The Florida Everglades A Webquest by Bridget Singleton

Florida Everglades Webquest IntroductionTaskResourcesProcessEvaluationConclusion

Introduction The Florida Everglades, located in southern Florida, is one of the largest wetlands in the world. The Florida Everglades, located in southern Florida, is one of the largest wetlands in the world.wetlands The Everglades received the name “River of Grass” because of the shallow sheet of fresh water that rolls slowly over the lowlands and through billions of blades of saw grass. As the water moves through the sawgrass it causes it to ripple like green waves. The Everglades received the name “River of Grass” because of the shallow sheet of fresh water that rolls slowly over the lowlands and through billions of blades of saw grass. As the water moves through the sawgrass it causes it to ripple like green waves.saw grasssaw grass This wetland ecosystem has become a habitat for many unique species of microorganisms, plants, This wetland ecosystem has become a habitat for many unique species of microorganisms, plants,ecosystem and animals. and animals. Menu

Many people worry that the destruction of the Everglades may ultimately lead to the extinction of many species. Many people worry that the destruction of the Everglades may ultimately lead to the extinction of many species. Do you agree or disagree? Do you agree or disagree? Menu

The Task One of the main reasons that Jean Craighead George has written her Eco-Mysteries is to help make young people aware of endangered species and the habitats that provide them protection. One of the main reasons that Jean Craighead George has written her Eco-Mysteries is to help make young people aware of endangered species and the habitats that provide them protection. We can also help to make sure that younger students are aware by providing them with information on this environmental dilemma. This will be the focus of our task. Menu

The Task Begin your task by gathering information from the Resources section of the Power Point. Resources Make a T chart of the pros and cons of maintaining environmental habitats like the Florida Everglades Take the role of a community member and make a poster persuading others of your opinion Make an environmental ABC book for younger children to educate them about the Florida Everglades and its inhabitants. Menu

Resources Background Information Menu

Resources Alphabetical Listings Habitats/Ecosystems ment/habitatshttp://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environ ment/habitats/ Menu

Resources Small changes in land elevation are responsible for the varied habitats with the Everglades ecosystem.ecosystem These habitats include: Menu

Resources pinelands: dominated by slash pines, this habitat has the richest diversity in the Everglades. Pinelands sawgrass marsh: a large expanse of sawgrass containing standing water for much of the year. Menu

Resources cypress swamps: wet areas that contain cypress trees, which are the most flood-tolerant trees in Florida. hardwood hammocks: wooded habitats found adjacent to marshes, pinelands, mangroves, and within the interior of some wetland tree islands. Menu

Resources mangrove swamps: found where freshwater from the Everglades mixes with saltwater from the ocean and are colonized by mangrove trees with adaptive roots. Mangroves along a channel open-water sloughs: main routes of moving water through the Everglades. Menu

The Process Activity # 1 Activity # 1  Working within your four person group, visit the websites in the Resources section. Resources   Use this information to make a T chart of the pros and cons of maintaining environmental habitats such as the Florida Everglades.   Have each person in your group take the role of a community member (i.e.land developer, conservationist) and make a poster (using Word) to persuade others to your community member’s opinion. Menu

The Process Activity #2 Activity #2  Work together with the people in your group to make a vocabulary list of many of the animals and plants that make their home in the Florida Everglades.  Be sure to also include vocabulary related to the Florida Everglades and the habitats that exist there.  Assemble all of your vocabulary into an ABC informational book about the Florida Everglades and the endangered animals that live there. Use Power Point to present your information.  Menu Sample Page

Here is an example for you to use for page number 1 of your Alphabet Book. Here is an example for you to use for page number 1 of your Everglades Alphabet Book. alligator An alligator is a reptile known for its crushing bite. Alligators’ main prey are smaller animals. They can kill and eat with a single bite.

Evaluation You will be evaluated on this webquest by how well you perform the assigned activities within your small group. The major areas you will be evaluated on are: How much you contribute to the total group and how responsibly you perform your duties within the group. Presentation of T chart and persuasive argument Completion of ABC Book

Evaluation Rubric Excellent Environmentalist 4 Good Environmentalist 3 Satisfactory Environmentalist 2 Poor Environmentalist 1 Menu Contribution to group Communicates and shares all information with the group. Shares important information with the group. Shares some information with the group. Keeps information to self and does not share with the group. Responsibility to the group Performs all duties. Performs nearly all duties. Performs very little in the way of duties. Does not perform any duties. T Chart and Persuasive Argument T Chart is complete and includes pro and cons. Argument is well prepared and researched. T Chart is accurate and detailed. Argument is factual. T Chart is neat and accurate, but lacks research information. Argument is satisfactory. T chart and argument are inaccurate and poorly done. ABC BookABC Book is well prepared, attractive, and includes all information. ABC Book provides information on environmental topics. ABC Book is complete and provides some information. ABC Book is not complete or lacking in environmental topics.

Conclusion Congratulations! After participating in this WebQuest activity you should be better acquainted with the Florida Everglades. You should be able to discuss how the destruction of this ecosystem would adversely effect many of its inhabitants. You should also be acquainted with many of the characteristics of the Everglades (including habitats and animals). Was there a subject for every letter of the alphabet? Menu

Below are some games and activities about the Florida Everglades that you can play. Word Searches Word Searches Word Searches Word Searches Picture Puzzles Picture Puzzles Picture Puzzles Picture Puzzles Word Scramble Word Scramble Word Scramble Word Scramble Crossword Pages Crossword Pages Crossword Pages Crossword Pages Mazes Mazes Mazes

See you later, Alligator!