ACCELERATED
RESEARCH PROJECT
GOAL:

Write a 6 paragraph formal research paper on an animal of your choice from the endangered species list,
complete with works cited page and parenthetical citations.
MATERIALS PROVIDED:
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12 Steps Research Packet
Folder
ASSIGNMENTS (class time will be provided for many of these assignments):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Topic selection and questions (10 points)
3 articles about your animal to be turned in (15 points)
Thesis statement and topics (5 points)
Notes taken by article and topic to be turned in (15 points)
Outline (15 points)
Draft (15 points)
Works Cited draft (5 points)
Final paper (100 points)
TOTAL POINTS:
180 points
DUE DATES AND LATE POLICY:
Specific due dates and rubrics will be given as individual assignments are given. I will not accept any
assignment late without a 10% penalty for every day late. Printer problems must be addressed earlier than the
night before the project is due. If you do not have a working printer or computer, homework club is an option.
Also, a hand-written paper will be accepted.
TOPICS TO BE RESEARCHED ABOUT YOUR ANIMAL:
A.
B.
C.
D.
Origin, geographical region and habitat
Physical description and adaptations
Behavior (predatory or prey, social, parenting)
Conservation needs and efforts
RECOMMENDED WEBSITES: (YOUR RESEARCH IS NOT LIMITED TO THESE SITES)
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/index.html
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Animals/
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/index.html
http://encarta.msn.com/
http://www.defenders.org/
North America
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American Bison
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Cerulean Warbler
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Dolphins
American Crocodile
Bats
Black Footed Ferret
Black Bear
Bobcat
Burrowing Owl
Butterflies
Cactus Ferruginous
Pygmy Owl
Cook Inlet Beluga
Whale
Eastern Timber
Wolf
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Fisher
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Mexican Wolf
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Ocelot
Florida Black Bear
Gray Wolf
Grizzly Bear
Hawaiian Monk Seal
Hummingbird
Lynx
Killer Whale
Manatee
Mexican Spotted
Owl
Northern Spotted
Owl
Panther
Peregrine Falcon
Puma
Prairie Dog
South America
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Armadillo
Bats
Burrowing Owl
Cactus Ferruginous
Pygmy Owl
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Dolphins
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Ocelot
Hummingbird
Jaguar
Killer Whale
Mexican Spotted
Owl
Peregrine Falcon
Snakes
Whale
Wolf
Europe
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Africa
Bats
Dolphins
Killer Whale
Peregrine Falcon
Snakes
Whale
Wolf
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African Wild Dog
Bats
Cheetah
Chimpanzee
Dolphins
Elephant
Giraffe
Grevy's Zebra
Killer Whale
Lemur
Leopard
Lion
Mountain Gorilla
Peregrine Falcon
Rhinoceros
Snakes
Whale
Wolf
Zebra
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Red Wolf
Sea Otter
Sea Turtle
Snakes
Snowy Owl
Swift Fox
Whale
Woodpecker
Middle East
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Bats
Dolphins
Killer Whale
Peregrine Falcon
Snakes
Tiger
Whale
Wolf
Asia
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Australia
Bats
Clouded Leopard
Dolphins
Elephant
Giant Panda
Killer Whale
Leopard
Oragutan
Peregrine Falcon
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Bats
Dolphins
Kangaroo
Killer Whale
Koala
Peregrine Falcon
Snakes
Arctic and Antarctic
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Killer Whale
Penguin
Peregrine Falcon
Polar Bear
Walrus
Whale
Wolf
Whale
Wolf
Rhinoceros
Sea Otter
Snakes
Snow Leopard
Tiger
Tortoise
Whale
Wolf
Read more about the Endangered Species Act
ACCELERATED RESEARCH PAPER RUBRIC (100 POINTS)
NAME: __________________________________________
FOCUS (10 points)
_____ Facts support thesis (5)
_____ Each paragraph has a topic sentence and details that support it (5)
ORGANIZATION (10 points)
_____ Transitional words or phrases indicate a change in topic (5)
_____ Six indented paragraphs (5)
CONTENT (50 points)
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
Parenthetical citations: at least 4 (5)
Works cited page (15)
20 facts: no filler sentences (20)
Introduction with attention grabber and thesis (5)
Conclusion including thesis and final thoughts (5)
STYLE (10 points)
_____ Variety in language, sentence beginnings, and sentence structure (4)
_____ Formal, objective tone; no “I” or “you” (2)
_____ Expressed thoughts clearly; no overuse of pronouns (4)
CONVENTIONS (20 points)
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
Spelling, punctuation and capitalization (10)
Double-spaced (5)
12 font/Times New Roman (1)
Title centered (2)
Name, period, and date in the upper left-hand corner (2)
TOTAL:
______________________
Name: _________________________________________________
Period: ________________________
Research Questions (10 points)
My topic: ________________________________________________
My questions:
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Notes: Origin, Region and Habitat (A)
Write down 10 facts and place source number next to each:
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Notes: Physical description and Adaptations (B)
Write down 10 facts and place source number next to each:
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Notes: Behavior (C)
Write down 10 facts and place source number next to each:
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number:
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Notes Origin: Conservation (D)
Write down 10 facts and place source number next to each:
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number:
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Name: ______________________
Period: __________
Title: ________________________
I.
Introduction
a. Attention Grabber:
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b. Thesis:
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II.
Topic 1 : Origin, geographic region and habitat
a. _____________________________________________________
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b. _____________________________________________________
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c. _____________________________________________________
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d. _____________________________________________________
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e. _____________________________________________________
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III. Topic 2 : Physical description and adaptations
a. _____________________________________________________
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b. _____________________________________________________
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c. _____________________________________________________
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d. _____________________________________________________
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IV. Topic 3: Behavior (predator, prey, social, parenting)
a. _____________________________________________________
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b. _____________________________________________________
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c. _____________________________________________________
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d. _____________________________________________________
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V.
Topic 4: Conservation needs and efforts
a. _____________________________________________________
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b. _____________________________________________________
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c. _____________________________________________________
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VI. Conclusion
a. restate thesis and main ideas:
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b. offer final thought:
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