Ecosystems Webquest
Origin of this Webquest
This webquest was developed as the benchmark project in Module III of my MAT program at Bellarmine University. It was designed to help fifth graders better understand the complexities of an ecosystem and how changes to that ecosystem can affect many things. It was also created with the goal that afterward, students would become more environmentally conscious and begin thinking about how their actions affect the world around them.
Learners
This webquest is anchored in fifth grade science, but also involves language arts/writing to lesser extent in Eco Uh-Oh.
Students should have a basic background in persuasive writing prior to this webquest, but other than that, much of the content is taught here.
For students with special needs/learning disabilities: Allow more time to complete (especially in class) and always check to make sure they understand what the videos/games are teaching. The Crash Course video's narrator speaks very quickly, so be sure to show them how to navigate the table of contents to go back and listen.
Students should have a basic background in persuasive writing prior to this webquest, but other than that, much of the content is taught here.
For students with special needs/learning disabilities: Allow more time to complete (especially in class) and always check to make sure they understand what the videos/games are teaching. The Crash Course video's narrator speaks very quickly, so be sure to show them how to navigate the table of contents to go back and listen.
Materials
This is simply a suggested list of materials you might want to have available for your students.
- Posterboard (try to have them bring their own, but have a stock in your room in case they forget)
- Shoeboxes (for dioramas)
- Magazines: Zoobooks, National Geographic (Explorer, Kids, or the regular version)
- Index cards
- Construction paper
- Markers, scissors, glue (you probably already have these!)
- Cardboard of any kind
Standards Addressed by this Webquest
Create an Ecosystem: SC-05-4.7.1, Students will describe
and categorize populations of organisms according to the function they serve in
an ecosystem (e.g., producers, consumers, decomposers); draw conclusions about the effects of changes to
populations in an ecosystem.
Eco Uh-Oh!: SC-05-4.7.1, Students will draw conclusions about the effects of changes to populations in an ecosystem.
Eco Uh-Oh!: SC-05-4.7.1, Students will draw conclusions about the effects of changes to populations in an ecosystem.