Happy Habitats
A WebQuest
Created by Mrs. Nase

Introduction
Have you ever wondered why an animal lives where it lives?  Does what an animal eats make a difference in where it lives?  Do animals’ bodies change to make it easier to live there?

You will be able to find out the answers to all of these questions because your class has been chosen to help create a new zoo for our city.  You will need to find out about these animals and their habitats in order to design the perfect new home for the animals that will live at the zoo.

 

Task

Our city has plans to build a new zoo.  This zoo will not only house animals that are native to Georgia, but animals that come from other areas of the world.  You and your fellow scientists have been chosen to research information about animals and their habitats for the new zoo.  Several animals have already been chosen by another committee.  As scientists, your role in this WebQuest is to choose one of these animals, research it, and design an appropriate habitat for the animal.  You will create a drawing of the animal and its habitat in Kid Pix and present your design to the "city". The other students in your class will be the "citizens".

 

Process

 You will choose an animal to research for the zoo.  Scroll down to the 
      "Choose Your Animal" section and click on the animal you would like to 
       research.  Some of these animals will be native to Georgia and some will 
       not.

  You will need to find out the answers to the questions on the Animal 
       Research Page.  As you record your answers, begin to think about what 
       kind of habitat you might design for his animal.  Will your animal need a 
       special building for its habitat?  Will your animal need special food that 
       can't be found in Georgia?   If so, where will the food come from?  Think 
       about these things as you plan your habitat design.
  Once you have completed the first part of your research, click on the 
       Habitats link and research information about the habitat of your animal.  
       Record your findings on the Animal Research Page.  Pay close attention to
       whether or not this animal can live in Georgia's climate or if a special
       place will need to be built to "create" that habitat in the new zoo.

  Use your animal research page to design an appropriate environment for 
       your animal using Kid Pix.   On your Kid Pix picture, you will need to include
       all of the items listed on the checklist.  These items include 
     *  Your name 
     *  The name of your animal
     *  A picture of your animal
     *  A picture of your animal's natural habitat
     *  A picture of plants in the animal's natural habitat
     *  A picture of what the animal eats and drinks (within the habitat)
     *  A picture of shelter the animal uses in the habitat
     *  A picture of a predator the animal might have

  You will share your drawing of the habitat with the "city".

  After you have presented your habitat, you will complete a self-
       assessment.  Your overall project will be graded based on a rubric. Your
       final grade will be determined from the rubric.

This WebQuest will take approximately
3 Specials classes to complete.

Week 1:  Begin the RESEARCH

Week 2:  Complete the RESEARCH and begin the HABITAT DESIGN

Week 3:  Complete the HABITAT DESIGN and PRESENT your habitat design to
           the "city"

Choose Your Animal

You will need to choose an animal from this page that you will research.  Click on the links below to learn more about the animal you choose.  Read through the information and answer the questions on the Animal Research Page.  Show your teacher your completed Research Page before beginning on the Kid Pix drawing of the habitat.

Below is a link to take
you to different kinds of habitats.

Habitats

Research Questions

Answer the following questions (write the answers on your Animal Research Page): 
    1.  What is your animal?
     2.  What animal group does it belong to?
     3.  What does your animal eat?
     4.  What does your animal use for shelter?
     5.  What are your animal's predators (enemies)?
     6.  What habitat does your animal live in?
     7.  Describe the habitat using the items below.
         A.  Describe the temperature of the habitat.
         B.  What plants grow in the habitat?
         C.  Where does the source of water in the habitat come from?

 Use the links in the Choose Your Animal section to help you.  Then use the information from the habitat website to help you design your animal's habitat.

Remember: Your Kid Pix picture must include everything on the checklist.  Be sure to double check the checklist so that you do not leave anything out.

Conclusion

You have successfully researched and designed a new home for our brand new zoo animals.  Good job scientists!  Your research information will be given to the zoo directors to help them build the new zoo.

If you'd like to learn more about animals visit the other websites from the Choose Your Animal section on this page or check out some books from our Media Center or the Newnan Public Library.

Assessments and Rubrics

This WebQuest is worth a maximum of 100 points total.  Your points will be based on the rubric.  There are 4 categories on the rubric.  You can earn up to 3 points in each category.  The categories are

1)  Research

2)  Following Guidelines

3)  Quality and Creativity

4)  Self-Assessment

The 12 points will be converted to a score as follows:

Rubric Points Score Letter Grade Animal Expert Level
12-11 points 100-92% A Zoologist
10 points 83% B Zoo Keeper
9 points 75% C Trainer
8 points and below 67% F Grounds Keeper

The GPS covered in this 3rd Grade Habitat WebQuest include, but are not limited to, the following:
 

S3L1 Students will investigate the habitats of different organisms and the
dependence of organisms on their habitat.

     a. Differentiate between habitats of Georgia (mountains, marsh/swamp, coast,
         Piedmont, Atlantic Ocean) and the organisms that live there.

     c. Identify features of animals that allow them to live and thrive in different
         regions of Georgia.

S3CS3  Students will use tools and instruments for observing, measuring, and
manipulating objects in scientific activities utilizing safe laboratory procedures.

     b. Use computers, cameras, and recording devices for capturing information.

S3CS5 Students will communicate scientific ideas and activities clearly

     b. Make sketches to aid in explaining scientific procedures and ideas.     
     d. Locate scientific information in reference books, back issues of newspapers
         and magazines, CD-ROMs, and computer databases.

S3CS7 Students will question scientific claims and arguments effectively.

     a. Support statements with facts found in books, articles, and databases, and
         identify the sources used.

Essential Questions

1. What is a habitat?

2. How do the characteristics of the habitat determine the organisms that live there?

3. How do an animal’s features and/or characteristics allow it to live and thrive in its
    habitat?

4. How do changes in a habitat affect the organisms living there?

 

 

  

 

 

 

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