should listen to each others ideas even if at first you think you might disagree with them.
   
   
2. Everyone may not agree at first, so the next step is to talk together and come to a compromise about your family's choice for a new dog. One person in the group should record the name of the breed your group chooses and why.

3. Prepare your Power Point presentation.

How to create a Power Point presentation.

Reporting

When sharing time is called, your 'family" will report its results to the whole class. Each person in the group will share the slides they contributed to the group presentation, and the group will share their final choice and why they made that choice.