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Amazing
Animal A Matter of Survival A WebQuest for 4th Grade (Science) Designed by Theresa Mckinnes
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits What are some enemies animals have? You might think predators, and you would be absolutely right! Some animals, like lions and sharks, hunt smaller animals for food. So, animals need to be able to defend themselves from other animals. An animal's environment might be it's enemy, too. Think about animals that live in Antarctica, in the coldest places on Earth and animals that live in the dessert, in the hottest places on Earth! Animals need need ways to protect themselves from their environments too. It's a matter of survival! In this webquest, you will learn about animal adaptations. Adaptations are special traits that animals have to help them survive and meet their needs. The activities in this webquest will address the following Alabama Fourth Grade Science Content Standards: #5. Describe the interdependence of plants and animals. *Describe behaviors and body structures that help animals survive in particular habitats. Examples: - behaviors - migration, hibernation, mimicry - body structures - quills, fangs, stingers, webbed feet
The Task You are going to become animal adaptation experts. You have been selected by the Mastery Committee of Scientists to become an expert on animal adaptations. You will work with two other team members. Each team member will select one of the roles and research your area of expertise to learn everything you can about animal adaptations. Your team will work together to select an animal and use the research findings to create an imaginary animal with the adaptations your team researched.
The Process 1. First, you will be assigned to a team of three members. All team members will read the animal adaptation information file. To access the file, click on the following link: http://www.learninghaven.com/science/articles/animals_and_adaptation.htm 2. Once your team has completed the reading, each member must select a role for the research. Below you will find the roles and a description of each. Each group member will select a different role. After selecting a role, use the links for each role to complete your job. At the completion of the webquest, your research will be turned in to your teacher. Roles: A. Expert of Protective Coloration What is camouflage? What is mimicry? Find two animals that have these special traits. How does each animal use the adaptations to survive? List of at least four other interesting facts. Links for this role: http://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/animal-camouflage.htm http://barratt.alpinedistrict.org/5/marrott/camouflage/index.htm http://www.frogfish.ch/frogfish-camouflage.html
http://www.nhptv.org/NatureWorks/nwep1.htm http://www.nhm.org/mammals/page022.html http://www.lpzoo.org/ani_front.php C. Expert of Migration and Hibernation What is migration? Links for this role: http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/animals.html http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/migration_of_animals.aspx http://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/animal-migration.htm http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312800/hibernate.htm http://www.saskschools.ca/~gregory/winter/win2.html 3. When all group members have completed their research, you will meet to share and discuss your findings with your team. 4. As an expert team on animal adaptations,
you will use the information you have to create an imaginary animal
with amazing adaptations. You will draw your animal on a poster and add
information that describes or illustrates the animal's habitat, diet,
and special adaptations it has to survive.Your animal should possess
adaptations from each of the expert member's research. As a team of
adaptation experts, you will present your work to the the Mastery
Committee (your classmates and teacher).
Evaluation Each team member will be
evaluated individually, based on your role, and contributions made to
the team. The evaluation rubric below shows how you will be graded for
this webquest.
Beginning 1 Developing 2 Accomplished 3 Exemplary 4 Score Conclusion Congratulations! You have
become experts on animal adaptations. Now, use your knowledge and
skills to play this matching game on adaptations. Have fun, and
remember it's all a matter of survival! Animal Adaptations Game: http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/eco_info/topics/climate/adaptations/index.cfm
Credits & References Credits: Special Thanks To: Dr. Edna Brabham, Auburn University; Auburn, Alabama (assistance in publishing) Jenny Gray, Auburn Montgomery; Montgomery, Alabama (assistance in web template and rubric information) References: The Alabama Course of Study Standards http://alex.state.al.us/browseStand.php Image: freedigitalphotos.net This webquest is based on webquests from: http://www.catawba.k12.nc.us/SchoolPages/Blackburn/winstead/ http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/education/projects/ Websites for Student Research: http://www.learninghaven.com/science/articles/animals_and_adaptation.htm http://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/animal-camouflage.htm http://barratt.alpinedistrict.org/5/marrott/camouflage/index.htm http://www.frogfish.ch/frogfish-camouflage.html http://www.nhptv.org/NatureWorks/nwep1.htm
http://www.nhm.org/mammals/page022.html http://www.lpzoo.org/ani_front.php http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/animals.html http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/migration_of_animals.aspx http://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/animal-migration.htm http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312800/hibernate.htm
http://www.saskschools.ca/~gregory/winter/win2.html
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