Introduction

This project was developed as part of a technology course at the Univeristy of Nevada Las Vegas. This webquest was designed to provide enrichment to a ocean and marine animal life unit.

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Learners

This lesson was designed for second grade students.  The lesson's focus is in life science but can be crossed with language arts and fine arts.  Students should have previously studied about ocean life before beginning this quest. 

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Curriculum Standards

Students will learn from this quest about a animal that lives in an ocean. 
Life Science Standards:

•    Investigate, observe, and describe how animals grow and change through their life cycles 

•    Conduct investigations and experiments independently or with a partner.

•    Make observations and give descriptions using words, numbers and     drawings

Language Art Standards:

•    Locate and use information from reference materials and technology 

•    Construct simple graphic organizer to show relationships of ideas

This lesson will require students to work well with a group as well as their partner.  They will need to have good organizational skills, creative production, and be able to problem solve.

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Process

The process to this webquest is fairly simple. It may take two to three science periods to complete. Depending on time that you can set aside for this project.  As with all lessons clear expectations of partner roles and work time should be established before starting.
1.    Place students in pairs.  You may choose the pairings or allow students to choose their own partner.
2.   Before you allow students to choose a marine animal, you should take them through the site and explain what your expectations are for this assignment.
3.  Log books should be made prior to beginning this project.  You may include the pages that are available here or create your own. 
4.  Allow time for students to complete their log books. 
5.   Before allowing students to create their model.  They should first take the information that they learned from doing their research and make an informal plan of items that will be needed for their habitat.  After the plan is complete partners may create models together or individually.
6.   Good luck, captains!

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Variations

For those students who do not have permission to use the internet you may allow them to use encylopedias, or they may look on with other students, but not work the computer.

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Resources Needed
Materials needed for this lesson:

• Computers with the internet 
• Log books. 
•  Materials for models:  shoe boxes, markers, crayons, color pencils, construction paper, glue, modeling clay, paint, paint brushes, water colors.  The materials will depend on what you have available and what you want students to use. 

Web site used to make log books:
Log Book

Marine Life Log Book
 

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Evaluation

To assess this lesson you will need to develop a rubric or use the one at the student page.
 
 
 

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Conclusion
This lesson can meet many curriculum goals and is flexible in its design.  You man change the lesson to suit your needs.

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Credits & References

Images and graphics were borrowed from these site:

Great White                        Orca

The Dandin Group                WDCS
Sharks
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