A Web Quest created by:
Andrew S. Basler
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teachers | Credits
The ocean is home to millions of species that interact with each other on a daily basis. In every ocean habitat, there is a food chain that connects every organism to another in a special relationship. The coral reef is an ocean habitat that has multiple food chains that combine to form a food web.
Within a group, you will research and construct a coral reef food web. You will then present your food web to the class, explaining each relationship and categorizing each link as a producer, consumer, or scavenger.
Your teacher will assign you a group. Make sure that every person in the group participates in the research and presentation.
Use the following website to research coral reef animal life : Ocean Oasis Field Guide
Decide which animals are important to include.
Construct multiple food chains with the chosen animals.
Combine the food chains into a larger food web.
Draw your food web on a poster board or other visual display.
Find pictures of your animals online or in magazines and include them in your display.
After the web is completed, label each animal as a producer, consumer, or scavenger.
Your class presentation should be between 4 and 6 minutes, allowing time for questions.
Your teacher will evaluate you using the following rubric:
Oral Presentation Rubric
|
Oral Presentation Rubric |
Possible Points |
Self-Assessment |
Teacher Assessment |
|
Food Web includes all three types of organisms and good organization. |
10 |
|
|
|
Presentation was well planned and coherent. Students explained which choices they made and why certain animals were included. |
10 |
|
|
|
Presenters were models of thoughtfulness. Explanations to questions where given. |
10 |
|
|
|
Communication Skills (eye contact, posture, clear voice, appropriate volume, transitions between speakers smooth, and all members presented) |
10 |
|
|
|
Stayed within allotted time frame (4 to 6 minutes) |
10 |
|
|
|
Total Possible Points |
50 |
|
|
All the animals within an ecosystem are connected through food chains and food webs. In addition, each link in that chain or web has a special placed. If the link is removed, the chain is broken. Understanding these chains can help us ensure the survival of the animals and the preservation of an ecosystem.
Grade Band: 6 - 8 life science
Tennessee State Standards 6-8
2.2 Examine the competitive relationships among organisms within an ecosystem
3.1 Recognize relationships within food chains
6.3 Demonstrate how food chains are linked together to form complex food webs
Purpose
To encourage students to find relationships between different organisms in an ecosystem. To promote the ideas of ecosystem preservation. To encourage students to develop oral presentation skills. To promote basic research skills.
Preceding Instruction
The teacher should first show the IMAX film Ocean Oasis (75 minutes), available through Slingshot Entertainment. The movie may be ordered at www.slingshotent.com . The teacher might also want to combine this activity with a study on environments, ecosystems, species diversity, or conservation.
Summerhays Films Inc. (2002). Ocean Oasis [DVD]. Summerhays, S: director.
Ocean Oasis. (2002). Ocean oasis field guide. Retrieved September 23, 2003 from http://www.oceanoasis.org/fieldguide/index.html
Tennessee Department of Education. (n.d.). Curriculum frameworks. Retrieved September 19, 2003 from http://www.state.tn.us/education/ci/cistandards.htm