School Zoo Adventure: A WebQuest for First Grade Students

Introduction

Animals are all around us. Learning about animals is important for understanding our world. Knowing about the foods, habitats, body coverings and movements of animals can help us care for and protect the animals of our world.

Task

Your assignment is to help choose the animals for our new school zoo.

You will work with a team of classmates to learn about the different types of animals that we should have in our zoo.

Each group member will search for information about one of the types of animals.

You will use the information you learn about your animal to create a model zoo exhibit.

You should also be ready to convince your classmates that your animal must be in the zoo.

Process

See your teacher for your group assignment.
Meet with your group to decide what animal type each member will investigate (Arctic, Desert, Rainforest, Ocean, and Woodland).
Check out the animals in your type using the internet links and books.
Decide on one animal from your type for the school zoo.
Print a copy of the Zoo Quest Record Sheet to record the facts you find about your animal. Click here to see and print the activity sheet.
Complete the Zoo Quest Record Sheet using the internet links and books for your animal type.
Create a diorama, poster, or other model of your animal in its new zoo habitat.
Meet with your group members to share your animal choice.
With your group, write a speech to convince your classmates that your group's animals are the best for the zoo. Each group member should have a part to say.
Display your project and Zoo Quest Record Sheet with the rest of your group's projects.
Share your project and speech with the class when asked by your teacher.

Evaluation

All of your work on this WebQuest project will be a part of the evaluation. You can view the rubric that will be used for grading your project. Print a copy if you would like to look at it while you are working.

Click here to see and print the rubric.

Conclusion

Learning about animals and their needs is important for all people. When we know about the food and homes that animals need we can help protect them. I hope you enjoyed working on this WebQuest. I also hope you learned about some new and interesting animals. If you would like to learn more about animals, or just do some fun animal crafts and activities, check out the the websites listed below.

Sea Life Crossword Puzzle - Have fun and test your knowledge of ocean animals.

Ocean Animals Activities for Kids - Click here for ocean animal crafts and other activities.

Rainforest Activities and coloring book - Go to this site for stories, coloring pages, and other activities.

Blackdog's On-line Zoo Activities - Great on-line zoo animal learning games at this site.

Columbus Zoo Kid's Page - Click here for zoo games, coloring, and other activities.

Credits

Arctic Animal Links

Arctic Wildlife-click here for information about arctic animals that live on land.

Arctic and Its Animals-click here for another link to arctic animals.

Arctic Animal Trading Cards-learn about arctic animals by reading information in trading card format.

Ask Jeeves for Kids-click here to ask a question about your animal.

Check out these books:

Marcia S. Freeman, Polar Bears, 1999.

Kathy Darling, Arctic Babies, 1996.

Merebeth Switzer, Our Wildlife World, Penguins, 1988.

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Desert Animal Links

Desert Animals and Wildlife-facts about many desert animals(you may need help reading at this site).

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens-take an on-line tour of this zoo and learn about desert animals.

The Desert Biome-click here for more desert animal facts.

Ask Jeeves for Kids-click here to ask a question about your animal.

Check out these books:

Christopher Nicholas, Lizards, 2000.

Kathy Darling, Desert Babies, 1997.

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Rainforest Animal Links

Rainforest Animals-click here to read facts and see pictures of rainforest animals
Animals of the Rainforest-this site lets you choose an animal for facts and pictures

Visit the Rainforest-at this site you can learn about the animals and find some other fun activities too

Ask Jeeves for Kids-click here to ask a question about your animal.

Check out these books:

Kathy Darling, Rainforest Babies, 1996.

Lynn Stone, Animals of the Rainforest, 1994.

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Ocean Animal Links

The Whale Times Seabed-visit this site to read about many different ocean animals

Ocean Animals-click here to read about some ocean animals

Discovery School Ocean-at this site you will learn many facts about ocean animals (you may need help reading at this site)

Ask Jeeves for Kids-click here to ask a question about your animal.

Check out these books:

Kathy Darling, Seashore Babies, 1997.

Illa Podendorf, Animals of the Sea and Shore, 1982.

Adele D. Richardson, Dolphins, Fins, Flippers, and Flukes, 2001.

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Woodland Animal Links

Woodland Areas-a great site for woodland animals (you may need help reading at this site)

Forest Animals-click here to read about a few animals of the forest.

Ask Jeeves for Kids-click here to ask a question about you animal.

Check out these books:

Joanne Ryder, Animals in the Woods, 1987.

David Schwartz, In the Forest, 1998.

Michael Chinery, Questions and Answers About Forest Animals, 1994.

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Teacher Page
Overview This School Zoo WebQuest was created to offer teachers and students a new and exciting way to learn about animals. Using the idea of a "school" zoo makes the task more personal and relevant to students. This WebQuest is best suited for students in grades 1 or 2. Through this WebQuest, students are meeting science standards by learning about animals and their habitats. They will also be meeting many technology competencies. Other Resources These resources may help you to provide additional information about animals to your students. You may also want to show them some of the zoo websites. Use these links along with those provided in the conclusion to further both you and your students' knowledge of animals. Sea World Animal Information Source - A great site for ideas and information about many kinds of animals. Includes a great animal sounds library that is educational and fun to use. Smithsonian National Zoological Park - Click here for information and pictures of many different animals. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium - A great resource for teacher and students alike for zoo and aquatic animals.