Have you heard of the Northwestern Pacific Tree Octopus? It is an endangered species and completely... NOT REAL! This hoax is a great way to introduce research credibility, accuracy, bias, and evidence to your students in a memorable way. Here's what's included as both PRINT AND GOOGLE options:
 
-Teacher Presentation Slides (to pull off the hoax and lecture afterwards)
 
-Teacher Lesson Plans & Outline
 
-Student research packet (tree octopus research activity, note taking, research checklist, tree octopus follow-up worksheet, research practice activity)
 
-Bias activity worksheets
 
-Tree octopus coloring sheet
 
-Save the tree octopus printable sticker template
 
*The following NGSS and ELA standards are met with these activities:
 
NGSS (MS-PS1-3)
Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information in 6–8 builds on K–5 and progresses to evaluating the merit and validity of ideas and methods. ▪ Gather, read, and synthesize information from multiple appropriate sources and assess the credibility, accuracy, and possible bias of each publication and methods used, and describe how they are supported or not supported by evidence.
 
ELA.7.C.4.1 and ELA.8.C.4.1 : Conduct research to answer a question, drawing on multiple reliable and valid sources, and generating additional questions for further research.
 
Total Pages: 20+
Teaching Duration: 3 days