Put the Title of the WebQuest Here

Where Do I Belong?

A WebQuest for 4^th Grade Science

Created by

Christie Willis

Introduction

I just received information from a local area zoo asking for our help. The zookeeper has just received a shipment of new animals at the zoo. The cages are not large enough to keep all of the animals, so they must release some of the animals into the wild. The zookeeper heard that we were studying ecosystems and the animals that live in them. He has asked if we would help him determine which ecosystem would best suit each animal.

In order to complete this task, I will be placing you in groups of five. Each group will choose a different animal that the zoo is releasing in order to determine the ecosystem in which it will survive. You must be careful and completely positive that the ecosystem is correct or the animal may not survive. Make sure you find proper evidence to support you disicion.

Quest(ions) and the Task

The task for your group is to research your animal to determine which ecosystem it should be released into. You will need to present your research information to the class in a way that will convinces us that you know where your animal will survive. Your presentation can be in the form of a power point, picture board or any other form that you think will convinces the class, zookeeper and myself of your view point. Use your best research skills and I’m sure you will provide us with the information we need.

Process

Now we are ready to begin our project. Remember you are looking for the ecosystem that your animal can survive in. You must do your research completely in order to find the correct ecosystem. Remember, the animals and the zookeeper are counting on you.

Step 1:

Your first task is to do some research on the four different ecosystems that the zookeeper has narrowed down for us. Click here to get the chart you will need to record your information for the four different ecosystems. Print four of the charts and fill one out for each ecosystem as a group. You must make sure you get enough information on each ecosystem to be able to determine the correct one for your animal. Once you get your sheet click on the words below each ecosystem to find out information on that particular ecosystem.

Rainforest Desert Tundra Grassland

Step 2:

Now that you have completed the review sheet on the four different ecosystems, you are ready to research your animal. Click here to get the chart you will need to fill out on your animal. Print the chart and fill it out as a group using the information you will find when you click the words below the picture of your animal. Remember to get as much information as you can in order to successfully compare it to the four different ecosystems.

Polar Bear Bobcat Squirrel Monkey Giraffe

Step 3:

Now you have all of your research done. The next task you must complete is to compare and contrast your animal to the four different ecosystems that you researched. Click here to get a Venn diagram to use to compare and contrast your animal to each of the ecosystems. You will need to print four Venn diagrams so you have one for each ecosystem. Once you fill out all of the Venn diagrams look to see which one would be the best ecosystem for your animal. Once you have a match, you are ready to begin your presentation.

Step 4:

Excellent! You have completed your research and you are now on the final stage of your task, the presentation. To begin your presentation, your group will need to construct a model of the ecosystem you think will be the best for your animal. Your model can be made of paper, clay, plastic, or real materials. You can even use a mixture of all of the materials if you want. You can make your model in a shoebox, plastic bottle, or anything that is around this size. Make sure it looks as much like the real ecosystem as you can. You may want to even print a picture of the real ecosystem. Click on the name of your ecosystem to get pictures you can print.

Tundra Rainforest Desert Grassland

Step 5:

Once your model is made, you need to make a presentation that convinces the class, the zookeeper, and myself that your group has choose the correct ecosystem for your animal. Make sure you use pictures and enough evidence to support your choice. You can use a power point presentation or a picture board to present the information to us. Remember we are counting on you to use your best research skills to come up with an ecosystem that is right for your animal.

Resources

www.yahooligans.com/content/animals/species/4179.html

www.yahooligans.com/content/animals/species/3897.html

www.yahooligans.com/content/animals/species/9785.html

www.yahooligans.com/content/animals/species/9796.html

www.gallery.yahoo.com/

http://search.gallery.yahoo.com/search/corbis?p=rainforest&r=all

http://search.gallery.yahoo.com/search/corbis?p=grasslands&r=all

http://search.gallery.yahoo.com/search/corbis?p=desert&r=all

http://search.gallery.yahoo.com/search/corbis?p=tundra&r=all

www.enchantedlearning.com/subject/rainforest/animals/Rfbiomeanimals.shtml

www.enchantedlearning.com.biomes/desert/desert.shtml

www.enchantedlearning.com.biomes/tundra/tundra.shtml

www.enchantedlearning.com.biomes/grassland/grassland.shtml

http://www.teachervision.com/lesson-plans/lesson-2281.html

http://www.teachervision.com/lesson-plans/lesson-4301.html

www.pampetty.com

Evaluation

The final grade will be based on your effort as a group, the model, the presentation, and your research skills. Your research skills will be worth 10 points, your model and presentation will be worth 30 points, and your team participation will be worth 10 points. Therefore you have a possible 50 points to earn on this project. Good Luck!

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score
Research Skills	Did not use websites to do research for graphic organizer, model, or presentation.	Evidence of little website use to do the research for the graphic organizer, model, or presentation.	Evidence to show use of website information for the graphic organizer, model, or the presentation.	Evidence to show use of website information for the graphic organizer, model, and the presentation. Used good organization.
Presentation	Presentation did not show why the ecosystem was right for the animal and shows no research skill. The model was not present.	Presentation gives some reasons to show why the ecosystem was right for the animal. Shows little evidence of research and has a poor model.	Presentation shows evidence of research used. Gives evidence to support the ecosystem they choose. The model was appropriate for their ecosystem.	Presentation shows great research skill. It completely explains why they choose the ecosystem. Has a good model with pictures to compare to real ecosystem.
Participation	The group did not cooperate. They showed little team effort. Did not stay on task throughout the assignment.	The group showed some cooperation skills. Some team effort was used. They stayed on task most of the time.	The group showed team effort and cooperation skills. They stayed on task for the complete assignment.	The group showed team effort and cooperation skills. They stayed on task for the complete assignment. They assigned team members different jobs to complete the task.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully completed you project and the zookeeper is satisfied with your choices. You have helped save the animals by getting them to their correct ecosystem. You did a super job.

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