Ms. Waltrip's Webquest 

Introduction	Task	Process       Evaluation	Conclusion

Introduction

Would you like to have your own pet, but your mom and dad do not think you 
are ready for the responsibility? In this webquest you will research three 
different pets and the requirements for their care to present to your 
parents.

Task

Imagine that you are getting ready to ask your parents if you can get a pet 
dog, cat, or guinea pig. Before asking your parents, you will need to be prepared 
to answer questions about the pet of your choice and how to properly care for 
it. To find out about the animals you are interested in having as a pet, you 
will need to go to the sites listed in the process section of this webquest 
and learn about each of them.  After you have researched each of the animals 
and made a list of pros and cons on them, then you will talk with 
your parents about the animal you want to have as a pet. 

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Process

1. First, make a four column chart on a sheet of paper. In the first column, 
write the animal (dog, cat, guinea pig). In the second column, write how you would take care of that animal. 

In the third column, highlight a the advantages of having that animal as a pet. In the last column, 
highlight the disadvantages of having this animal as a pet. 
 
2. Second, go to the following website to learn about proper care for dogs:
http://www.loveyourdog.com

3. Third, list the information you obtained from the website about dogs on 
the chart you created. 

4. Fourth, go to the following website to learn about proper care for cats:
http://www.catchannel.com/kids

5. Fifth, add the information you obtained from the website about cats on 
the chart you created.

6. Sixth, go to the following website to learn about proper care for guinea pigs:
http://freewebs.com/aaguineapigs/guineapigs.htm

7. Seventh, add the information you obtained from the website about guinea pigs on 
the chart you created.

8. Finally, review the information you recorded on your chart and decide which 
animal you think would be the best pet for your family.
Write a brief three paragraph essay with an introduction, body, and 
conclusion that discusses the pet you would like to have and the reasons why. 
This essay will be presented to your parents, along with the chart you made.

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Evaluation

Ms. Waltrip's 3 point Rubric:

3 pts. - Minimum of four items for each animal in each column including care, 
advantages, and disadvantages. Three paragraph essay that includes why you 
have chosen this pet.

2 pts. - Minimum of two items for each animal in each column including care, 
advantages, and disadvantages. One paragraph about why you have chosen this 
pet.

1 pt. - Minimal items (1 or less) for each animal in each column including 
care, advantages, and disadvantages. No paragraph on why you have chosen this 
pet. 

0 pt. - No chart, essay, paragraph, or sentence created or website visited.

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Conclusion

You've done it! Take a look at your information recorded on the chart and 
present and decide what animal (dog, cat, or bird) would be the best pet for 
you and your family. Once you have chosen an animal, show your parents the 
information you collected and tell them the animal that you think would be 
most appropriate for your family. Let your parents take some time to look at 
your chart and make an informed decision about your request. 

*Remember: The answer your parents give is final. There will be no whining or 
begging to get a different answer out of them. Your parents decision, like 
your webquest, was made with much thinking and should not be questioned.

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