Discover the Ocean WebQuest


for Grades 3 and 4

Introduction

Get your diving equipment and prepare to explore the deep blue ocean. These oceans are millions of years old and filled with unusual plants and strange creatures. Through this webquest you will discover some interesting facts about the oceans and the plants and creatures that live in them. You will also find out how pollution affects oceans and what we can do to help. Jump in and begin your webquest.

Task

You will create a "Discover the Ocean" book. Use the resources and websites listed to find the answers to the following questions. Be sure to take notes and make sketches in your Science notebook for each question.


The notes and sketches will make it easier to create your finished book.

Questions

  • Name the five oceans. Which ocean is the largest.
  • How are waves created?
  • Name three mammals that live in the Ocean. Which one is your favorite? Why?
  • Where is one of the largest coral reefs located? What is it called? Find three types of coral. Draw and write the name for each one.
  • Who is Robert Ballard? Why is he an important "ocean" person?
  • The Polar areas are home to many creatures who depend on the ocean. Name three polar animals that spend time in the ocean. How do they stay warm?
  • Name an endangered species that lives in the ocean. What are some ways that people could help this animal to survive?
  • What does a Great White Shark eat?

Process and Product

Follow these steps to gather the information and create your Ocean Book.

  1. Write each question on a clean page in your Science notebook.
  2. Look up the answers using the websites and resources listed. Carefully write the answers in your notebook for the questions. Make sketches in your notebook also. You will use the answers and sketches to help complete your book.
  3. Each book page must have a question, answer, and illustration.
  4. You will use the computer to create your book pages. You may use Microsoft Word, Print Shop, or Kidspiration to create your pages and illustrations.
  5. Illustrations may be drawings, clip art, or pictures. Make sure that you list the website, software, or book that you used if you copy illustrations. Write this information under the picture. Examples: Hand drawn, Kidspiration, Print Shop,
  6. On the Title page, include the title, your name, the date, and your room number.
  7. Use this example to create each book page:

8. You will make a cover for your book and place the pages inside. You may

staple your book together, or have it spiral bound at the Media Center.

Turn your finished product in to be graded.

Advice

Work carefully. Takes good notes. Answer each question as best as you can. Take pride in making your book, you will be sharing it with younger students. Ask for help if you get stuck on a question or have a problem. Look at the Webquest Rubric to make sure that you have completed all the parts of the project. When you have finished, turn your book in to the teacher. Then, visit the Interactive Websites and enjoy doing some ocean activities.

Resources for Research

Websites:

Interactive Websites:

Puffy The Puffer's Book of Fun Fish Facts

Dive and Discover

Dolphin and Whale Games

Whale Times Kids Page

Databases:

Infotrac - Select General Reference Gold Search. Type in 'oceans'. Look at the encyclopedia articles and the Reference Book information.

Electric Library - Type in 'oceans' for a search term. Choose Reference Desk Picks. Use the encyclopedia. There are three to choose from.

Software:

World Book Encyclopedia on CD-ROM

Encarta Encyclopedia on CD-ROM

Books:

World Book Encyclopedia - on Reference Shelf

551.46 Dipper Guide to the Oceans

591.77 Gray Ocean

Software to Use to Create a Finished Product:

Microsoft Word

Kidspiration

Print Shop


* Discuss any other software that you want to use with the teacher.

Evaluation

Webquest Rubric / Possible Points / Points Earned
Book cover and Title page - contain title, name, date, room number. / 4
Book pages contain question, correct answer(s), illustration, and source of illustration. / 10 points per page
Use of websites and software. / 10
Neatness / 2
Turned in on time. / 2
Sharing book with younger student. / 2
Total Points / 100

Reflection

By word processing or writing on notebook paper answer the following questions and turn them in with your book.

  1. What was the most interesting website that you visited?
  2. What part of the project was the most fun?
  3. Did you enjoy using websites as part of the project? Why?
  4. Did you have any problems completing the project? What were they?
  5. Would you like to do another webquest project? What subject would interest you?

Conclusion

You are now an experienced ocean explorer. You looked for facts and visited some cool websites. You learned new uses for technology on the Internet and on CD-ROM. Now it's time to enjoy the ocean and play some ocean games on the interactive websites. Jump in and have fun.

Adult/Teacher Materials

Websites:

National Oceanic and AtmosphericAdministration. Especially for teachers, information on weather, climate, oceans, satellites, and space.

British Broadcasting Corporation guide to the natural history of oceans.

British Broadcasting Corporation Teacher'sPage - includes teacher notes, lesson plans, and worksheets for a variety of age levels and subjects.

National Science Foundation Division ofOcean Science - a guide to websites about the Ocean Sciences.

Aquatic Network - Oceanography Topics. A wealth of links to oceanography resources on general through specific topics. Examples: Global climate, islands, marine biology, coral reefs, marine animals, and more.

Alan Alda Scientific American Frontiers Series on PBS

Watch "Mysteries of the Deep" online and learn about ocean exploration, remote control crafts, and other secrets of the deep. Includes web links and teaching guides.

Play Beneath the Sea, an interactive game about creatures living at different depths, watch an online video "Creatures of the Mid-Ocean, and explore the theory of continental drift.

Videos:

Seashore [videorecording] (Eyewitness Seashore), DK Vision, 1996. (35 min.) 0789407221 Visit the seashore and learn about the land, animals, plants, and human visitors. Review at Amazon.com

Ocean [videorecording] (Eyewitness Ocean), DK Vision, 1997. (35 min.) 078942147X Visit the deepest parts of the ocean and see some strange creatures. Review at Amazon.com

Catherine Clark

L595 Ocean Webquest Summer I

Page 1 11/04/18