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Wade into the Wetlands

A WebQuest for Fourth Grade Science

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation

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Introduction

You are working for an environmental agency which may lose its funding for its wetlands project. Your agency is responsible for tracking information on  the Chesapeake Bay. Because the funds are in danger of being cut, you must provide evidence that shows it is extremely important to continue to fund this project.

You have discussed this problem with your small group, and have decided to create a multimedia presentation for the Chesapeake Bay Wetlands Committee.

You and your group will be researching various topics about the Chesapeake Bay wetland region. After completing the research, the group will use Power Point to create a multimedia presentation to be viewed by your agency director.

The group will need to decide who will be responsible for researching the various questions that are in the prompt. Use encyclopedias, books, Internet, and hands-on activities to complete your research.

You will need to take notes using the graphic organizer provided. You will need to refer to the rubric for details about the project. Now begin your research and planning of your multimedia presentation to show the Chesapeake Bay Wetlands Committee that they need to continue funding your project.

For each topic for which you are responsible, you will create a "page" for your presentation. The page will have 2 parts -- an information side and a graphic, or picture. Each graphic must have a caption. 

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Task

Your job is to provide evidence for continuing the wetlands project of conserving the Chesapeake Bay.  You will use Power Point to create a multimedia presentation to be viewed by your agency director.  

As you begin researching your topic for the presentation, you must include answers to the following items:

• What is some general information about your area for the introduction? (location, latitude and longitude, climate, definition)
• Why should we try to conserve this area?
• What are some mammals, birds, and sea life that live in your wetland?
• Are there any endangered animals in this area?
• What type of plant life can be found there?
• What are the resources you used to gather your information?
• What is the title for your presentation?

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Process

1. You will decide who will be responsible for researching the various questions that are in the prompt.
2. You will need to take notes using the graphic organizer provided.  You will use encyclopedias, books and the Internet to complete your research. You will need to refer to the rubric for details about the project.
3. For each topic for which you are responsible, you will create a "page" for your presentation. The page will have 2 parts -- an information side and a graphic, or picture. Each graphic must have a caption and must have the bibliographic source.

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Evaluation

Scoring Rubric

4 - Exemplary

• Group had leadership and worked cooperatively to complete the task.
• Group found information to answer the 6 questions on the prompt.
• Group recorded data using the graphic organizer provided.
• Individuals within the group recorded their information on the outline that was provided.
  • Group completed a script for the multimedia presentation that illustrates the information in a different way. The script
    gave an introduction to the topic
  • answered all 6 questions
  • had more than 10 cards for its presentation
  • had a conclusion
    
• Group was able to create a stack that flows well and logically with the overall stack being very interesting.
• Group used images to enhance the text with the layout of images being pleasing to the eye.
• Group was able to reflect total understanding of the content area.
• Group used button actions that were functional

3 - Meets the standard

• Group worked cooperatively to complete the task.
• Group found information to answer the 6 questions on the prompt.
• Group recorded data using the graphic organizer provided.
• Individuals within the group recorded their information on the outline that was provided.
• Group completed a script for the presentation that illustrates the information in a different way. The script
  • gave an introduction to the topic
  • answered all 6 questions
  • used 10 cards for the scrapbook
  • had a conclusion
• Group was able to create a stack that flowed well with the overall stack being interesting.
• Group used images to enhance the text with the layout of images being acceptable.

2 - Approaches the standard

• Group worked satisfactorily to complete the task.
• Group found information to answer most of the questions on the prompt.
• Group found information to answer most of the questions with supporting details.
• Group recorded data using the graphic organizer provided.
• Group at least partially completed a script for the presentation. The script included some of the following:
  
  • gave an overview of the topic
  • did not answer all 6 questions
  • did not include 10 cards for its presentation
  • had a conclusion
    
• Group was able to create a stack but it was disjointed.
• Group used images that did not enhance the text.

1 - Does not meet the standard

• Group worked on the task.
• Group found little information on the topic.
• Group did not complete a script for the presentation.
• Group was able to create a stack but it was disjointed.
• Group used images that did not enhance the text.
• Group used button actions that were functional

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Last updated on April 21, 2003. 
Based on a template from The WebQuest Page
Designed by Colleen Hughes, Kathy Boivin.  Modified by Diane Kieval