Blue Whales vs. Sperm Whales Tagwana Webster EDUC August 24, 2015

Teacher Introduction This lesson is designed for 4th grade ELL students. This WebQuest is aligned to Common Core. ELL learners will be supported through the use of visual aids, websites, and videos. Students will establish geographic knowledge by exploring a world map.

Learners Designed to support ELL learners in the 4th grade. Students are entering or developing academic English. The majority are originally from parts of Mexico and most live in lower economic households.

Teacher Process Provide Double Bubble thinking maps. Supply a world map which students can use to represent where whales live. Furnish art supplies so students can make visual representations of the blue whale and sperm whale. Provide access to technology. Create an evaluation rubric.

WebQuest 4th Graders Glen Oak Learning Center Have you ever wondered what is the biggest animal in the world? Or how much does a whale weigh? Where do they live? Here’s your chance to become a cetologist and study two different types of whales. Get ready to go deep sea diving! Blue Whales vs. Sperm Whales

Tasks Your job is to research blue whales and sperm whales. Compare and contrast the two species and record the information on a Double Bubble thinking map. Create a map key and represent where blue whales and sperm whales live on the map of ocean. Answer the question: Why are whales dying? Create a visual representation of both the blue whale and sperm whale. (I.e. drawing, origami, clay figure, etc.). Organize a group presentation.

Process Day 1: Students will form groups of three or four. Use the internet and other resources from the library to research blue whales and Sperm Whales. Suggested sites: National Geographic Kids. (2015). Retrieved from Animal Planet. (2015). Retrieved from Blue Whale - the largest animal ever to have existed. (2015) Retrieved from

Process Cont’d Day 2: Use the information that you have found on the internet sites to compare and contrast blue whales and sperm whales using the Double Bubble Map.

Process Cont’d Day 3: Perform a general web search: Where do blue whales lives and where do sperm whales live? Create a map key and show where the whales live on the map. Suggested Search Engines: bing.combing.com, yahoo.com, google.comyahoo.comgoogle.com Answer the question: Why are whales dying? What’s Killing Blue Whales (2015). Retrieved from

Process Cont’d Day 4: Students will work together to create a visual representation of a blue whale and a sperm whale. Origami - Let's Learn How to make a Whale (2015). Retrieved from youtube.com/watch?v=qEez8T9HCYQ youtube.com/watch?v=qEez8T9HCYQ Day 5: Each group will present their projects in front of their peers.

Conclusion Fantastic Job! There is so much more that you can learn about blue whales and sperm whales. Please visit your local library or look up more information on the computer. Congratulations Future Cetologists!

Evaluation

Resources National Geographic Kids. (24, August 2015). Retrieved from kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/ Animal Planet. (24, August 2015). Retrieved from animal.discovery.com animal.discovery.com Blue Whale – the largest animal ever to have existed. (24, August 2015). Retrieved from youtube.com/watch?v=rShmanIh-pY. youtube.com/watch?v=rShmanIh-pY What’s Killing Blue Whales (24, August 2015). Retrieved from youtube.com/watch?v=lgz23Op_xeUyoutube.com/watch?v=lgz23Op_xeU Origami - Let's Learn How to make a Whale. (24 August 2015). Retrieved from youtube.com/watch?v=qEez8T9HCYQ youtube.com/watch?v=qEez8T9HCYQ