The Polar Express Webquest

Introduction

The Polar Express is taking a trip to the North Pole. All of the children on the train are looking for animals in the North Pole and also looking at the geographic characteristics. During this WebQuest the children on the train would like your help identifying animals in this region as well as the geographic surroundings. It will be your task to identify and look deeper into the characteristics of the North Pole. 

Task

Grade 3

The students will be able to read the book and comprehend what they are reading. They will apply this comprehension to other subject areas such as geography and language arts. 

3.3.9 Describe how climate and the physical characteristics of a region affect the vegetation and animal life living there.

3.3.8 Identify the major climate regions of the United States and explain their characteristics

3.RF.1 Apply foundational reading skills to build reading fluency and comprehension.

3.SL.2.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) on grade-appropriate topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing personal ideas clearly.

3.SL.2.2 Explore ideas under discussion by drawing on readings and other information.

3.SL.2.3 Demonstrate knowledge and use of agreed-upon rules for discussions and identify and serve in roles for small group discussions or projects

 

Process

After reading The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg as a class, you will be put into groups of three. Each of you will have a few tasks to complete. 

Partner 1: This student will create a drawing of their view on the North Pole. The drawing must include: one polar animal, one geographical finding (mountains, ocean, ice burg, etc), and colors that accurately represent the North Pole. Paper, pencil, colored pencils, and anything else needed to make this piece of artwork will be provided on your station tables. 

Partner 2: This student will find 5 different polar animals found in this region. After finding them, you will need to explain what they are/how they benefit this region. If there are any interesting facts about this animal, include them in this section. A helpful website you can use, but are not limited to, would be https://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/arctic_animal.php.

Partner 3: This student will find 5 different geographic/ecosystem aspects of the North Pole. This could include weather, geography, elevation levels, animal habitats, etc. You will add any interesting facts about the North Pole here, if you find any. A helpful website you could use, but are not limited to, would be https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/north-pole/

All partners: After the first three activities are complete, all of you will work together to find where in the book we could have seen the animals and weather/geography. There does not need to be specific page numbers, just explain what was going on during the time or what the children were seeing. 

All of your answers need to be written down on separate pieces of paper with all group member's names. Once everyone has completed the task, we will come together to discuss the work we have done and go over a few questions. Some of these questions may be the following: What things did you include in your drawings? Why do these animals live in this specific region? Be prepared to answer these types of questions as a group. 

Evaluation

 

Student Name(s):_________________________________________

 

The Polar Express Rubric

 

 

Criteria

Exemplar (5)

Developed (4)

Limited (0-3)

Appearance/ Neatness

The text and the illustrations are clear and colorful. The drawing and paper is free from smudges and stray marks.

The text and the illustrations are clear and colorful.  No more than a few smudges or stray marks are visible.

The text and the illustrations are adequate and clear.  More than three smudges or stray marks are visible.

Content Knowledge

Exceptional idea development with supporting details written in the student’s own words. Student found information from other websites and accurately explained them.

Satisfactory idea development with some supporting details written mainly in the author’s own words. Student found some information from only websites given and explained.

Unclear, incorrect, or limited idea development with lack of details.  Author’s own words are not used. Student did not list any information from websites given.

Mechanics

The WebQuest contains only minor mechanical errors.

The WebQuest contains some mechanical errors, but does not take away from main idea

Mechanical errors take away from the whole WebQuest.

Factual Information

All answers are represented with accurate information, interesting information, and relevant illustrations.

All answers are represented with minor errors in information, undeveloped information, or irrelevant illustrations.

Answers/pictures are missing from the WebQuest, or information is largely incorrect, or illustrations are not accurate.

 

 

 

 



Grade: _________________/25 points =

Conclusion

Congratulations! During this WebQuest we learned more about the animals and geography of the North Pole. I hope that you have enjoyed helping the children of The Polar Express find more about the North Pole. 

Credits