Life Cycles of Plants and Animals

Introduction

Every plant and animal you have ever seen follows a certain life cycle. Typically, a life cycle includes being born, growing, changing, reproducing, and dying. In this Webquest, you will become scientists and researchers by learning about the life cycles of various plants and animals. 

Task

You will work with a partner and choose a specific animal or plant to do your research on. Research will be done on your Chromebooks. 

1. Create a life cycle diagram about your chosen plant or animal on a piece of paper. Use colors and stickers, make it your own! (Example will be on the board)

2. Have at least 3 sentences under each cycle explaining it and why the organism goes through that cycle. 

3. Be prepared to share your diagram with the class, as well as where you got the information from. (Do not use Wikipedia) 

Process

1. Form groups of two 

2. Choose a plant or email and research its life cycle, and jot down some notes to make the process easier for you. 

3. Begin drawing a diagram of the life cycle and writing your sentences. (Example will be on the board)

4. Present the findings to the class and have an open discussion. 

Evaluation

Criteria: 4) Excellent 3) Good 2) Fair 1) Needs Improvement 

Content & Accuracy: 4) Information is accurate and well researched 3) Mostly accurate, only a few errors 2) Some inaccuracies and missing info 1) Lacks research and is inaccurate

Creativity & Design: 4) It is creative and visually appealing. You can tell the students worked hard on it 3) Neat, some creativity 2) Basic design or plain 1) Poor design or hard to follow

Sentences: 4) Includes three well-written and clear sentences 3) Three sentences, but are difficult to understand. 2) Less than three sentences, but clear 1) Less than three sentences and difficult to understand 

Presentation: 4) Confident, clear, and engaging 3) Clear and engaging for the most part 2) Somewhat clear, needed more effort 1) Unclear and hard to follow

Score:

16 points: Excellent

12-15 points: Good

8-11 points: Fair

7 point and below: Needs Improvement 

 

Conclusion

By completing this Webquest, you learned about plant and animal life cycles and how to draw a diagram displaying them. Ending Question: Could you compare and contrast two life cycles we learned about today? Discuss this with your partner. 

Credits
Teacher Page

Target Learners: 3rd grade (but can be done for grades 3-5)

Purpose: This Webquest will help students with research, creativity, collaboration, and presentation skills.

Standard: 3-LS1-1. Develop models to describe that organisms have unique and diverse life cycles, but all have in common

birth, growth, reproduction, and death. [Clarification Statement: Changes organisms go through during their life form a pattern.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment of plant life cycles is limited to those of flowering plants. Assessment does not include details of human reproduction.]

Objective: Research and learn about a plant or animal's life cycle

Materials:

-Laptops/Chromebooks 

- Art supplies such as paper, crayons, markers, stickers, and more

-Diagram example for the board

Time needed: One class period for research and making the project + One class period for presentations and discussions = 2 classes

Teachers' Role: Walk around and assist groups if needed