Design Your Own Animal Infographic

Short Introduction:

In this engaging lesson, designed for students in grade 5, we explore the world of animals through the lens of visual storytelling. Using iPads, students dive into a creative project that blends research, design, and presentation skills to showcase their favorite animals.

Learning Objective/Intention + Success Criteria:

The overall goal of this project is for students to research and visually represent fascinating facts about an animal of their choice using an infographic format. Success is achieved when students effectively combine accurate research, creative design elements (images, symbols, and text), and present their work confidently to the class. They will develop skills in research, digital design, and public speaking while learning how to structure information visually. This project was chosen to encourage creativity, enhance digital literacy, and make learning about animals interactive and memorable.

The Process:

The journey began with students selecting their favorite animals and conducting research using Safari on their iPads. They structured their findings into key categories—habitat, diet, behavior, and fun facts—before designing their infographics with Keynote. Engagement was high as students experimented with colors, symbols, and layouts, often collaborating with peers for feedback. The process culminated in a class presentation using Keynote, where they shared their designs and explained their creative choices. This step-by-step approach inspired fellow teachers by showcasing how Safari and Keynote can transform research into an artistic expression.

Reflection:

This project taught me the power of combining research with creative design to boost student engagement. A key tip is to encourage students to sketch their ideas on paper first before digitizing them with Keynote. If I were to do it again, I’d allocate more time for peer reviews to refine designs further using Keynote. To make it inclusive, I provided voice-to-text options via Apple’s accessibility features and differentiated tasks by allowing advanced students to enhance their designs. Assessment included rubric-based evaluations of research accuracy, design creativity, and presentation skills. Extensions could involve comparing multiple animals or creating a class gallery with Keynote.

Lesson Recap:

This project was a resounding success, with students enthusiastically sharing their infographics and receiving positive feedback from peers. The activity could be adapted for science (ecosystem studies) or history (timeline infographics) with minor modifications, using Safari for research and Keynote for design. Students were thrilled, often exclaiming over each other’s creative choices, and we celebrated their work with a “Gallery Walk” featuring their Keynote presentations. A link to this project will be added to the Learning Center for other educators to explore.

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