A WebQuest for 4th Graders

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Animals in the OUTBACK
A WebQuest for 4th Graders Designed by Christy
Nagy Roger Williams University December
2006    
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Developer Page

• Developer Materials
• Introduction
• Learners
• Curriculum Standards
• Process
• Resources
• Evaluation
• Conclusion
• Credits References

• Student Pages
• Introduction
• Task
• Process
• Evaluation
• Conclusion
• Credits

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• Introduction
• This curriculum material was developed as part of
  the elementary science methods course at Roger
  Williams University, Bristol, Rhode Island.
• I read the book, A Platypus, Probably, which
  discusses the life of an Australian animal as it
  hunts for food, mates, builds shelter and raises
  its offspring. I decided to make a web quest on
  Australian animals in general.
• The WebQuest itself if dedicated to the loving
  memory of Steve Irwin (1962-2006).

Developer Page
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Learners The intended grade level for this
WebQuest is 4th grade. By the end of 4th grade,
students should be able to report about
characteristics of organisms as well as their
life cycles and environments. This web quest can
be adapted for other grades if you alter the
overall outcome of the investigation. For
example, students could be required to only
select endangered species and discuss how humans
are helping these animals to not become extinct.
Before beginning this WebQuest, students should
have some prior knowledge about Australia
including where it is located. They should also
have some familiarity with reading maps and
making graphic organizers. More importantly,
students should be able to conduct simple
research using the internet even though the web
sites are included. Overall, this WebQuest is
constructed and organized in a manner which 4th
graders should have no problem completing it.
Developer Page
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• Curriculum Standards
• Benchmarks for Science Literacy
• The Living Environment Standard 5A - Diversity
  of Life
• A great variety of kinds of living things can be
  sorted into groups in many ways using various
  features to decide which things belong to which
  group.
• Features used for grouping depend on the purpose
  of the grouping.
• National Science Education Standards
• Life Science
• CONTENT STANDARD CAs a result of activities in
  grades K-4, all students should develop
  understanding of
• The characteristics of organisms
• Life cycles of organisms
• Organisms and environments
• The world has many different environments, and
  distinct environments support the life of
  different types of organisms.
• Each plant or animal has different structures
  that serve different functions in growth,
  survival, and reproduction. For example, humans
  have distinct body structures for walking,
  holding, seeing, and talking.

Developer Page
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Curriculum Standards (continued) Science
Technology CONTENT STANDARD EAs a result of
activities in grades K-4, all students should
develop Abilities of technological design
Understanding about science and technology By
the end of 4th grade, students should be able to
understand simple technology and apply this
technology to science. Therefore, students
should be able to perform research using the
internet and also be able to use designs such as
this web quest.
Developer Page
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• Process
• This WebQuest is scaffolded so students can
  easily progress through the assignment. First,
  students are asked to read an overview of
  Australia. Students are then divided into groups
  and asked to select a role. If students are
  unable to assign their own roles then the teacher
  will do it for them. These roles will familiarize
  students with different fields of biology.
  Students are then asked to research their animal
  and design their own graphic organizer. A site
  about different graphic organizers is provided
  for them. They are also asked to mark the
  location of their animal on a map to familiarize
  themselves with geography. Finally, students are
  asked to report their investigation to the rest
  of the class.

Developer Page
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Process (contd)

• Expected duration for this assignment is 30
  minutes for research one day and 25 minutes for
  presentations the next. This way, students have
  time at home to neatly arrange their organizers.
• I suspect that students will be unable to find
  some of the information that is required and also
  might struggle with marking the exact location of
  their animal on the map. I will encourage the
  students to help each other out in their groups
  and if problems still arise, then come and see
  me.
• This Webquest is designed so that all teachers
  can use it and so all students can use it with
  minimal teacher assistance. It would be very
  beneficial for an Australia unit.

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• Teaching Resources
• Materials Needed
• Access to computers/internet
• Map of Australia
• Colored Pencils/Crayons (optional if students
  want to make their organizers colorful)
• Paper

Developer Page
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Evaluation
Developer Page
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Evaluation (continued)
Developer Page
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Conclusion The conclusion illustrates what the
students have accomplished as a result of this
WebQuest including conducting research, marking a
map and selecting and completing a graphic
organizer. This conclusion also addresses the
content standards by mentioning how they have
learned about organisms characteristics and
environment.
Developer Page
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• Credits References
• Based on a template from The WebQuest Page
• Benchmarks for Science Literacy
• National Science Education Standards

Developer Page
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Student Materials

• Introduction
• Task
• Process
• Evaluation
• Conclusion
• Credits and References

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Crikey! The Crocodile Hunter Needs YOUR help!

