A WebQuest for 4th Grade Social Studies, Language and Science
Designed by
Ashley and Jan
Ashcartatlsu@aol.com
JMacNaug@lpsb.org
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits
There's a rescue afoot! LSU believes that
the skin oil of some poison arrow frogs could be part of a cure for a
rare type of cancer. You've been sent as part of a team including a rainforest
expert, a biologist, and a local guide into the rainforest to research
the frog's habitat and lifestyle. Can your team complete this mission?
The Task
The Process
1. First, you'll be assigned to research teams
of three students each. Each of you will choose a role from the ones below.
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2. Once you've picked your role to play, use
internet resources to find information you will need to contribute to
the team's success. Here are some websites to consult.
http://www.ran.org/ran/what_you/index.html
Information on what kids can do to preserve
the rainforest.
http://www.ran.org/ran/info_center/index.html
Offers several options for information about
the rainforest, action groups, and the RAN organization. This is a great
site for the rainforest expert to explore.
http://www.ran.org/ran/info_center/factsheet/01d.html
General information about the rainforest.
http://www.panda.org/kids/wildlife/idxtrpmn.htm
A great site for all three team members, this
site has information about the rainforest and many animals.
http://www.animalsoftherainforest.org/index.html
Information about animals that live in the
rainforest and about the poison arrow frogs. This is a good site for the
biologist and the guide. It also has links to sites about saving the rainforest,
which would be helpful to the rainforest expert.
http://www.rainforestweb.org/
This site has links about people who live in
the rainforest, information about animals and plants in the rainforest,
and links to site about poison arrow frogs. It is a great site for all
team members!
http://www.gn.apc.org/livingearth/rainforestDB/
This site will be helpful for both the guide
and the rainforest expert, because it has information about the people
and ecology of the rainforest.
http://www.rainforest.com/links/index.html
This site, which has links to information about
the rainforest, is good for the rainforest expert.
http://www.about.com then search under "rainforests". You can find information for all team members.
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/americas.html
This site has maps of countries in Central
and South America.
http://www.travelguide.lycos.com/
This site is good for the guide. You can look
up information about many different countries.
3. Once you have gathered your information, print out and make your cube. FIll in the sides with the information you found about your frog. In the Illustration box, put a picture of your frog. Include the name of your frog, the names of the people in your group, the frog's habitat and range, a description, and two interesting facts about your frog.
4. Make a presentation using Hyperstudio or some other presentation software. Each member of your group should be responsible for his or her own section of the presentation. Work on your title page and bibliography page together. If you use Hyperstudio, each section (country, rainforest, frog) should be at least three cards long. Include the information discussed in the responsibilities box as well as any other information that you think is fun or interesting.
5. This is your Webquest. Do your best,
have fun, and good luck finding your frog!
Evaluation
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Student Name ___________________ Teacher name: Jan and Ashley Score___________________________ |
| CATEGORY | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Knowledge Gained | Can clearly explain several ways in which his character "saw" things differently than other characters and can clearly explain why. | Can clearly explain several ways in which his character "saw" things differently than other characters. | Can clearly explain one way in which his character "saw" things differently than other characters. | Cannot explain one way in which his character "saw" things differently than other characters. |
| Role | Point-of-view, arguments, and solutions proposed were consistently in character. | Point-of-view, arguments, and solutions proposed were often in character. | Point-of-view, arguments, and solutions proposed were sometimes in character. | Point-of-view, arguments, and solutions proposed were rarely in character. |
| Required Elements | Student included more information than was required. | Student included all information that was required. | Student included most information that was required. | Student included far less information than was required. |
| Props/Costume | Student uses several props (could include costume) that show considerable work/creativity and make the presentation better. | Student uses 1-2 props that and make the presentation better. | Student uses 1-2 props which make the presentation better. | The student uses no props OR the props chosen detract from the presentation. |
| Speaking Skills | Stands up straight, looks relaxed, and establishes eye contact with the audience during the presentation. Always speaks in complete sentences. | Stands up straight and estabishes eye contact with the audience. Mostly (80-90%) speaks in complete sentences. | Stands up straight and establishes eye contact with several people during the presentation. Sometimes (70-80%) speaks in complete sentences. | Slouches and/or does not look at several people during the presentation. Rarely speaks in complete sentences. |
Conclusion
Once you've finished this assignment, you should have learned about poison arrow frogs, a South or Central American country, and the rainforest and ways to protect it. Can you think of some other things that kids can do to help protect the rainforest? To learn about other rainforest animals that may be facing extinction, you can visit www.animalsoftherainforest.org.
Credits & References
Frog pictures from www.animalsoftherainforest.org