Introduction
Imagine yourself on vacation in the Bahamas. You have white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, a warm breeze coming from the ocean, and . . .
. . .wait a minute, SWIMMING PIGS?! How did pigs end up living on an island in the Bahamas? No one knows for sure!
In this WebQuest, you will explore three ideas (theories) about how the pigs got to the island of Big Major Cay.
Task
1. Read nonfiction texts about swimming pigs
2. Watch two videos about swimming pigs
3. Explore three theories about how the pigs got to the island of Big Major Cay
4. Choose the theory you think best explains it
5. Write a well-developed paragraph stating which theory makes the most sense and why
Process
Students may work alone, with a partner, or in a small group to complete the following:
1. Read the decodable reading passage, Pigs Take a Dip in the Bahamas, from our Wilson Reading System student reader (copied and pasted below for this PDI assignment so that instructor can view it without a WRS login). Pay close attention to the three ideas (theories) as to how the pigs came to live on the island discussed in the fourth paragraph.
Pigs Take a Dip in the Bahamas (April 2013)
Lots of people flock to the Bahamas. They like the white sand shores and crashing waves. But did you know that this tropical place is home to a bunch of feral pigs? That is correct! Hundreds upon hundreds of visitors plan trips just to spot these wild pigs that live on the island of Big Major Cay.
The plump pigs are the only animals that inhabit the island. When it is hot and sunny, they laze in the shade and frolic in the sand. When they want to dine or have a quick snack, they take a dip in the waves and sniff for the tasty tidbits that visitors leave behind. When humans glide by on their ships, they give the happy hogs lots of scraps. The pigs love to munch on all kinds of things—especially hotdogs and buns. Thankfully, the hotdogs are made of turkey so the pigs will not get fatter!
The pigs’ home is not a secret. Ships come by all the time. The pigs like the visits and they swim out to welcome their visitors. Sometimes, the pigs cannot wait for the decadent snacks and they hop into the ships. But they are not being bad. They just want some lunch! The pigs are mild and do not mean any harm.
Why the pigs live there is a bit of a mystery. Some say that they were left behind for a short time by passing sailors. But the men did not come back and the pigs went on to thrive. Others think they swam ashore after a shipwreck or that they made an escape from another island. Skeptics think that a local hotel planted the swine on the island to try to bring in more visitors and more cash. This has not been proven.
However they ended up on the island, these pigs have it made! If you visit the Bahamas, make sure to stop by Big Major Cay, but do not go empty-handed. Pack some yummy snacks like hotdogs and buns for the pigs of this paradise. You will want to be a bit careful. Even though the pigs are kind to humans, they are all about getting the scraps. They get excited and will nibble on anything—even fingers!
2. Research the pigs further on the following websites. Pay close attention to theories mentioned regarding how the pigs got to the island.
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/swimming-pigs-bahamas
https://www.swimmingwithpigs.com/swimming-pigs-exuma/
3. Click on the links and watch the videos below. Be mindful that some of these videos present their theory as if it were a fact. As you watch, as yourself which theory makes the most sense? After watching, share which theory you think makes the most sense and why. You do not need to have the same opinion as your partner or group members (if you are working with a partner/group).
Evaluation
| Criteria | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Theory Statement | Statement identifying which theory makes the most sense is missing | Statement identifying which theory makes the most sense is present but not clearly stated | Statement identifying which theory makes the most sense is present and somewhat clearly stated | Statement identifying which theory makes the most sense is present and clearly stated |
| Explanation | Explanation of why the chosen theory makes the most sense is missing | Explanation of why the chosen theory makes the most sense is weak | Explanation of why the chosen theory makes the most sense is somewhat clear | Explanation of why the chosen theory makes the most sense is clearly stated |
| Evidence | No evidence from the resources provided is used to support the chosen theory | One piece of evidence from one of the resources provided is used to support the chosen theory | Two pieces of evidence from one of the resources provided are used to support the theory | Two pieces of evidence from two of the resources provided are used to support the theory |
Conclusion
Write a well-developed paragraph stating which theory makes the most sense and explain why. Use at least two pieces of evidence from two different resources to support the theory you chose.