Forest Defence

Introduction

A forest is a place where a lot of trees and other plants grow. It is also a home for many animals. Forests are also very often called “lungs of the Earth”. This webquest will help you learn a lot about how important forests are.

Task

Form groups of 3!

Imagine that next to your school there is a forest. You love to spend your time there with your family and classmates. One day there comes an information that someone wants to cut this forest down and build a supermarket there.

You and two of your best friends want the forest to stay. To achieve your goal you will have to write an open letter to the investor explaining why he should change his mind and relocate his supermarket.

Process

Step 1

(Answersheet 1)

Step 2

(Answersheet 2)

Step 3

Choose one animal from the quiz that you like the most.
Draw it.
Find out:
1. What is its favourite food ?
2. What useful does it do for the environment?

Step 4

Now have a group discussion.
Answer the question and try to explain your opinion.
1. Why do you like going to the forest ?
2. Why trees are essential for our life ?
3. Do you think that cutting a forest can be dangerous for organisms that live there ? Why?

Step 5

Now comes the final part! You are ready to write the open letter.
Try to convince the investor that he will make a mistake if he cuts the forest down. For that purpose explain to him why this forest is important for the local environment. Do not forget to mention information from every step you went through.
Remember to be polite!

Evaluation

I understand the importance of the forest.	Yes	No
I can list some animals that live in the forest.	Yes	No
I can list some plants that can be found in the forest .	Yes	No
I know the main information about particular plants and animals that can be found in the forest.	Yes	No
I can name the elements of photosynthesis process.	Yes	No
I can write a formal letter.	Yes	No

Teacher Page

	;(	-	.	+	:D
Quiz	Recognizes only 2 plants and/or animals	Recognizes at least 4 plants and/or animals	Recognizes at least 6 plants and/or animals	Recognizes at least 9 plants and/or animals	Recognizes at least 11 plants and/or animals
Schematics	Does not fill gaps	Fills only some of gaps	Fills all the gaps	Fills all the gaps and remembers the answers	Fills all the gaps and can explain what photosynthesis is
Drawing	Student accomplishes only one of 3 parts of the exercise	Student accomplishes only two of 3 parts of the exercise	Student accomplishes 3 parts of the exercise	Student accomplishes 3 parts of the exercise and remembers what the animal does	Student accomplishes 3 parts of the exercise, remembers what the animal does and is able to explain why is this good for the environment
Discussion	Student was not active during the discussion	Student was active during the discussion but cannot justify their opinion	Student was active during the discussion and is able to justify their opinion	Student was active during the discussion, is able to justify their opinion and can confront his arguments with other students	Student was active during the discussion, is able to justify their opinion, can confront his arguments with other students and is ready to learn more
Letter	Does not write the letter	Writes an informal letter	Follows the structure of formal letter	Follows the structure of formal letter, makes small grammar and spelling mistakes	Follows the structure of formal letter, does not make mistakes