City Wildlife

A WebQuest for 3rd Grade Language Arts and Science

Designed by

Erica Olmstead

eolmstead@centerusd.k12.ca.us

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits

Introduction

Did you know that you live among thousands of wild animals? No, you say? Actually, cities and other urban areas have lots of animals that live among humans. Some examples include: squirrels, moles, rabbits, skunks, and many types of birds, hundreds of insects, reptiles and amphibians. How do those animals survive among people? What do they eat? What do they do to protect themselves? Where do they make their homes? You are an urban biologist who will be informing your classmates about city wildlife.

The Task

When you are finished you will have Internet search knowledge, a wonderful PowerPoint to share with your classmates, and a report created on Word to share with your teacher.

The Process

1. You will choose an animal to study.

a. Please remember that it must qualify as City Wildlife. This is an animal that makes its home in the city or an urban area and does NOT rely on humans for survival.

2. You will research your animal using the school library and the public library and collect information about it on your research grid.

3. You will research your animal on the Internet using the teacher guidelines for a good Internet search (using Yahoo kids or Google kids search engines) and compile this information on your research grid.

4. You will create a PowerPoint presentation showing your classmates the information you’ve gathered.

5. You will collect all data to put into a report using Microsoft Word to turn in to the teacher.

Word Lesson

PowerPoint Lesson sample PowerPoint

Excel Lesson Excel Research Grid

Internet Lesson

Evaluation

Each assignment will be graded using these rubrics. Please read through them so we do not have any misunderstandings of the expectations.

Research Grid rubric:

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Amount of Information	All topics are addressed and all questions answered with at least 2 entries.	Most topics are addressed and most questions answered with at least 2 entries.	All topics are addressed and most questions answered with 1 entry.	One or more topics were not addressed.
Quality of Information	Information clearly relates to the main topic. It includes supporting details.	Information clearly relates to the main topic. It provides 1 - 2 supporting details.	Information clearly relates to the main topic. No details are given.	Information has little or nothing to do with the main topic.
Mechanics	No grammatical, spelling errors.	1-2 grammatical or spelling errors.	3-4 grammatical or spelling errors.	4 or more grammatical or spelling errors.
Organization of Notes	All entries were made in a clear and organized manner.	Most entries were made in a clear and organized manner.	Some entries were made in a clear and organized manner.	Entries were not made in a clear and organized manner.

Report in Word rubric:

CATEGORY	4 excellent	3 good	2 fair	1 poor
Paragraph Construction	*Topic sentence. *3 Idea Sentences *2 details supporting the idea sentences *Complete sentences	*Topic sentence *At least 1 - 2 details support the topic sentence. *Most details are complete sentences.	*Topic sentence is not a complete sentence *At least 1 detail supports the topic sentence. *Some sentences are complete.	*Topic sentence is just an idea - no sentence at all *There may be no supporting details. *Sentences are not complete.
Quality of Information	*You must have real information about your animal.*Must write it in your own words. (The report sounds like a kid wrote it!)	*You must have real information about your animal most of the time.*Must write it in your own words. (The report sounds like a kid wrote it!)	*You must have real information about your animal most of the time.*Must write it in your own words most of the time. (Most of the report sounds like a kid wrote it!)	*You must have real information about your animal most of the time. *Not written in your own words. (It does not sound like a kid wrote it at all!)
Mechanics	*100% Spelling. *Must have capitals, periods, exclamation marks, and question marks. (no other punctuation errors)	*Most spelling is correct. *Must have capitals, periods, exclamation marks, and question marks. (almost no other punctuation errors)	*Most spelling is correct. *Must have capitals, periods, exclamation marks, and question marks. (almost no other punctuation errors)	Many grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.
Neatness	Must be neatly typed.	Neatly typed with 1-2 mistakes.	3-4 mistakes, but is still easy to read.	Typed in a messy way so that it is not easily read.
Picture	Make sure it includes a picture of the animal.			No picture of an animal.
Responsibility	Report was completed on time.	Report was one or two days late.	Report was completed more than two days late.	Report was completed a week or more late.

PowerPoint rubric:

CATEGORY	4 excellent	3 good	2 fair	1 poor
Sequencing of Information	Information is organized in a clear, logical way. It is easy to follow. All steps are presented.	Most information is organized in a clear, logical way. One step seems out of place.	Some information is logically sequenced. Two steps seem out of place.	There is no clear plan for the organization of information.
Background	Choice of background is consistent from slide to slide and is appropriate for the topic.	Choice of background is consistent from slide to slide.	Background competes with other graphics on the page.	Background makes it difficult to see text and competes with other graphics on the page.
Spelling and Grammar	Presentation has no misspellings or grammatical errors.	Presentation has 1-2 misspellings or grammatical errors.	Presentation has 3-4 grammatical errors or misspellings.	Presentation has more than 4 grammatical and/or spelling errors.
Use of Graphics	All graphics are attractive and support the content of the presentation.	A few graphics are not attractive but all support content of the presentation.	All graphics are attractive but a few do not seem to support the content of the presentation.	Several graphics are unattractive AND detract from the content of the presentation.
Originality	Presentation shows considerable originality and inventiveness. All steps are well thought through. The content and ideas are presented in a unique and interesting way.	Presentation shows some originality and inventiveness. Most steps well developed. The content and ideas are presented in an interesting way.	Presentation shows an attempt at originality and inventiveness on 1-2 slides.	Presentation is a copy of other people's ideas and/or graphics and shows very little attempt at original thought.

Conclusion

You are a wonderful urban biologist. You have created a Word report and a PowerPoint that is clean, organized, and interesting to read. Thank you for all your hard work and effort. You should be proud!

Credits & References

Yahoo kids.

Google kids.

Material for teachers regarding Web evaluation guides: http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schrockguide/pdf/weval.pdf

http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schrockguide/chaff.html

http://www.infosearcher.com/infosearcher/articles/evaluatingweb1.pdf

http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Evaluate.html

Excel Research Grid

PowerPoint sample

Last updated on August 15, 1999. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page