Animal Adaptations WebQuest

 

Introduction        Task          Process        Evaluation         Conclusion          Rubric

 

 

                               

 

 

Introduction          

CONGRATULATIONS!  You have been named New Jersey’s Veterinarian of the Year!

Because of your good fortune, you are being asked for your expert advice on beginning a new state of the art special zoo; a zoo unlike any other. You and other winners throughout the country will be asked to assist on many aspects, including the environments (When you see an underlined word, click on the word to find the page http://tiger.towson.edu/users/ericha3/Glossary.htm, which has a lot of animal adaptation vocabulary.) needed for some species.

You have one problem, though. You are a doctor for domesticated and farm animals, not animals in the wild or animals that belong in the zoo.  You will now need to learn more about other animals before you can help design their environments.

 

                                                                    

 

Task

Before you can help the new zoo, you will need to learn more about different animals and their adaptations. You are a very organized doctor, so you have created a chart to help keep your information.

First, you will review what adaptations are.  Next, you will review some different types of adaptations. Click here to review.

Then, you will need to research a few animals, fill in the chart with the information that you find, and eventually submit your information, along with your proposal.

 

                                                    

 

Process

·      Now you can go to a few web sites to find what you need. 

·      You only need to learn about 3 different animals, but they must live in 3 different habitats.

·      If you have time and wish to impress the creators of the zoo, you may learn about 5 animals.

Click here to open the chart.

 

·      Here are a variety of web sites that you can go to for your research. Please read the description, so you can choose which one is best suited to your needs.

Resources

Creature World—You choose the continent and the animal. This site is easy to follow and lots of fun! It even includes some ocean animals.

Oakland Zoo-- This site has a lot of reading, but it is easy to find the adaptations. Do not read the entire explanation. You should only read the sections that you need to read, such as habitat and adaptations.

National Zoo— This site lists many interesting animals that can be found at the National Zoo. Although it is not difficult reading, you will have to make inferences to figure out some of the animals’ adaptations.

National Geographic-- This site does not have as many animals as the Zoo site, but there are some really interesting ones here. Although it is not difficult, more reading is involved, but inferences will have to be made here also. Click on the animal, and then click on fun facts. There are also links to other sites about the same animal if you need to keep searching for more information.

 

Evaluation—

Now that you have completed your task, choose one of the following creations to present to the owners of the zoo:

1.            Draw two of the animals you researched in their environments. Show their adaptations in your drawings.

       See the rubric

2.            Create a brand new animal. Design its environment and show three of its adaptations. Write a description and an explanation of its environment and adaptations. See the rubric.

3.            Write an essay about animals that you researched. See the rubric for information about what should be included and how long it can be.

 

 Conclusion

 The zoo is extremely happy with your work. Congratulations!

If you have more time, please click on this link to find out more and to show how much you know.

 

 

Rubrics

#1 Animal Adaptation 

 

4

3

2

1

Drawing - details

 

All assigned details have been added. The details are clear and easy to identify.

Almost all assigned details (at least 85%) have been added. The details are clear and easy to identify.

Almost all assigned details (at least 85%) have been added. A few details are difficult to identify.

Fewer than 85% of the assigned details are present OR most details are difficult to identify.

General Formatting

 

Unlined paper is used. The drawing is large enough to be clear (about 3/4 of a page of typing paper). Student’s name is on the back.

Unlined paper is used. The drawing is large enough to be clear (about 1/2 of a page of typing paper). Student name’s name is on the back.

Unlined paper is used. The drawing is a little too large or a little too small. Student’s name is on the back.

Lined paper is used AND/OR the drawing is much too small or much too large.

Drawing - general

 

Lines are clear and not smudged. There are almost no erasures or stray marks on the paper. Color is used carefully to enhance the drawing. Overall, the quality of the drawing is excellent.

There are a few erasures, smudged lines or stray marks on the paper, but they do not greatly detract from the drawing. Color is used carefully to enhance the drawing. Overall, the drawing is good.

There are a few erasures, smudged lines or stray marks on the paper, which detract from the drawing OR color is not used carefully. Overall, the quality of the drawing is fair.

There are several erasures, smudged lines or stray marks on the paper, which detract from the drawing. Overall, the quality of the drawing is poor.

Knowledge Gained

 

When asked about 4 items in the drawing, the student can explain them accurately.

When asked about 4 items in the drawing, the student can explain 3 of them accurately.

When asked about 4 items in the drawing, the student can explain 2 of them accurately.

When asked about 4 items in the drawing, the student can explain 1 of them accurately.

   #2 Animal      Adaptation

 

4

3

2

1

Drawing - general

 

Lines are clear and not smudged. There are almost no erasures or stray marks on the paper. Color is used carefully to enhance the drawing. Overall, the quality of the drawing is excellent.

There are a few erasures, smudged lines or stray marks on the paper, but they do not greatly detract from the drawing. Color is used carefully to enhance the drawing. Overall, the drawing is good.

There are a few erasures, smudged lines or stray marks on the paper, which detract from the drawing OR color is not used carefully. Overall, the quality of the drawing is fair.

There are several erasures, smudged lines or stray marks on the paper, which detract from the drawing. Overall, the quality of the drawing is poor.

Drawing - details

 

All assigned details have been added. The details are clear and easy to identify.

Almost all assigned details (at least 85%) have been added. The details are clear and easy to identify.

Almost all assigned details (at least 85%) have been added. A few details are difficult to identify.

Fewer than 85% of the assigned details are present OR most details are difficult to identify.

Accuracy

 

95% or more of the assigned structures are drawn accurately and are recognizable.

94-85% of the assigned structures are drawn accurately and are recognizable.

94-85% of the assigned structures are drawn accurately and are recognizable.

Less than 85% of the assigned structures are drawn accurately.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Explanation

 

Explanation clearly describes the habitat and all 3 adaptations. Spelling, punctuation, and grammar are all correct.

Explanation describes the habitat and all 3 adaptations. Spelling, punctuation, and grammar are 90% correct.

Explanation describes the habitat and 2 adaptations. Spelling, punctuation, and grammar are 80%correct.

Explanation attempts to describe the habitat and 1 or 2 adaptations. Spelling, punctuation, and grammar are less than 80% correct.

*     

Essay

4

3

2

1

Quality of Information

Information clearly relates to the main topic. Each paragraph includes several supporting details and/or examples.

Information clearly relates to the main topic. Each paragraph provides 1-2 supporting details and/or examples.

Information clearly relates to the main topic. Few details and/or examples are given.

Information has little or nothing to do with the main topic.

Paragraph Construction

All paragraphs include introductory sentence, explanations or details, and concluding sentence. The report has 5 paragraphs. Information may include 2 or more animals.

Most paragraphs include introductory sentence, explanations or details, and concluding sentence. The report has 4 paragraphs. Information may include 2 animals.

Paragraphs included related information but were typically not constructed well. The report has 3-4 paragraphs. Information is on 1or 2 animals.

Paragraphing structure was not clear and sentences were not typically related within the paragraphs.

Mechanics

No grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.

Almost no grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors

A few grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.

Many grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.

Organization

Paragraphs and information are well organized and have good transitions.

Paragraphs and information are mostly organized and have some good transitions.

Paragraphs and information attempt to be organized and may have one good transition.

The information appears to be disorganized

*