Investigating Animal

Habitats

Third Grade Inclusion Class

Science WebQuest

Freshwater Grassland

Desert

Ocean Rain Forest

| Introduction | Task | Sources | Process | Guidance | Conclusion |

Introduction

Have you ever wondered why some animals can only live in a certain habitat and not others?

A large zoo is being built in your town and wants to provide new homes for animals from all over the world. Zoo officials require that the animal habitats in the zoo match natural habitats as closely as possible. You have been hired to research 5 different habitats and the animals that live in each one.You will gather this information by completing each task listed in the Process section. You will notify the zoo official of your findings by a written report describing the habitat and presenting an oral report to other zoo researchers.

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Task

The student will read and complete tasks using a WebQuest.

Tennessee Language Arts Content Standards, Standard 1, Reading, grade 3: The student will develop the reading and listening skills necessary for word recognition, comprehension, interpretation, analysis, evaluation, and appreciation of print and non-print text.

· Use active comprehension stategies to derive meaning while reading and check for understanding after reading

· Introduce informational skills to facilitate learning

· Develop skills to facilitate reading to learn in a variety of content areas

· Read independently for a variety of purposes

The student will identify characteristics of different biomes and necessary conditions for certain animals to live there.

Tennessee Science Content Standards, Standard 2, Interactions Between Living Things and Their Environments.

· Examine interrelationships among plants, animals, and their environments

Tennessee Social Studies Content Standards, Standard 9, Earth Features: The student will understand that the earth has many geological features that are constantly changing.

· Identify the earth’s major gelolgical features

Tennessee Science Content Standards, Standard 3, Diversity and Adaptation Among Living Things, grade 3: The student will understand that living things have characteristics that enable them to survive in their environment.

· Recognize that living things have features that help them to survive in different environments

The student will write a report consisting of information on 1 habitat and the animals that live there after researching and completing tasks from this WebQuest.

Tennessee Language Arts Content Standards, Standard 2, Writing, grade 3: The student will develop the structural and creative skills of the writing process necessary to produce written language that can be read, presented to, and interpreted by various audiences.

· Use a variety of pre-writing strategies

· Include editing before the completion of finished work

· Write for a variety of purposes

· Show evidence of drafting and revision with written work

Tennessee Language Arts Content Standards, Standard 3, Language, grade 3: The student will use standard English conventions and proper spelling as appropriate to speaking and writing.

· Demonstrate knowledge of standard English usage

· Demonstrate knowledge of standard English mechanics

· Demonstrate knowledge of standard English spelling

· Demonstrate knowledge of correct sentence structure

The student will present an oral report consisting of information on one habitat and the animals that live in it after researching and completing tasks from this WebQuest.

Tennessee Language Arts Content Standards, Standard 1, Reading, grade 3: The student will develop the reading and listening skills necessary for word recognition, comprehension, interpretation, analysis, evaluation, and appreciation of print and non-print text –

· Develop oral language

· Participate in creative resonses to text (e.g., choral reading, discussion, dramatization, and oral presentations)

· Summarize orally what has been learned or accomplished after completing an activity or assignment

· Give oral presentations about experiences or interests, using eye contact, proper pacing, adequate volume, and clear enunciation

The student will listen to his/her classmates as they present oral reports on animal habitats.

Tennessee Language Arts Content Standards, Standard 1.0, Reading, grade 3: The student will develop the reading and listening skills necessary for word recognition, comprehension, interpretation, analysis, evaluation, and appreciation of print and non-print text –

· Listen attentively to speaker for specific information

· Use appropriate listening skills (e.g., do not interrupt, face speaker, ask questions)

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Sources

Busch Entertainment Corporation. (2008). Sea World/Busch Gardens animals. Retrieved March 19, 2008, from http://www.seaworld.org/wild-world/ecosystems/index.htm

Col, J. (2008). Enchanted learning. Retrieved March 20, 2008, from http://www.enchantedlearning.com/biomes/

Hamilton County Department of Education. (2007-2008). Standard/alignments for 3^rd grade. Retrieved March 15, 2008, from http://www.hcde.org/media/pdf/items/194.pdf

Henry, K., Herron, J., Kiliany, G., & Nash, R. (2008). I know that. Retrieved March 21, 2008, from http://www.iknowthat.com/com

Kurtz, P., & Spataford, G. (1999) Switcheroozoo. Retrieved March 22, 2008, from http://www.switcheroozoo.com/games.htm

Missouri Botanial Garden. (2005). Missouri Botanical Garden net. Retrieved March 19, 2008, from http://www.mbgnet.net/

National Geographic Society. (1996) National Geographic. Retrieved March 15, 2008, from http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/earth/habitats/

T., S. (1999). Teacher files. Retrieved March 15, 2008, from http://www.teacherfiles.com/clip_themes.htm

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Process

You will work with a partner and switch roles as worksheet recorder and computer researcher when gathering information on each habitat. You are responsible for a written and oral report describing one habitat and listing 5 animals that live in that habitat. You will follow the tasks below to complete this project.