• Crikey! Steve Irwin, the crocodile hunter and
  renowned animal lover needs your help! His next
  television episode will feature a variety of
  animals found in his homeland of Australia!

Credits References
Task
Process
Evaluation
Conclusion
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Task

• Television producers want to get the shows
  ratings at an all time high! You have been hired
  by the network to help Steve make this the best
  episode of all time!
• Dont worry! Steve will handle the animals
  however, he needs you to research information
  about the animals that he should discuss on the
  show.
• Steve loves all animals and not only crocodiles
  therefore you will have to find different animals
  that he can show to his millions of viewers.
• So take a trip down under and Happy Huntings!

Credits References
Introduction
Process
Evaluation
Conclusion
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Process

• You be will assigned into groups of 3.
• Each group member will read a brief description
  of AUSTRALIA.
• As a group, you will each select a role and
  research an animal of that role. You will be
  required to indicate on a MAP where your animal
  is located as well as design a GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
  that you will present to the producers of the
  show (classmates).
• The following information must be included about
  this animal
• Physical characteristics
• Habitat
• What it eats
• How it reproduces and raises its young
• Interesting Facts
• This is one role for each group member. The roles
  are listed below.
• Mammalogist
• As a mammalogist, your job is to study mammals.
  Mammals are warm blooded animals with hair and
  (females) secrete milk for their young. Select an
  Australian mammal.

Credits References
Introduction
Task
Evaluation
Conclusion
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Process (contd)

• Ornithologist
• As an orthinologist, your job is to study birds.
  Some birds have wings but can not fly. Select an
  Australian bird.
• Herpetologist
• As a herpetologist, your job is to study
  reptiles. A reptile is a cold-blooded animal
  that lays eggs and has scales or plates on its
  skin. Select an Australian reptile.
• The websites listed below will help you select an
  animal for your specific category.
• Australian Zoo
• This will direct you to the Australian Zoo
  website which lists some animals according to
  their category.
• Australian Animal Library
• This site will list animals according to their
  category however, contains very little
  information about that animal.

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Process (contd)

• The following sites will also assist you.
• Australian Animals
• This site organizers some Australian animals into
• categories according to their habitat.
• Koala Page
• This site not only talks about koalas, but also
  includes information about kangaroos, platypus,
  possums, wombats, lyrebirds, emus and echnidas.
• Unique Australian Animals
• This site will direct you to a page about the
  platypus however, located on the bottom of the
  page are links to other Australian animals.
• Animals Birds of Australia
• This site can be used to find a picture of your
  animal.
• Perth Zoo in Australia
• This is the site for another zoo found in western
  Australia.

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Map of Australia
?
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Evaluation
Credits References
Introduction
Task
Process
Conclusion
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Evaluation cont
Credits References
Introduction
Task
Process
Conclusion
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Conclusion

• Congratulations! You have become an expert about
  an Australian organism in a specific field of
  biology! You have learned about its
  characteristics, life cycle and habitat. Not only
  that, but the producers were impressed with your
  graphic organizer, map and presentation. You
  have found a lot of valuable information that
  Steve will most definitely include in the show!
  Steve and the producers thank you and will hire
  you again when the crocodile hunter visits
  Africa.

Credits References
Introduction
Task
Process
Evaluation
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Credits and References

• I would like to thank the following sites for use
  of their graphics in order to make this a
  colorful and engaging WebQuest.
• Australia Zoo
• The Crocodile Hunter
• Google Images (map of Australia)
• Geocities
• I would also like to thank the following web
  sites that helped me make an informative and age
  appropriate WebQuest.
• Australia For Kids
• Endangered Australian Animals
• Koala Page
• Unique Australian Animals
• Perth Zoo in Australia
• Animals Birds of Australia
• Australian Animal Library
• Australia Zoo

Introduction
Task
Process
Evaluation
Conclusion