Introduction

You are about to go on a journey into the world of animals.  You will become an animal researcher. You will select an animal to research, learn about adaptations, and present your findings to other researchers at the Animal Adaptations' Convention. Have fun, work hard, and good luck!

What are animal adaptations?

In order to view the following video, click on the word "adaptations" below.  You will need to ask your teacher for the United Streaming username and password.  You will need to type in the username and password so that the video will play. 

adaptations

The Task

As a result of this webquest, you will:
•    Choose one of five animals to research
•    Visit various sites to conduct research
•    Fill out a graphic organizer
•    Construct a Power Point presentation
•    Present your findings to fellow researchers

You will use the Web, United Streaming, and Microsoft Power Point.

The Process

To accomplish the task, you will be working in groups of three. You will need to:

1. Choose one of the animals below to research. Your group must agree on the same animal to research. After you have decided, start visiting the given websites to find information about the animal you have chosen. Each day a different group member will be the leader and computer "driver."

2. Print the worksheets to take notes while researching. Each member of the group will need a set of these.

Giraffe

http://www.oaklandzoo.org/atoz/azgiraf.html

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/kids/creature_feature/0111/giraffes.html

http://www.awf.org/wildlives/118

http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-giraffe.html

http://www.kidszoo.com/animals/giraffe.htm

Polar Bear

http://www.mnh.si.edu/arctic/html/polar_bear.html

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngkids/0112/ws_main.html

http://www.thewildones.org/SFC/Seana/sophie.html

http://www.kidsplanet.org/factsheets/polar_bear.html

http://www.polar-bears-polar-bears.com/

Manatee

http://www.savethemanatee.org/faq.htm

http://www.thewildones.org/Animals/manatee.html

http://www.galeschools.com/environment/endangered/manatee.htm

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/kids/creature_feature/0307/manatees.html

http://www.homesafe.com/manatee/manatee-facts.html

Gila Monster

http://www.scz.org/animals/g/gila.html

http://www.gila-monster.org/gila-monsters-links.htm

http://www.whozoo.org/anlife2000/jamiebritt/gilaindexrev.html

http://www.nashvillezoo.org/gila.htm

Toucan

http://www.amersol.edu.pe/ms/7th/7block/jungle_research/new_cards/40/40card.html

http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/hellyer/toucan.html

http://www.mnzoo.com/animals/bird_show/kbtoucan_1.asp

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/reallywild/amazing/toucan.shtml

3. Plan and create a Power Point presentation.  Make sure to click on each page below for directions. Click on the word Planning and print out the Power Point Planning Sheets to plan your Power Point. You will be presenting information about your animal's diet, body structure, behavior, habitat, and interesting facts. You will also be explaining what might happen if your animal no longer had its special adaptations. 

Evaluation

You will receive both an individual and a group grade based on the grid below.

Conclusion

Congratulations!  You have completed your mission!  You now have a better understanding of the animal that you chose.  Your hard work has paid off!  Please visit the sites below for some fun extra activities about animal adaptations.   

http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/eco_info/topics/climate/adaptations/index.cfm

http://fen.com/studentactivities/CCCNet/sciencelab/Animals/AnimalAdapts.html

http://www.kidsdomain.com/games/animal2.html

http://www.kidscom.com/games/animal/animal.html

http://place.scholastic.com/magicschoolbus/games/habitat/

Take a quiz to show your knowledge at the following site:

http://www5.unitedstreaming.com/videos/11279/11279_BM.pdf

http://www.huntingsociety.org/

http://www.whozoo.org/anlife2000/jamiebritt/gilaindexrev.html

http://www.unitedstreaming.com

Thanks to Amanda Jones and Debbie Sprock for allowing permission to revise their webquest. jonesamanda@rockwood.k12.mo.us