Task 1	Click Introduction to find out what your job is.
Task 2	Click process to read the tasks you will complete in sequential order. Review the rubric for this assignment.
Task 3	Click and print the Habitat Worksheet to record facts about each habitat.
Task 4	Click sites to use the World Wide Web by clicking on each website to gather information on five habitats and five animals that live in each one.
Task 5	Use the Habitat Worksheet to type a report about one of the habitats you have researched and the animals that live there.
Task 6	Use a computer application like Microsoft Word to publish your report. Remember to: · Use complete sentences · Use correct punctuation · Use correct capitalization · Spell words correctly · Use spelling/grammar check
Task 7	Read your report to the class of zoo researchers. Turn in your completed habitat worksheet and report to your teacher.
Task 8	Click on conclusion for your reward.

The Zoo official, your teacher, will be grading you on the tasks you complete using this grading scale.

Rubric	S	N	U
Worked cooperatively	I shared jobs and worked well with my partner. We solved problems together.	I could have worked with my partner more. We had some conflict and/or I did not share jobs as much as I could.	I did not share jobs and/or had conflicts with my partner.
Managed time wisely	I completed tasks in a timely manner. My project was turned in on time.	I had to be reminded several times to use my time wisely. My report was turned in on time.	I received several reminders but my project was not completed on time.
Followed task directions	I followed all tasks in sequential order.	I followed most of the task directions.	I did not follow task directions.
Completed all tasks	I completed all tasks correctly.	I completed 6 tasks correctly.	I completed 5 or less tasks.
Wrote a clear and accurate report	My report had complete sentences and was proofread and grammar mistakes were corrected.	I had some grammar mistakes. I could work on writing better sentences.	I did not have anyone proofread my report. I had many mistakes. I did not use complete sentences. My report was hard to understand.
Presented report to class	I read my report using expression and with a clear voice so my classmates could hear me.	I should have practiced reading my report before I read it to the class. Some classmates could not hear me.	I did not read my report.

Visit these sites to gather information on each habitat:

Freshwater

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/biomes/marsh/freshwater.shtml

http://www.iknowthat.com/com/L3?Area=Habitats

http://www.mbgnet.net/fresh/index.htm

Grassland

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

http://www.iknowthat.com/com/L3?Area=Habitats

http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/grasslnd/index.htm

http://www.seaworld.org/wild-world/ecosystems/info-books/grass-lands/index.htm

Desert

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

http://www.iknowthat.com/com/L3?Area=Habitats

http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/desert/index.htm

Ocean

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/coloring/oceanlife.shtml

http://www.iknowthat.com/com/L3?Area=Habitats

http://www.mbgnet.net/salt/oceans/index.htm

Rainforest

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/rainforest/animals/Rfbiomeanimals.shtml

http://www.iknowthat.com/com/L3?Area=Habitats

http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/rforest/index.htm

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Guidance

Reflection

Purpose

The purpose of this activity is for students to increase practice and knowledge of using a WebQuest and the internet as tools in researching and obtaining valuable information. Students will share tasks of reporting and recording with partners, thus developing cooperative learning. Students will read to gain information of animal habitats, complete a chart by using information obtained from a website, use information from a chart to write a report, and present an oral report to classmates.

Statement

Preceding Learning

Students will be introduced to WebQuest terminology and guided through a practice WebQuest before completing this assignment. Students will practice opening hyperlinks and navigating to and from websites. This assignment will be read, explained, and discussed to check student understanding before completing.

Ensuing Learning

The information learned from this activity should be apparent when students complete the tasks in the WebQuest, apply the knowledge learned by completing a worksheet, construct a written report, and present an oral report. Students should be able to use the knowledge gained in this assignment as a foundation on which they base additional knowledge on this subject in the future.

Debriefing

The experience of completing a WebQuest by researching using a computer will increase students’ knowledge of the internet and develop researching skills. The easy to understand format and sequential order of tasks should lead to a student’s basic understanding of the subject matter. By reading and recording researched information on a worksheet, students should be able to transfer information when writing a report and preparing an oral presentation.

Description

Students could be involved in the process of discussing and constructing a rubric. They could be involved in using the rubric to assess written and oral reports of their classmates. This lesson could include students working with cooperative partners to construct dioramas of the habitat they researched.

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Conclusion

The zoo official, your teacher, will check to see that you have:

· Explored each of the habitats listed with your partner

· Shared job tasks with your partner

· Completed the habitat worksheet

· Completed a written report

· Shared your research results with other zoo researchers by giving an oral report

You have worked hard by providing the zoo with many interesting facts and information on animal habitats. The zoo official has decided to reward your efforts. Visit this site for fun and games: http://www.switcheroozoo.com/games.htm

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