WebQuest

Decomposers

A WebQuest for 4th Grade (Life Science)

Nicole Quinn
nquinn1978@yahoo.com

MCj01405170000[1]

Introduction

Ever wonder what happened to the brussel sprouts that you hide in your napkin and throw away when your mom is not looking, or perhaps you are curious about the final destination of the oatmeal you scrap out of your bowl when your mother has her back turned to you at the breakfast table. Where does it go? Does is find a new victim a few houses down or does it hide around the corner, waiting to attack at any moment? I’m here to help you put all your fears to rest. Welcome to… the wonderful world of DECOMPOSERS!

The Task

· Learn, Learn, Learn… and have a good time as well!

· Create PowerPoint presentation with your group and email it to the teacher

· Complete a Internet Scavenger hunt pertaining to decomposers with a partner

· Collect data on the rate of decomposition and create an Excel spreadsheet on the information with a partner

Write a 5 paragraph essay explaining the project, description of the activities, learning outcomes, and personal opinion.

The Process

Now that you know what you have to do… Here is how you get it done!

Step 1:

First you'll be assigned to a team of 3 students...

1. View a PowerPoint presentation on decomposers

2. As you are watching the PowerPoint fill is the answers to all the questions listed on the worksheet

3. Meet with your group and discuss what you have learned

4. Begin developing your own Powerpoint presentation using the notes taken by you and the members of your team

5. Once finished, email me (your teacher) a copy of the PowerPoint presentation

1. Create PowerPoint presentation with your group and email it to the teacher

2. Refer to the rubric to make sure you added all necessary elements

Step 2:

First you will be assigned a partner ( you will keep this partner until the end of the unit… so play nice!)

1. Complete a Internet Scavenger hunt pertaining to decomposers with a partner

2. Using Google as your search engine, research all the questions asked and find the best answer to complete each one.

3. If you become stuck, you can bring your question to me

4. Refer to the rubric to make sure you added all necessary elements

Step 3:

1. Using the data collected of the past 2 weeks on the rate of decomposition, create an Excel spreadsheet on the information with a partner

2. Open the Excel program

3. In cell A1 – enter Rate of Decomposition

4. In cell A3 – enter Week 1 Day 1

5. In cell A4 – enter Week 1 Day 2 ( continue this until cell A13 shows Week 2 Day 5)

6. In cell B2 – enter Earth Worm

7. In cell C2 – enter Potato Bug

8. In cells B3-B13 – enter numerical value to rate of decomposition of the mushroom by the earth worm

9. In cells C3-C13 - enter numerical value to rate of decomposition of the mushroom by the potato bug

10. Remember the rate of decomposition is valued on a scale of 1-10 (1 being unchanged and 10 being fully decomposed)

11. Once data is imputed – click on insert and choose Line Graph

12. Choose a Line Graph that best displays the rate of decomposition

13. Save the data and chart to the computer and a floppy disk

14. Print a copy and turn it in to the teacher

Step 4:

1. Write a 5 paragraph essay explaining the project, description of the activities, learning outcomes, and personal opinion.

2. Using the data gathered from the PowerPoint, scavenger hunt, and Excel Chart explain the following

1. What are decomposers?

2. What is their purpose?

3. What environmental impact to they have?

4. Where do we commonly find decomposers?

5. What is the average rate of decomposition?

6. What did you learn about earth worms vs. potato bugs?

7. What was the process you went through to achieve your learning goal?

8. What was the most important thing you learned?

9. Did you enjoy your experience? Explain.

10. Complete your report (typed) and hand in by June 1^st, 2008. (late papers will be docked 2 points for every day past due)

11. The paper must be double spaced, Times New Roman and 12 point font

Evaluation

PowerPoint Presentation	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score	Scavenger Hunt	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score
Subject matter was understood and used effectively	Students did not added inaccurate information on decomposers.	Students added correct information, but only a couple facts.	Students added all information on decomposers and made zero errors pertaining to the information.	Students added all information on decomposers and made zero errors pertaining to the information and students added actuate information not discussed in the original PowerPoint.		Subject matter was understood and used effectively	Students did not answer all questions or answered many incorrectly.	Students answered all but a few question with nearly all information correct	Students answered all questions with minimal mistakes.	Student answered all questions with zero mistakes.
Visual Layout	Powerpoint lacked originality and graphics.	PowerPoint had interesting layout, but no graphics.	PowerPoint had interesting layout and graphics.	PowerPoint had interesting layout, graphics, and animation.		Visual Layout
Grammatical Structure / Spelling	Inaccurate punctuation, many spelling errors, many grammatical errors.	No punctuation mistakes, few grammatical errors, and few spelling mistakes.	No punctuation mistakes, no grammatical mistakes, and only a couple spelling errors.	No grammatical or punctuation errors and perfect spelling of all material.		Grammatical Structure / Spelling	Inaccurate punctuation, many spelling errors, many grammatical errors.	No punctuation mistakes, few grammatical errors, and few spelling mistakes.	No punctuation mistakes, no grammatical mistakes, and only a couple spelling errors.	No grammatical or punctuation errors and perfect spelling of all material.
Grade					____/12	Grade					____/12

Excel	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score	Final Paper	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score
Subject matter was understood and used effectively	Students did not added inaccurate information on decomposers.	Students added correct information, but only a couple facts.	Students added all information on decomposers and made zero errors pertaining to the information.	Students added all information on decomposers and made zero errors pertaining to the information and students added actuate information not discussed in the original PowerPoint.		Subject matter was understood and used effectively
Visual Layout	Powerpoint lacked originality and graphics.	PowerPoint had interesting layout, but no graphics.	PowerPoint had interesting layout and graphics.	PowerPoint had interesting layout, graphics, and animation.		Use of Microsoft Office	Final paper was handwritten	Student typed paper, but indents were not made, lines were not spaced, and words were not properly spaced.	Students typed the paper, but words and lines were not properly spaced.	Student properly and accurately typed the paper with zero mistakes.
Grammatical Structure / Spelling	Inaccurate punctuation, many spelling errors, many grammatical errors.	No punctuation mistakes, few grammatical errors, and few spelling mistakes.	No punctuation mistakes, no grammatical mistakes, and only a couple spelling errors.	No grammatical or punctuation errors and perfect spelling of all material.		Grammatical Structure / Spelling	Inaccurate punctuation, many spelling errors, many grammatical errors.	No punctuation mistakes, few grammatical errors, and few spelling mistakes.	No punctuation mistakes, no grammatical mistakes, and only a couple spelling errors.	No grammatical or punctuation errors and perfect spelling of all material.
Grade					____/12	Final grade					___/12

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have conquered the world of Decomposers. Now remember, when your mom complains because you have not finished your broccoli or fish, you can tell your mom that you are merely trying to complete the circle of life and “How dare she be so selfish to expect you to only think of yourself!” (I will deny ever having said that if any parents confront me.)

Credits & References

http://dianadell.com/Vocabulary%20List.htm

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