WebQuest

CREATURE FEATURES

A WebQuest for 3rd Grade (Science)

Mrs. MacGlashan
macglashani@paulrevereschool.org

Introduction

What would you do if something wanted you for its dinner? Learn how animals protect themselves and find their food. They all have special adaptations that help them survive in their own environment. You will be working in groups to explore different adaptations in the animal world. You will then use what you have learned to create your own imaginary creature choosing what unique characteristics it would have to survive in its habitat.

The Tasks

You will have five tasks to complete:

1. You will find information on the web about animal adaptations.
2. You will share this new information with your group.
3. You will design your own creature with features to help it survive in the environment you choose for it.
4. You will write a paper describing your creature, its habitat, and the unique features you have given it to survive in its environment. You may write your paper in Microsoft Word.
5. Finally, you will make a presentation to the class sharing your creature.

The Process

You might want to check the rubric as you are working on the tasks so you know how you will be graded.

1. The teacher will assign you to a group of 3 to 4 students.

2. Click on the definition page to make sure you understand the vocabulary needed to complete all of your tasks.

3. Then choose 4 or 5 animals that you want to know more about. You may choose them from this list by clicking here or choose some on your own.

4. Get a research worksheet from the teacher and go to some of the sites listed below. To complete the worksheet you will include the name of each animal, a brief description of its environment, and some physical or behavioral adaptations it uses to survive. Please ask if you need help. The adults or other students in the room may be able to help you. You may work with other members of your group when you do your web quest.
Sites to visit:

enchantedlearning
http://library.thinkquest.org/J001644F/default.htm
http://www.yahooligans.com/content/animals/
http://www.ajkids.com/

The two sites below are interactive sites from the Shedd Aquarium.
The first one is 'Squish the Fish' and the next one is 'Build a Fish'. You may do these sites in the classroom when you have extra computer time.

http://www.sheddaquarium.org/SEA/interactive_module.cfm?id=8
http://www.sheddaquarium.org/SEA/interactive_module.cfm?id=7#

5. After getting all your information meet with your group. Share with the members of your group what you have learned about animal adaptations.

6. Next, you need to create a creature and give it a habitat and adaptations to help it survive. Your creature is something you make up and it does not have to look like a real animal.You should include at least two physical features that help it get food or protect itself. You can only give your creature characteristics that real animals have, for example, you can not make your creature invisible. You must use adaptations (characteristics/features) that you have learned about in your web quest.

7. Now make a rough sketch. Have the teacher okay it and then get the art paper to do your good copy. Use crayons, markers, or colored pencils. Draw with pencil first and then trace over and color in all the parts. Make sure you include part of its habitat so we can see where it lives. Put the drawing somewhere to keep it safe when you are not using it.

8. After the drawing is complete you can begin work on your composition. Get a graphic organizer from the teacher so that you can organize your ideas.

9. Write your first draft. Describe your creature (you probably want to look at your picture when you do this). Include the following ideas in your writing:

name of the creature
its habitat
at least two physical features (remember it must be something that real animals have)
at least one behavioral feature (remember it must be something that real animals do)
other interesting facts about your creature

You might want to compare your creature to one of the animals that you have learned about. For example, you might say that the creature has talons like an eagle.

10. Have someone in your group read your first draft and help you make it better.

11. Then have the teacher read your revised draft.

12. Make corrections and write your final draft. You may type it into Microsoft Word.

13. Decide what you want to say to the class when you give your presentation. You should include the following:

show the picture
tell the creature's name
tell where it lives
tell about at least two adaptations it uses to survive.

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Evaluation

Rubric - here is what you will be graded on for this project. You will receive a research, writing, art, speaking and science grade.

Beginning
D

Developing
C

Accomplished

B

Exemplary
A

Score

research

You have tried. You have written about 2 or 3 animals and have found at least 1 adaptation for each.

You have researched 3 or 4 animals and have written
at least 2 adaptations for most of the animals.

You have researched 4 animals and have written about 2 or more adaptations for most of the animals.

You have researched more that 5 animals and written at least 2 adaptations for each.

illustration

Your illustration may be sloppy, or lack color, it may not match your composition. It does show a physical feature.
Your illustration lacks color, it could be neater, or it doesn't look like what you described in your composition. It does show at least 1 physical feature.
Your illustration is neat, has color, shows two physical features, and it matches your composition

Your illustration is neat, has color, shows something about the habitat, shows two of the physical features, and
it matches your composition.

composition

You have tried. You have written about your creature and told something about it.
You have included the parts listed in the process. You have stayed on topic.
You have done two drafts.
It includes all the parts listed in the process. You have done a prewrite and all the drafts. It is well written using standard english. You have stayed on topic. It includes few errors in capitalization and punctuation. It matches the illustration.

It includes all the parts listed in the process. You have done a prewriting activity and all the drafts. It has more detail than required. It shows creativity. You have stayed on topic. It has been edited and uses standard english, capitalization, and punctuation. It matches the illustration.

content of oral presentation
You showed the illustration and told something about your creature.
You told the name, told about its adaptation, and have shown the illustration.
You have told the name, habitat, two adaptations and have shown the illustration.
You have told the name, habitat, two adaptations, some interesting facts about your creature, and shown the illustration.

speaking skills You talked about your illustration.
You talked about your illustration. You may have spoken too quietly, or you may have held your paper in front of your face.
You spoke loudly, clearly, and used standard english.

You spoke loudly, clearly, looked at the audience, and used standard english.

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Conclusion

When you complete your tasks you should know about animal adaptations. You should be able to present your finished product to the class and share what you have learned.

Credits & References

Creature Features from AIMS
Enchantedlearning
http://www.sheddaquarium.org/SEA/interactive_module.cfm?id=8
http://www.sheddaquarium.org/SEA/interactive_module.cfm?id=7#
http://library.thinkquest.org/J001644F/default.htm
http://www.yahooligans.com/content/animals/
http://www.ajkids.com/
http://school.discovery.com/clipart/

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Last updated on July 31, 2003. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page