Ocean Quest

A WebQuest for 2nd Grade Science

Designed by Kristin McLachlan and Kary Harper

E-mail Kristin         E-mail Kary

scuba diver

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page

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Introduction

Get ready to embark on an amazing exploration of the ocean.  You will be exploring the different zones of the ocean as well as what animals and plants inhabit these zones.  You will have the opportunity to discover what striking creatures and plant life make up our wonderful ocean.

Task

Your job is to produce a concept map based on the information you find.  It will be through these maps that we as a class will be able to identify the three ocean zones and what goes on within them.  The concept maps must include the name of the zone, it's location, zone depth, animal life present, and plant and food resources.  Also included should be pictures to enhance the facts you found.

Process

  • The class will be divided into 3 groups of 6 students.  Within each group you will work with a partner.
  • Decide which of the following areas each pair will research within the group:
Zone Environment - This pair is responsible for finding out where the zone is located, what is the depth, and any other important characteristics of the environment.  For each question, create a notecard to list your findings.

Animal Life - This pair is responsible for finding out what animals are or are not present and why or why not.  For each question, create a notecard to list your findings.

Food & Plant Resources - This pair is responsible for finding out how much food is available, what plants are present, and how they are able to survive.   For each question, create a notecard to list your findings.
  • When each pair has decided on their area, one member should see the teacher for a stack of notecards.
  • On the front of each card, write the question you are researching.
  • Locate your zone below and click on the questions related to your area.  This will link you to websites containing the necessary information you will need to complete your task.

    The Zones
sun
Sunlight Zone



sunrise Twilight Zone



moon
Midnight Zone

  • Get together with your zone group and use Inspiration to create a concept map to represent your zone.  Each expert should use their knowledge of the ocean zones (zone name, zone depth and location, animal life, and plant life).   Use the resources available to you to decorate your maps (pictures, bubbles, links). 
  • Each group will present their concept maps with the class to share the knowledge they've learned.

Evaluation

At the conclusion of the activity, each group will present the concept maps they've created for each zone of the ocean.   Students will be graded for both their individual effort as well as the group's effort on this project.  The table below shows how you will be graded.

Needs Improvement

1

Below
Average

2

 Average

3

Excellent

4

Score

 

Answered all questions about their assigned zone

 

 Did not answer any questions about their assigned zone. Answered some questions.  Answered most questions incorrectly. Answered all questions.  Answered most questions correctly. Answered all questions.  Answered all questions correctly.

 

Layout of Concept Map

 

 No Concept Map created. Concept Map created but missing some information. Concept Map created and includes al information. Concept Map includes all information.  It  includes lots of resources to illustrate the assigned zone.

 

Presentation of Concept Map

 

 No Concept Map presented. Concept Map presented.  Students did not speak clearly or explain all information.
 Concept Map presented.  Students spoke clearly and explained all information. Concept Map presented.  Students included additional information to illustrate the assigned zone.

 

Student Individual Effort

 

 No participation. Some participation.  Student off-task a lot. Student tried their best at all times. Student exceeded requirements of the assignment.

 

Overall Team Work

 

 No team work. Some team work.  Team off-task a lot. Team worked together to do their best at all times. Team exceeded requirements of the assignment.
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Conclusion

By now you should have a good understanding of the zones of our oceans.  How does pollution affect plants and animals that live within each zone?  What can we do to make our oceans cleaner?

Check out this web site to see what more you can do to help our oceans:

Reef Relief

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Credits & References

We all benefit by being generous with our work. Permission is hereby granted for other educators to copy this WebQuest, update or otherwise modify it, and post it elsewhere provided that the original author's name is retained along with a link back to the original URL of this WebQuest. On the line after the original author's name, you may add Modified by (your name) on (date) . If you do modify it, please let me know and provide the new URL.

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Last updated on May 4, 2002. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page