First Grade Zoo Web Quest

Our city wants a new zoo! They need zoo experts who are qualified enough to create a successful zoo. After searching far and wide they have decided your team of zoo experts will be in charge of creating an exhibit for a mammal, for a reptile, for an amphibian, and for an insect. After choosing your animal, you will be in charge of designing the home where your animal will live and creating an informational plaque that tells about your animal.

With everything that you have learned in our science book you are now ready to help build a zoo!

* Choose which category of animal you would like to work with. It can either be a mammal, a reptile, an amphibian, or an insect. Each person needs to choose a different category.

* Once you have chosen an animal category, decide which animal you would like to pick from within that category. (Example: Insect: Spider, Mammal: Monkey, Amphibian: Frog, Reptile: Snake)

* Learn about your animal so that you can design a home for them at the new zoo.

* Make a plaque for your animal to place outside of your their new home stating three facts about them.

* Form a group of four.
* Each of you needs to choose which animal category you would like to work with (Mammal, Amphibian, Reptile, or Insect.) Remember each of you needs to choose a different category.

Step 2: Choose an Animal in Your Category

* Now it is time for you to choose an animal from your category. Look for you category down below and click on the picture.
* Check out the pictures below to decide which animal you would like to choose.

* You will need to know:

1. What type of climate does your animal live in?

2. What does your animal eat to survive?

3. Does it like to live by itself or in groups?

4. What do you think you should include in its new home?

* Find 3 facts that interest you about your animal.

* Decide what your new animal's name will be.

* Find your animal above and then click on their picture to find out more about them. There will be two or three different links for you to visit to learn about your animal. Click on each link and read about your animal.

* After reading about your animal, complete your Fact Sheet. To print out your Fact Sheet click on the words "Fact Sheet" down below. Ask for your teacher's help in printing out the page.

* Get together with your group and share the information that you have found.
* Talk about whether any of your animals could live in the same area.
* Talk about whether any of your animals are enemies.

* Using Kid Pix you will create a space for your animal. If you have found someone in your group whose animal could live with yours you can work together.
* On Kid Pix make sure that you include everything in there that your animal is going to need including shelter, trees, swimming area, rocks, or bushes. You may even include a play area for your animal if you feel that they would need it.

* On the paper plaque given to you by your teacher write the name of your animal, what type of animal it is, and what category your animal falls into (Mammal, amphibian, reptile, or insect.)
* On your plaque write the three interesting facts that you learned about your animal using your Fact Sheet to help you.

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4
Student looked at linked websites and used information to complete their fact sheet	I went to only one of my resources and I filled out only a part of my fact sheet.	I went to more than one of my resources and I tried to fill out my entire fact sheet. I missed a few bits of information that I needed to include.	I used all of my resources and I attempted to fill out my entire fact sheet. I did miss one bit of information that I needed to include.	I used all of my resources and was able to fill out my entire fact sheet including all of the information needed.
I used Kid Pix to create my animal's new home. I included appropriate items in my animal's new homes.	I was able to create my animal's new home yet I was not able to draw anything in it.	I was able to create my animal's new home and I included one or two appropriate items in their home.	I was able to create my animal's new home and I included several appropriate items in their home.	I was able to create my animal's new home and I filled it with all appropriate items for my animal.
I made a plaque for my animal's new home.	I made a plaque with my animal's name on it.	I made a plaque with my animal's name and one fact about them.	I made a plaque with my animal's name and two facts about them.	I made a plaque with my animal's name and three facts about them.
I worked cooperatively with my group	I argued with my group about animal choices and I goofed around during group time.	I talked a little with my group about animal choices but I did goof around a little during group time.	I discussed my animal choices with my group.	I discussed my animal choices with my group and I was polite and respectful of all the people in my group.

Congratulations!!! You have created a successful zoo for your city. All the animals LOVE their new homes and new visitors pour through the gates each day. The mayor of your city is so proud of your hard work he has awarded you with a key to the city. You are a hero! Thanks for all of your hard work!