WebQuest:
Protecting the Environment
by Ron Gittleman
IS 184, Special Education
Introduction:
My
class has been working on the different habitats in the world. The students are
curious about how to protect these endangered animals. The goal of this
WebQuest is to find the current policies on protecting the environment.
Task:
Raymond
finished the book Exploring Land Habitats by Margaret Phinney. Raymond
is a scientist who is trying to protect the animals in the environment. You are part of Raymond’s team. You have
several goals to accomplish. Hopefully you will help Raymond succeed in this
mission. Are you ready?
1.
Define
the term “environment” in groups.
2.
Record
the prediction of your group to the question, “how can humans help animals from
losing their environment”?
3.
Use
the resource section in this WebQuest to answer the following questions:
·
Name
three habitats that are in danger of being destroyed?
·
Name
three animals in each habitat?
·
Name
an extinct animal?
·
What
current policy is used to protect endangered species?
·
Do
you think this policy is effective? If yes or no, state why?
4.
Develop
a new public policy with the information gathered.
5.
Present
the new policy in a presentation to the other groups.
Process:
1.
Students
will break into groups and define vocabulary words and make predictions.
2.
Students
will begin research on the computer to find
the current policy on the topic.
3.
Students
will use the resource section to find information.
4.
Students
will present information in a new policy statement.
Resources:
PIRG
web site on protecting the environment.
New
York State Department of Environmental
Conservation
Ask
a Reporter : John H. Cushman Jr.
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/students/ask_reporters/cushman.html
enature.com
National
Wildlife Federation Homepage
Methods
to Protect and Enhance the land
http://www.ijc.org/boards/wqb/hab_summ.html
World
Land Trust
http://www.worldlandtrust.org/
Conservation
on Land
http://www.doc.govt.nz/cons/land/land.htm
Evaluation:
|
Rubric |
Below
Standards |
Meet
Standards |
Above
Standards |
|
Information |
2
or less Questions Answered Correctly |
4
or 3 Questions Answered Correctly |
More
than 4 Questions Answered Correctly |
|
Presentation |
Information
is not Presented Fluently. Background
is gray and there are few or no graphic elements. Many
typographical errors. |
Information
is Presented Fluently but needs more Sources
of Information. There
are few graphic elements. There
are some typographical errors. |
Information
is presented Fluently with many Sources of Information. Appealing
graphic elements are included. Very
few typographical errors. |
Conclusion:
The students will have a firm understanding of the various land habitats.
Students will be able to identify current policies affecting the environment.
Students will be able to create their own policy addressing this issue.