Introduction
Welcome, Everglades Explorers!
The Florida Everglades is home to many different animals, including alligators, birds, turtles, frogs, manatees, and the Florida panther. Each animal has special features that help it live and survive in the Everglades.
During this WebQuest, you will watch a short video, choose an Everglades animal, learn a few facts about it, and create your own animal fact card. Get ready to explore!
Task
Your job is to become an expert on one animal that lives in the Florida Everglades.
You will find out:
What kind of animal it is
What it eats
Where it lives
What helps it survive
At the end, you will create an animal fact card and share your favorite fact with the class.
Process
Step 1: Watch and Listen
Watch the short video about the sounds of the Everglades.
https://www.nps.gov/media/video/view.htm?id=0974E3E3-8B21-44E5-A60D-F64C0B4FC313
While you watch, listen carefully to the sounds around you.
Write or draw one sound you noticed. It could be an animal, water, wind, or insects.
Step 2: Choose an Animal
Choose one animal that lives in the Everglades.
You may choose:
American alligator
Florida panther
Manatee
Turtle
Frog
Snake
Another teacher-approved Everglades animal (ask me)
Step 3: Find Four Facts
Use the National Park Service wildlife website or classroom books.
https://www.nps.gov/ever/learn/nature/wildlife.htm
Answer these questions:
What animal group does your animal belong to? Is it a mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, or fish?
What does your animal eat?
Where does your animal live?
What body part or behavior helps it survive?
Your answers can be short. You do not need to write long paragraphs.
Step 4: Create Your Animal Fact Card
Your animal fact card should include:
The name of your animal
A drawing of your animal
Its animal group
What it eats
Where it lives
One unique feature of your animal (What makes it special?)
Make your fact card colorful and neat.
Step 5: Share
Show the class your card and tell us all about your animal
Evaluation
3 Points
I included all four facts.
My picture is clear and matches my animal.
My work is neat, colorful, and easy to read.
I shared my animal and favorite fact.
2 Points
I included two or three facts.
My picture is included but needs more detail.
Most of my work is easy to read.
I shared with some help.
1 Point
I included one fact.
My picture is missing.
My work is difficult to read.
I did not share.
Total of 12 points.
Conclusion
Great job!
You learned that the Everglades is home to many different animals. You also learned that each animal has special traits and behaviors that help it find food, stay safe, and survive in its habitat.
Think about this question:
What is one thing people can do to help protect the Everglades and the animals that live there?
Credits
National Park Service. “Sounds of the Everglades.”
https://www.nps.gov/media/video/view.htm?id=0974E3E3-8B21-44E5-A60D-F64C0B4FC313
National Park Service. “Wildlife.”
https://www.nps.gov/ever/learn/nature/wildlife.htm
National Park Service. “Everglades National Park.”
https://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm
Teacher Page
3rd Grade
Science, reading, writing, art, and technology
Time Needed
1.5 hours
Learning Goal
Students will research one animal from the Florida Everglades and learn about its animal group, food, habitat, and survival traits. Students will use their research to create and share an animal fact card.
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
Identify and classify an Everglades animal. Explain what the animal eats and where it lives. Describe one way the animal survives. Create and share an animal fact card.
Standards
SC.3.L.15.1 Students classify animals into major groups based on their physical characteristics and behaviors.
ELA.3.C.4.1 Students conduct research to answer a question and organize information from different sources.
Materials
Computer
Everglades video and wildlife website
Paper, pencils, crayons, or markers
Teaching Directions
I would begin by asking students what they already know about the Florida Everglades. We would watch the short Everglades video and talk about the sounds and habitats they noticed.
Next, students would choose an Everglades animal and find four facts about it. They could work alone or with a partner. Students would use their research to create an animal fact card and then share with the class.
Technology
Students will use a computer to research an Everglades animal using the National Park Service website.
Student Support
Students who need help may work with a partner, and use sentence starters.
Sentence starters:
My animal is a _
It eats _
It lives _
It survives by _
Students who finish early should add 2 more fun facts.
Assessment
Students will be graded using the 12-point rubric.