ZOO ANIMAL Poster WebQuest

There are 12 exhibits that need kid friendly posters for the resident animals.  You and your partner(s) will research one of these animals using internet sites and some print materials.  Your research will be shared in a poster format which will have a variety of different non-fiction text features that we have studied in class.  When we have finished the project, we will invite school staff to stop by and see our projects.

Animal Posters Needed

1. Follow along as we go over the pages in your animal packet.  You will need to use these as you go through your WebQuest.  All pages from the packet will be underlined in these directions. 

2. As you use or complete the pages, put your initials on the bottom of ones you worked on.  Some pages should be completed by all partners.  Other pages need only be filled in by one partner.  SHARE THE WORKLOAD.

3. As a team, choose one animal from the list provided by your teacher.

4. Find the QR codes boxes sheet and use that to visit the different websites.

5. Look for facts to fill in the animal information graphic organizer with notes from your research.  Remember to use your internet safety skills as you research online.  Some of the sites have ads.  Stay focused on your work and do not click on ads within the websites.  

6. For each site that gives you information for your poster, color in the check box next to that QR code on your resource sheet.  You will need these to give credit to your sources at the end of the project. Remember our class discussion about how we respectfully borrow the work of others.

7. During your tech special, you will be able to copy and save an image of your animal to be printed out. 

8. You and your partners will ‘brainstorm’ a list of at least 6 different text features from the packet of flashcards and wall posters we have from our unit on nonfiction text features.  **Hint: some text features will not work on a poster display.  You may use a text feature more than once, but you must have at least 6 different ones on your poster.  

9. Every poster will have one paragraph introducing your animal.  Other facts you have researched will be shared in the 6, or more, text features you choose to use (heading, map, photograph, at least 3 other features of your choice).

10. You may put your facts on paper and then glue your work onto your poster board.  

11. Be neat, use your best spelling and writing habits, use color to help make your display appealing.  

12. Use your best cooperative partner skills when working on this poster together.  Teamwork is important.

13. When you are finished, cut out the QR code boxes of the sources you used (colored check box).  Glue these to the back of your poster under the heading: RESOURCES USED.

You will be given scores for 4 parts of your work.  We will go over the rubric in your animal packet before we begin our work.

1. How well you work cooperatively with your partner(s)

2. The information you gather through your research

3. The information you display on your poster (1 paragraph and at least 6 nonfiction text features)

4. How detailed, neat and organized your information is displayed on your poster

Congratulations, teams, for a job well done.  Zoos and aquariums are exciting places for children to visit.  Animals are so unpredictable and just plain fun to watch.  It is also important that children learn about animals from all over the world and understand their behavior.  Having information displays that are geared to younger readers opens up the world of animals directly to them.  You have accomplished your mission!

ADDITIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITES:

For some fun now that your work is done, visit some web cams from actual zoos/aquariums (3 from nearby Massachusetts) and other worldwide sites during your tech special.

Live Cameras | San Diego Zoo

Webcams | Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

Western Lowland Gorilla | Franklin Park Zoo

North American River Otter | Stone Zoo

Mexican Gray Wolf | Stone Zoo

Giant Ocean Tank Webcam - New England Aquarium

Penguin Webcam - New England Aquarium

Explore.org

RESOURCES:

Internet:

1. Title: All Animals A-Z List

https://a-z-animals.com/animals/

2. Title: World Book Online Student 

(access via Clever badges)

https://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Login?ed=wb&tu=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldbookonline.com%2Fstudent-new%2F%23%2Fhome

3. Title: Atlas Kids/Britannica Kids

https://kids.britannica.com/kids/browse/atlas  

4. Title:  Pebble Go

(access via Clever badges)

https://www.pebblego.com/

5. Title: National Geographic Kids

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals

6. Title:  Smithsonian National Zoo

https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals

7. Title:  Duckster: Animals for Kids

https://www.ducksters.com/animals.php

8. Title: SoftSchool Animal Facts

 https://www.softschools.com/facts/animals/

9. Title:  NatureWorks (use animal list on the right)

https://nhpbs.org/natureworks/nw4.htm

Print:

1. TpT Resource

What I Have Learned (seller); Animal research packets;

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/46-Nonfiction-Animal-Reading-Passages-Comprehension-Activities-5-Habitats-2090842

2. Reading A-Z nonfiction books

Leveled books from this online site (must purchase an annual license) can be printed out for select animals.

https://accounts.learninga-z.com/ng/member/login?siteAbbr=raz

Student paper copy of QR codes to be printed for students to keep track of information sources used and then pasted onto back of the poster to cite resources.

Clipart credits:

Peeking Zoo Animals Sublimation Clipart Graphic by Kookie House · Creative Fabrica

Zoo the Animals Wildlife Watercolor Graphic by WatercolorEps · Creative Fabrica

QR CODE BOXES SHEET (See paper copy in student animal packet)

LIST OF ANIMALS  (See paper copy of the list of animals in student animal packet.)

• Ostrich

• Elephant

• Rattlesnake

• Prairie Dog

• Giant Panda

• Puffins

• Gorilla

• Tarantula

• Desert Tortoise

• Gila Monster

• Armadillo

• Bobcat

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER  (See paper copy of graphic organizer in student animal packet.)

MAP (See paper copy in student animal packet.)