Webquest

Created by:

Jennifer Farist

ZZZZ

IntroductionTask Process EvaluationConclusion Credits

OverviewFifth grade students will work cooperatively to learn more about specific types of sharks, especially those that live at the Ripleys Aquarium of the Smokies.

S5CS6 Students will question scientific claims and arguments effectively.

S5CS3 Students will use tools and instruments for observing, measuring, and manipulating objects in scientific activities.

S5CS5 Students will communicate scientific ideas and activities clearly.

Introduction

• Each year, hundreds of lucky students are allowed to sleep in the shark tunnel at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.

• Because of media coverage of recent shark attacks, our local school board has cancelled the annual fifth grade trip.

• Concerned parents have hired the Shark Safety Network to provide data to convince the school board that the sharks in the aquarium pose no danger to students.

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Task

• As a newly hired member of the Shark Safety Network, you will complete thorough research about sharks.

• You will then work with your team members to prepare a presentation that will convince the school board that the field trip should be reinstated.

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Process

1) Spend 10 minutes answering some basic questions about sharks.

(Basic shark facts)

2) You and your group will be assigned a specific type of shark that lives at the aquarium to learn more about:

Nurse, bonnethead, whitetip reef shark, or gray reef shark

Process

• Locate information about:– Size– Habitat– Teeth– Eating habits– Known attacks on

humans• Complete an organizational

chart similar to the one on the next slide for presentation to the school board.

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Eating habits

sizeAttacks on humans

habitat

Describe teeth

Type of shark

3) Create an accurate (size and features) model of your specific shark using art supplies provided by teacher.

4) Prepare an oral presentation with evidence that will convince the school board to reinstate the field trip. This presentation should include both factual and educational reasoning for the trip.

Evaluation

Accuracy of

Information

Much inaccurate information

Some information accurate

Most information accurate

All information accurate

Cooperation in group

There was little participation and/or cooperation in group

Some members participated and cooperated

Most members participated and cooperated

All group members participated and cooperated

Organizational chart

Few circles completed

Some circles completed

Most circles completed

All circles completed

Shark model Messy or inaccurate representation

Somewhat accurate model

Mostly accurate model

Neatly constructed and accurate model

Oral

Presentation

Not convincing Somewhat convincing

Very convincing Extremely convincing

0-5 6-10 11-15 16-20Points

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Conclusion

What is your opinion on shark feeding for tourists?

Explore pros and cons here:

#1

#2

#3

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Credits

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/education/questions/Basics.html

http://archives.cnn.com/2001/US/09/06/shark.feeding/

http://www.underwatercam.de/shark_feeding/shark_feeding.htm

http://www.elasmodiver.com/Shark%20Feeding%20Information.htm

http://www.ripleysaquariumofthesmokies.com/

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