A WebQuest Created by:
Andrew S. Basler
University of Tennesee Chattanooga
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teachers
Right below the surface of the earth, there are thousands of caves. Each cave is its own ecosystem with a unique beginning, formations, and life forms. Exploring a cave can reveal how living things interact with a non-living environment.
In your group, you will create a class presentation 6-8 minutes long covering all aspects of your cave topic.
Your teacher will assign your group a specific topic on caves. Each group must answer the topic's primary question. These topics are:
1) How are caves made?
2) What kind of rock formations are found in caves?
3) What types of animal life are found in caves?
4) What are some famous caves and what are their history?
5) How do humans interact with Caves?
Prepare a presentation for the class on your topic using the following websites:
How Caves are made: Website 1 | Website 2
Cave Formations: Website 1 | Website 2
Cave Life: Website 1 | Website 2
Famous Caves: Website 1 | Website 2
Caves and People Website 1 | Website 2
You may also need to find other sources of information in books, magazines, or other internet sites.
Decide which information is relevant to your topic.
Make sure that every person in the group has a role.
Make some kind of visual aid (poster, Power Point, handouts, etc.) to use during the presentation.
Presentations should be 8 minutes long, with 2 minutes for answering questions.
Groups will be evaluated using the following rubric:
Oral Presentation Rubric
|
Oral Presentation Rubric |
Possible Points |
Self-Assessment |
Teacher Assessment |
|
Provided depth in coverage of topic. |
20 |
|
|
|
Presentation was well planned and coherent. (Evidence of rehearsal) |
20 |
|
|
|
Presenters were models of thoughtfulness. Explanations to questions where given. |
20 |
|
|
|
Communication Skills (eye contact, posture, clear voice, appropriate volume, transitions between speakers smooth, and all members presented) |
20 |
|
|
| Visual Aid (creative, useful, illustrative of topic) | 10 | ||
|
Stayed within allotted time frame (8 to 10 minutes) |
10 |
|
|
|
Total Possible Points |
100 |
|
|
Caves are an example of the earth's changing geological features. Caves are also a unique ecosystem that contain a variety of life forms. Humans also have a long history of cave activity, from the early cave dwellers to the explorers of today. Caves hold great potential for finding new scientific and medical breakthroughs in the future.
Grade Band: 6 - 8 earth science
Tennessee State Standards: 8th Grade earth science
2.0 The student will investigate how living things interact with one another and with non-living elements of their environment.
9.0 The student will understand that the earth has many geological features that are constantly changing.
Purpose: To encourage students to learn about caves through the exciting use of the Internet. To encourage the presentation of data through an oral presentation. To develop basic research skills.
Preceding and Ensuing Events of Instruction: The teacher should first show the IMAX movie Journey Into Amazing Caves (40 mins). This movie can be ordered from www.dvdplanet.com and www.amazon.com
Learning Improvements: Students will be allowed to do independent research which should lead to a move away from extrinsic rewards to greater intrinsic rewards. Learning will be reinforced when the students assemble and evaluate the research they have done.
Big Picture Productions. (2001). Journey Into Amazing Caves [DVD]. Freeman, MacGillivray: Director.
Tennessee Department of Education. (n.d.). Curriculum frameworks. Retreived September 19, 2003 from http://www.state.tn.us/education/ci/cistandards.htm
Design 42. (2003). How caves are formed. Retrieved September 18, 2003, from http://www.design42.com/caving/formed.htm
McCarthy, Ed. How caves are formed. Retrieved September 18, 2003, from http://www.geocities.com/~caves/ed16.htm
Cave Pictures Online. (2003). Cave pictures. Retrieved September 18, 2003, from http://www.cave-pictures.com/index.htm
Kentucky Down Under. (2003). Cavers glossary and tips. Retrieved September 18, 2003, from http://www.kdu.com/caveglos.html
MIG Grotto. (2003). Cave life. Retrieved September 18, 2003, from http://www.caves.org/grotto/mig/learn3.html
California Underground. (2003). Cave life gallery. Retrieved September 18, 2003, from http://www.museumca.org/caves/onli_cave_life.html
Mammoth Cave National Park. (2003). Mammoth cave national park links. Retrieved September 18, 2003, from http://www.mammoth.cave.national-park.com/
The Lost Sea. (2003). History. Retrieved September 18, 2003, from http://www.thelostsea.com/History1.htm
University of Missouri, St. Louis. Spelunker. Retrieved September 18, 2003, from http://www.umsl.edu/~joellaws/ozark_caving/mss/spelunk.htm
Iowa State University. Human life in caves. Retrieved September 18, 2003 from http://www.eng.iastate.edu/explorer/topics/cave/people.htm