a Web Quest by
Andrew S. Basler
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teachers | Credits
Every year, thousands of animals cross miles of land, air, and water for seasonal migration. These journeys can take weeks and even months. The animals complete these journeys without any trouble using their instincts and unique navigating techniques. Undertaking such a journey is a part of an animal's life cycle. There is a purpose behind each migration, and understanding the migrations can help us to better understand our world, and the living things in it.
You will be broken up into five different groups. Each group will be assigned an animal to research. Your task is to create a map of your animal's migration route, and learn everything you can about the migration, including how your animal navigates, and why they migrate. After you have completed your map and research, you will give a short class presentation, teaching the class all you've learned about your animal and their migration.
You will use the given internet sites to research your animal. In addition, you will use a Seach Engine to complete your own internet research.
Click on your assigned animal to start your internet research.
The five different animals are as follows:
Your teacher will provide you with the materials necessary to create your map.
In addition to the map, you need to provide the class with answers to the following questions:. How long is the migration? What distance? From what starting point to what destination? How does your animal navigate? Approximately how many animals make the journey? How many survive? For what purpose do they make the journey?
Your class presentation will be approximately 5 minutes long, including some time to answer questions. Make sure that every person in the group has a role.
If you need some help finding additional information on your animal, you should consult your teacher.
You will be evaluated based on the following rubric:
Points Possible: |
Self-Evaluation |
Teacher-Evaluation |
|
Teamwork (worked well together, everyone had a role) |
10 |
||
Map of Migration Route (helpful, complete) |
20 |
||
Depth of research (answered all questions) |
20 |
||
Total possible points |
50 |
Note that your grade is based on teamwork as well as answering the questions and drawing a good map.
Many different animals have adapted to different environments through migration. Some migrate to give birth to offspring, while others migrate to survive the winter. Whatever the reason, migration is a unique adaptation and understanding migration helps us to understand an animal's life cycle and how it relates to an environment.
Grade Band: Science, Social Studies 4-8
Tennessee Curriculum Standards: Science
Grade 4 - 2.1 Investigate the relationships among organisms in a specific ecosystem.
Grade 6 - 6.2.tpi.1 investigate how organisms may be affected by environmental factors (e.g., pollution, temperature/climate change)
Grade 7 - 5.1 Understand how organisms are adapted for surviving in certain environments
Tennessee Curriculum Standards: Social Studies
Grade 4 - 3.01 Understand how to use maps, globes, and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire, process and report information from a spatial perspective
Grade 7 - 3.01 Understand the characteristics and uses of maps, globes, and other geographic tools and technologies
Purpose of Web Quest: The purpose of this web quest is to:
a) Enhance a student's understanding of how migration impacts a given animal's life cycle
b) Promote internet research skills
c) Improve group cooperation skills through teamwork
d) Improve understanding of maps, their construction, and their uses
Preceding Events of Instruction: The teacher should first show the IMAX dvd "Amazing Journeys" (45 mins.) available at www.amazon.com . After showing the movie, the teacher should instruct the students on their task, and provide materials such as poster board and markers for map construction. Assist the students with any questions they might have, and give suggestions for searches using the search engine. This activity will take about 2 hours to complete, and can be broken up into two days if necessary. This web quest may be combined with a study on ecosystems, niches, maps, geography, etc.
Slingshot. (2000). Amazing Journeys[dvd]. Toronto, Canada: Imax.
Monarch Watch (2003). Migration and Tagging. Retrieved November 12, 2003, from http://www.monarchwatch.org/tagmig/index.htm
African Wildlife Foundation (2003). Wildebeest. Retrieved November 12, 2003 from http://www.awf.org/wildlives/4547
Whale Route (2002). Whale Migration. Retrieved November 12, 2003 from http://www.whaleroute.com/migrate/index.htm
Nutty Birdwatcher (2003). Migration. Retrieved November 12, 2003 from http://www.birdnature.com/migration.html
Christmas Island National Park (2002). Red Crabs. Retrieved November 12, 2003 from http://www.deh.gov.au/parks/christmas/fauna/redcrabs.html
Tennessee State Curriculum Standards (2003). Science Standards. Retrieved November 13, 2003 from http://www.state.tn.us/education/ci/cistandards2001/sci/ciscience.htm
Search Engine (2003). Google. Retrieved November 13, 2003 from http://www.google.com