A Ladybug Web Quest A Science Web Quest for 3rd grade

Introduction How many spots does a dancing ladybug have?  What do those perky little bugs eat? Come along on a journey to find out all about those insects that might drive you buggy!  We'll find out how ladybugs help us out and why they're important in the food chain.  Ready?  Let's go to the garden!  

Task:  Your job is to become an entomologist (someone who studies entomology) and find some basic facts about ladybugs in order to decide why ladybugs are important in a food chain.  You will be presenting to a co-op (group) of farmers (live, on camera!)  who have noticed something is wrong in their fields.  Where are the  ladybugs?  What in the world is going on?  Can you "SPOT" the problem? 

The Process: (Click on the underlined words) Step 1: You will be assigned a partner. You and your partner will research and  complete the steps below together. Click on the links below to find out some basic facts.  Have fun! What does a ladybug look like? Where can ladybugs be found? What do ladybugs eat? Who eats ladybugs? What is the life cycle of a ladybug? What adaptations does a ladybug have in order to survive in its environment? Step 2:  With your partner, complete a Fact Sheet with your new information.  Print out 1 copy of the Fact Sheet.  Ladybug Fact Sheet   Step 3: Create a poster that will illustrate the life cycle of the ladybug.  You will do this activity with your partner.  Be sure to include your labels!    Step 4: You will now construct a diagram of a food chain that contains a ladybug.  Who eats ladybugs?  What do ladybugs eat?  You will use Kidspiration to complete this activity.  You may use words and pictures in this activity.  Please remember to use spell check and include your names!  Print 2 copies when you are finished. 

The Process:  Step 5: The farmers and gardeners in your community have come to you with a problem.  You are a bug expert, after all!  The pesky bugs which are so harmful to farmers and gardeners are multiplying rapidly.  This is "bugging" the farmers and gardeners.  How can you help? Step 6: You have done your research and you know how to help the farmers and gardeners.  Prepare a speech to present at the next town council meeting that will offer some solutions to the gardeners and farmers.  They want their land back without those pesky insects that are eating their crops! Where have all the ladybugs gone?  What can the farmers and gardeners do to save their land?  Write down your list of solutions for your presentation.  Practice your presentation with your partner.  You may use Microsoft Word to type your notes to help you.  Make sure you are prepared for questions from the "reporter" that will be attending the meeting.  (That's me!).  Are you ready to be on camera?  Oh, yeah!  Ready?  Set?  Action!  Roll the tape!  Don't be late to the town council meeting!  Step 7: Match The Lady Bug Twins

All 4 projects are finished Evaluation: You will be graded on 4 activities.  This web quest is worth 40 points.  Please remember to use good grammar skills, spell check before printing, and take your time.   The quality of your work will be evaluated.     1.   A completed fact sheet is finished 2.  A poster of the life cycle of the ladybug is completed 3.  A diagram of a food chain including a ladybug has been finished 4.  A presentation has been presented to the town council identifying       some possible solutions for the farmers and gardeners     Points 10 20 30 40 Projects Nothing is finished Only 1 project is finished Only 2 projects are finished Only 3 projects are finished All 4 projects are finished

Conclusion: Congratulations! The town council was impressed with your knowledge of ladybugs.  You were so helpful in helping solve their pesky little bug problem.  You have done a tremendous service for your community.  But, there is always more work to be done for entomologists.  Think about what would happen if ladybugs disappeared and became extinct?   How would that affect the food chain?  I wonder...     Here are some other sites about ladybugs that you might find interesting!  Check out a few and let me know what you found out!      Curious Ladybug Lady Beetle Photos Crossword Puzzle Ladybug Maze Ladybug Poems Ladybug Crafts Egg Carton Craft Ladybug Jigsaw Puzzle Save the Roses Ladybug Word Search How Many Spots? Ladybug Madlibs

Resources: http://www.hillsboro.k12.mo.us/faculty/link_robin/introlb.htm http://webtech.kennesaw.edu/jcheek3/ladybugs.htm http://www.can-do.com/uci/ssi2001/ladybugs.html