Help Burt Find His Home

Introduction

Antarctica, Africa, Australia, Oh my!

Burt is new to planet Earth and he doesn't know where he should live. Help Burt learn about the climates of the continents found on our planet!

How is Antarctica's climate different from Africa's?

Which continents are warmer than others?

What is a desert climate like?

Snow, rain, cyclones, and tornadoes are aspects of weather that can be found on different areas of the world. Each continent is on a different part of the world which gives it different climates. Antarctica is far away from the equator where there is constant snow and cold temperatures while Africa can be hot and humid closer to the equator.

Help Burt so he can make his home!

Task

Your goal is to figure out the different climates on one of the seven continents!

You have all been put in groups and have been given a different continuent. The seven you could have are Antarctica, Africa, Asia, Australia, North America, South America, and Europe. You will follow this webquest to find information on your assigned continent.

**Each job has a different color. For example if you are the meteoroplogist, follow the blue directions.**

Good Luck!

Process

You have each been assigned a continent.

**Make sure to keep this information written down or typed on the computer to present when finished!**

Cartogropher: The Cartogropher will be in charge of finding the location of the continent such as where it is located in relation to the equator.

Meteorologist: The Climate Finder will be in charge of finding the different climates and weather factors of the continent they were assigned. The Climate Finder will find the different climates and information on what happens with those climates.

Continent Comparer: The third person in the group (if possible) will look at their continent and find any similarities it has with other continents.

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1. The cartogropher will start off at this site, 5 Causes of Climate, and will learn about the importance of the location of the continent.

The meteorologist will go to the World Map and will look at the different colors on the map. The colors are each representing a different climate. They will write down two different climates that are found on their continent. They can also find information on different climates here.

The Continent Comparer will compare two continent's climates from the information here in no more than five bullet points.

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2. They will go to a map of the world and read about the equator and the tropics. They will make a rough sketch of where the equator and tropics lie on a scrap piece of paper.

The meteorologist will list three of the different types of climates in their continent from this website and a quick definition of what they are.

The Continent Comparer will use the information they gathered to pick a climate they find most interesting and one that Burt would enjoy. They will research it here and be able to explain their reasoning to their teacher or teammates.

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3. At this site, students will be able to sketch where their continent is as well as the equator and the tropics. They will need to label five different things and show it to their partners.

The meteorologist will find all of the weather factors that take place within the climate they chose. Examples could be snow and cold temperatures in Arctic climates.

The CC will come up with four tips for people living in the climate the chose. For example, if they think Burt would love the Arctic climate, a tip could be to purchase boots.

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4. Before deciding on a continent with their partners, students will write a paragraph of what their favorite type of climate is and what continent they would like to live on (or why they like living in North America). They will share that with their partners.

5. Everyone will agree on a continent for Burt explain the information they learned to their partners before presenting it to their class! Their presentation will have to include the continent they chose for Burt and why they chose it!

Evaluation

Asia

Africa South America

North America

Australia Antarctica

Europe

Students will be graded using the following rubric.

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Delegation of Responsibility	Each student in the group can clearly explain what information is needed by the group, what information s/he is responsible for locating, and when the information is needed.	Each student in the group can clearly explain what information s/he is responsible for locating.	Each student in the group can, with minimal prompting from peers, clearly explain what information s/he is responsible for locating.	One or more students in the group cannot clearly explain what information they are responsible for locating.
Plan for Organizing Information	Students have developed a clear plan for organizing the information as it is gathered and in the final research product. All students can independently explain the planned organization of the research findings.	Students have developed a clear plan for organizing the information in the final research product. All students can independently explain this plan.	Students have developed a clear plan for organizing the information as it is gathered. All students can independently explain most of this plan.	Students have no clear plan for organizing the information AND/OR students in the group cannot explain their organizational plan.
Participation	Students know what is needed of them and follow the instructions for their part of the WebQuest. They keep their information to then be able to combine it with their partners' information.	All students do their part of the webquest and find the information that is needed. There is equal participation between all students.	Students visit the sites for their job but do not learn information to contribute to their partners.	Students do not know what is going on and do not do their job in the WebQuest.
Presentation	All students are able to present their information in an efficient and concise manner. They are able to put their information together and report out about their job and what they learned from it.	Students are able to explain the information they learned from their job.	Students are able to explain climates in a general sense.	Students do not know what information they are supposed to present to their peers.

Conclusion

Burt thanks your for your help! He was able to successfully learn about the continents from your help and pick the one he will be living on! He hopes everyone will visit him someday. When that happens, he will make sure to show you around his new homeland and have plenty of food and fun!