Exploring Ecosystems Welcome Introduction Tasks Process Step 1 Step 2 Resources Description: This WebQuest is designed to allow students to explore different ecosystems and what makes each unique. Grade Level: 3-5 Curriculum: Science Author: Hayley Bunnell Evaluation Teacher’s page

Introduction Welcome Introduction Tasks Process Have you ever wished to be a scientist who explores our world’s exciting ecosystems? What would a desert or rain forest be like? What plants and animals would live there? In this WebQuest you and your classmates are all scientists discovering our world’s ecosystems and what makes each unique. Let’s start exploring! Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Resources Evaluation Teacher’s page

Tasks Welcome In groups, you will learn about ecosystems and be assigned one of your own to research. You will be given jobs as different kinds of scientists and you will be responsible for completing your individual research and worksheet. We will learn about where these ecosystems are, what their climates are like, and what plants and animals live in them. At the end of our exploration, each group will present their ecosystem to the rest of the scientific community (our class) on a poster or in a PowerPoint presentation. When presentations are finished, we will complete a graphic organizer about the ecosystems we explored. Introduction Tasks Process Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Resources Evaluation Teacher’s page

Step 1 General Exploration Process Welcome Step 1 Introduction General Exploration As a group, explore what an ecosystem is by clicking on the search icon above. In your science notebooks, write 3 characteristics of ecosystems that you have learned in complete sentences. Write down the name of your assigned ecosystem before moving on to Step 2. Tasks Process Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Resources Evaluation Teacher’s page

Step 2 Process Determine jobs and review responsibilities Welcome Step 2 Introduction Determine jobs and review responsibilities Each scientist in the group will be given a job to learn about a specific aspect of their ecosystem. Jobs: Geographer Meteorologist Zoologist Botanist Click on your job to review your duties and the fact sheet you will be responsible for completing and sharing with your group. Then move on to Step 3. Tasks Process Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Resources Evaluation Teacher’s page

Step 3 Process Explore and Research Welcome Step 3 Introduction Explore and Research Click on your ecosystem to begin exploring! Tasks Process Tropical Rainforest Wetlands Tundra Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Resources Evaluation Grasslands Desert Oceans (Marine) Teacher’s page

Step 4 Process Group discussion and presentation development Welcome Step 4 Introduction Group discussion and presentation development When each individual scientist has completed his/her tasks, discuss as a group the different aspects of your ecosystem. In your science notebook, write down 2 things you find interesting about each of the scientist’s research in complete sentences. Decide as a group whether you will present your ecosystem as a poster or PowerPoint and begin working on it. This is where you will put together all of the information you have learned and present it to your fellow scientists. Click here for presentation directions. Tasks Process Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Resources Evaluation Teacher’s page

Step 5 Presentations Process Welcome Step 5 Introduction Presentations While other scientists make their presentations about their ecosystems, make a list of 10 new things you’ve learned in complete sentences in your science notebook. Once all the presentations are finished, we will discuss some of the important parts of each ecosystem and complete the ecosystem organizer. Click here for the organizer. Tasks Process Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Resources Evaluation Teacher’s page

Resources Welcome Internet resources for research are connected through the ecosystem links within Step 3. Introduction Tasks Process Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Resources Evaluation Expanded reference list for all ecosystems and outside resources (for teacher use). Teacher’s page

Resources Tropical Rainforests Welcome Welcome Search through these internet sources to find all the pictures and information you need. Just click on the pictures or icons below! Introduction Introduction Tasks Task Process Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Resources Evaluation Teacher’s page When you’re done exploring, move on to Step 4.

Resources Grasslands Welcome Welcome Search through these internet sources to find all the pictures and information you need. Just click on the pictures or icons below! Introduction Introduction Tasks Task Process Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Resources Evaluation Teacher’s page When you’re done exploring, move on to Step 4.

Resources Deserts Welcome Welcome Search through these internet sources to find all the pictures and information you need. Just click on the pictures or icons below! Introduction Introduction Tasks Task Process Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Resources Evaluation Teacher’s page When you’re done exploring, move on to Step 4.

Resources Wetlands Welcome Welcome Search through these internet sources to find all the pictures and information you need. Just click on the pictures or icons below! Introduction Introduction Tasks Task Process Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Resources Evaluation Teacher’s page When you’re done exploring, move on to Step 4.

Resources Tundra Welcome Welcome Search through these internet sources to find all the pictures and information you need. Just click on the pictures or icons below! Introduction Introduction Tasks Task Process Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Resources Evaluation Teacher’s page When you’re done exploring, move on to Step 4.

Resources Oceans (Marine) Welcome Welcome Search through these internet sources to find all the pictures and information you need. Just click on the pictures or icons below! Introduction Introduction Tasks Task Process Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Resources Evaluation Teacher’s page When you’re done exploring, move on to Step 4.

This is how your work will be graded. Evaluation Welcome This is how your work will be graded. Your individual job worksheets will be graded on completion. Make sure you have all the information filled out on you fact sheets scientists! Your presentation needs to follow the guidelines presented in Step 4. Each student will be responsible for their part of the presentation. Click here to see the official grading rubric. Introduction Tasks Process Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Resources Evaluation Teacher’s page

Exploring Ecosystems WebQuest Teacher’s Page Welcome Exploring Ecosystems WebQuest This WebQuest is designed to allow students to explore ecosystems and what makes each unique. It employs group participation while encouraging independent work and understanding. Intended grade level: 3-5. CORE Standards Lesson Plan Introduction Tasks Process Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Resources Evaluation Teacher’s page