Introduction
The Florida Everglades is one of the most unique places in our state and is home to many different plants and animals. In this WebQuest, you will learn more about the Everglades, some of the problems it faces, and what people can do to help protect it.
Guiding Question:
How can we help protect the Everglades and the plants and animals that live there?
Learning Objective:
By the end of this activity, students will be able to explain how people can affect the environment and create a presentation showing ways to protect the Everglades.
Bloom’s Taxonomy:
Students will analyze information and create a final project.
Florida Standard:
SC.4.L.17.4 – Recognize ways plants and animals, including humans, can impact the environment.
Task
You will work with a small group to learn more about the Florida Everglades. Your group will create a short Canva presentation showing what you learned.
Your presentation should include:
- What the Everglades is
- Plants and animals that live there
- One problem affecting the Everglades
- How people can affect the environment
- Ways people can help protect it
At the end, your group will share the presentation with the class.
Process
Step 1: Research
Use the websites provided to learn about the Everglades, its wildlife, and some of the environmental problems it faces.
You can use these official National Park Service resources:
Everglades National Park Education Resources
The National Park Service provides student resources about Everglades habitats, animals, human impacts, climate change, and restoration.
Step 2: Choose your group roles
Researcher: Finds important facts and information.
Writer: Organizes the information and writes the main ideas.
Designer: Creates the Canva presentation and adds pictures.
Presenter: Helps prepare and present the project to the class.
Everyone should still help each other throughout the project.
Step 3: Work together
Use a shared Google Doc to keep your notes, share ideas, and leave comments for your group members.
Step 4: Create
Use Canva to create your group presentation. Make sure it is clear, organized, and easy to understand.
Step 5: Review
Before turning it in, make sure all of the required information is included, the facts are correct, and everyone participated.
Evaluation
| Category | Excellent – 3 | Good – 2 | Needs Improvement – 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information | Information is complete and accurate. | Most information is complete. | Important information is missing. |
| Problem & Solution | Clearly explains a problem and a way to help. | Gives a basic problem and solution. | Problem or solution is unclear. |
| Presentation | Slides are organized, creative, and easy to understand. | Slides are mostly organized. | Slides are difficult to follow. |
| Teamwork | Everyone participated and worked together. | Most group members participated. | Group participation was limited. |
| Presentation Skills | Group explains the project clearly. | Presentation is mostly clear. | Presentation is difficult to understand. |
Conclusion
Great job! You have learned more about the Florida Everglades, the plants and animals that live there, and how people can affect the environment. You also explored ways that people can help protect this important part of Florida.
For an extra activity, choose one animal that lives in the Everglades and learn three interesting facts about it.
The National Park Service wildlife section includes information about mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians, and other animals found in the park.
Credits
Resources used:
National Park Service – Everglades National Park
CPALMS – Florida State Standards
Canva
Teacher Page
Grade Level: 4th Grade
Subject: Science
Topic: The Florida Everglades and Human Impact on the Environment
Students will work in groups to research the Everglades and create a Canva presentation. The activity encourages research, teamwork, technology use, and environmental awareness.
The National Park Service currently provides curriculum resources specifically for fourth-grade students and other elementary/middle grades, so it is a good fit for this lesson.