Land Biome WebQuest

A webquest for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade environmental science classes

Introduction

Task

Process

Information Sources

Evaluation

Conclusion

Teacher Page

Your help is needed to save the animals! An environmental research center borrowed animals from habitats all over the world in order to conduct a study. Now, the animals are on a plane that is supposed to take them back to their homes but the crew of the plane does not understand the scientist's notes! Below you will find the paper from the scientist on the animals. Your expertise is needed to make sense of the information and create a map to help the crew of the plane get the animals home. Will you help sort out the paper mess and save the animals?

Task

Thank you for accepting the challenge!

You will be put into groups of five with other scientists in your class. You are your group members will need to do the following in order to get the animals home:

• Translate the scientific names of the animals listed on "Dr. Dolittle's Animal Specimens"into their common names so the crew of the plane can identify them.
• Research the characteristics of the biomes listed on “Dr. Dolittle's Original Habitats”.
• Research the habitat of each animal listed on "Dr. Dolittle's Animal Specimens".
• Match the animals' habitats to which biome its habitats belong in.
• Create a map of the world illustrating the 6 major land biomes (rainforest, desert, grassland, deciduous forest, boreal forest, and tundra) with pictures of each animal pasted in its biome and a description of each biome and the habitat of each animal for the pilot of the plane so she can get the animals back to their correct habitats.

Dr. Dolittle's Notes (PAGE 1)

Animal Specimens (scientific names):

 

Dendrobates azureus

Alopex lagopus

Vulpes zerda

Lynx canadensis

Phacochoerus aethiopicus

Ursus americanus

Dr. Dolittle's Notes (PAGE 2)

Original Habitats:

 

Rainforest Biome

Desert Biome

Grassland Biome

Deciduous Forest Biome

Boreal Biome

Tundra Biome

Over View of Project:

You have been assigned to a research group consisting of five scientists. Two members of your group will be zoologists, two members will be ecologists, and one person will be a cartographer. Each group member will have specific information he/she is responsible for researching.

After the research is complete, all the group members will come back together to compare information. You will take the information you have researched and work together to create a map of the world. On the map your group will put a picture of each animal along with its common and scientific name. Your group should have a description of each of the animals' habitats. A description of the characteristics of each of the 6 biomes should also be included.

Specific Steps:

Step 1 – Research:

Pick a research role and research the assigned information. Take detailed notes that answer the questions you area is assigned. Use the links under “Information Sources” to help you find the need information.

Research Roles:

Zoologists – You are a scientist who studies animals. Your task is to research:

• the common names of each animal listed on "Dr. Dolittle's Animal Specimens" based on the scientific names given.
• the habitat of each of the animals.
• Pictures of each animal.

Ecologists – you are a scientist who studies the environment. Your task is to research:

• What is a biome?  
• The characteristics of the 6 major land biomes:
  • rainforest
  • desert
  • grassland
  • deciduousforest
  • boreal forest
  • tundra.
• Information that you need to know about each biome is:
  • the amount of precipitation the area has in a year
  • the temperature range
  • the types of vegetation (common plants found there)
  • common animals found there

Cartographer– You are a map maker and therefore, a map expert. Your task is to research a biome map:

• Find a biome map that has at least the following six biomes on it: rainforest, desert, grassland, deciduous forest, boreal forest, and tundra.
• Create a map key that will go on your groups map that includes the correct color you will be coloring each biome and each biomes name.

Step 2 - Combining Information:

After each group member has researched their portion of the information, you will join back together and compare information. Organize the information so you can begin your project. You will then work to create a map for the pilot of the plane to use to get the animals back to their homes.

Step 3 - Creating the map:

You are going to create a map together using the information you researched. The map has to be an easily readable reference tool for the crew of the plane to get the animals back home. Remember to look at the project evaluation as you go along so you know what has to be included and how it is being graded. Follow the guidelines listed below.

Map should be:

• Created on a 28” x 22” piece of white poster board.
• Fill the entire piece of poster board with the map and researched information.
• Include all 7 continents and 5 oceans with their names.
• Color the map based on the biomes of the world.
• Have a key on your map with the names of the biomes and the color used to distinguish them on the map.
• Include a picture (either drawn, from a magazine, or internet) of each of the six animals on the map. The animals' pictures should be placed in the biomes that they live in.
• By each animal you should have the following information:
• Scientific name
• Common name
• Description of habitat.
• Descriptions of the characteristics for each of the six biomes.
• Information on your map should be typed and correctly spelled. Information should be grouped together appropriately and displayed in an organized manner. Be careful with your placement of information. You do not want to interfere with viewing the map.

 

Use the following websites to help you find the information you need to complete your research.

Biomes Characteristics:

• www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome
• www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/biomes.html
• http://ths.sps.lane.edu/biomes/index1.html

Biome Map:

• www.worldbiomes.com/biomes_map.htm

Animals:

• www.nashvillezoo.org/blfrog.htm
• http://www.canids.org/SPPACCTS/fennecus.htm
• http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Phacochoerus_aethiopicus.html
• www.kidsplanet.org/factsheets/black_bear.html
• http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lynx_canadensis.html
• http://www.cosmosmith.com/arctic_wolves.html

Evaluation

TASK

MAP:

1. All 7 continents present
2. All objects on map are COLORED
3. Names of the 7 continents (written on the correct continents)
4. The 6 major biomes colored correctly across the continents
5. Key with the names of the 6 major biomes and corresponding colors.

ANIMALS: (For each of the six animals)

1. Picture of animal (placed on the map in the animal's correct biome)
2. Common name provided
3. Scientific name provided
4. Description of animal's habitat

BIOME:

1. Description of biome

(including precipitation amounts, temperature range, common vegetation, and common animals that are found there)

CONVECTIONS:

1. Typed, spelled correctly, and writing is accurate.

 

INDIVIDUAL COMPONENT:

1. Researched all assigned information
2. Took written notes on researched information that were able to be used to create final project
3. Contributed to creating and completing the map

POSSIBLE POINTS

 

3.5
3
3.5
16
8

 

6

3
3
6

.

18

 

 

 

10

______ / 80 points

 

5
5

10

_______ / 20 points

TOTAL: ______ / 100 points

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have provided a detailed and accurate map that helped the pilot of the plane fly all the animals back to their original habitats. You have also learned about the 6 major biomes of the world, their locations, and the different types of plants and animals that live in them. Share your new knowledge with others!

Teacher Page

This lesson was developed to teach students about the characteristics of biomes of the world, their locations, and the different plants and animals that live in them. The students will learn that all organisms have combinations of abiotic and biotic factors that they need in order to live. This project will also help students learn to work collaboratively and be responsible for a specific aspect of the project.

This assignment addresses the following standard:

Pennsylvania Environment and Ecology Standards:

4.6.7 A Explain the flows of energy and matter from organism to organism within an ecosystem.

•  Identify the major characteristics of a biome.
•  Compare and contrast the different biomes and their characteristics.

4.7.7 A Describe diversity of plants and animals in ecosystems.

•  Select an ecosystem and describe the different plants and animals in an ecosystem.

Pennsylvania Reading , Writing, Speaking, and Listening Standards

1.8.8 B Locate information using appropriate sources and strategies.

•  Use traditional and electronic sources.

C Organize, refine, and present the main ideas from research.

•  Identify the steps necessary to carry out a research project.
• Take relevant notes from sources.

WebQuest created by Ms. Keiss

Created on December 5, 2005 Last updated on December 5, 2005