Teacher Notes

Webquest: A Dinosaur for a Pet

Introduction

Aims

Lesson Outline

Resources

Learning Theories

Specific Learning Outcomes

Assessment Rubric

Introduction

This webquest was designed for use with years 3 and 4 (7 - 8 year olds). It could easily be adapted for use by older children. Some children may need help reading the information contained on websites. All websites are on the open internet and children will need supervision to ensure they do not click on links which take them to other sites. They will need a basic level of knowledge of internet safety and use. Teach them to use the back button on their browser to get back to the original site.

This webquest is a guided inquiry-based unit. It arose from a class discussion on dinosaurs. Several students thought that they would like a t-rex as a pet and most students agreed with them. A few others thought that a t-rex would not be a good pet and so the question "Which dinosaur would make a good pet?" arose.

Aims

To develop students'

higher thinking skills
use of inquiry method to solve problems
understanding of how prehistoric creatures were very different to those today

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Lesson Outline

1. Introduce the students to the topic. They should discuss in groups what they know about dinosaurs.

2. Discuss which dinosaurs they think would make good pets. They should then discuss in groups what they would look for in a pet. List their ideas. Then discuss in groups what they may look for in a pet dinosaur. Students should then make an individual list of things they will be looking for in a dinosaur (Their criteria).

3. Introduce the webquest. Preferably use a data projector so you can explain the webquest to the whole class while they are all able to view it. Put students into groups of two or three children. (See notes on grouping). They should plan how they are going to complete the task.

4. Roster children to use the computer. Children will need two sessions on the internet. The first session of 10 -15 minutes will be used to choose their dinosaur. If only one computer is available then the first task of choosing the six dinosaurs could be done without the use of the computer by displaying the list in the classroom or giving groups a list to choose from.

The second session of 35 - 45 minutes is used to research information. Children can then use books, videos etc to fill in any gaps in their information. If children are not using other resources they may need a third session to look at other websites as listed on the Resource page.

5. Children will need time to fill out their summary charts and discuss in their groups the merits of the dinosaurs as pets and make their final choice. For older children a group choice about a dinosaur is an option.

6. Once they have made their final decision they will need to fill out the sheet with their choice of dinosaur and reasons for that choice. Discussions between teacher and student should take place at this stage about the processes involved in reaching their decision and obtaining their information.

7. Children should prepare a report on their chosen pet. Individually the children will each prepare a page for a Powerpoint (or similar) presentation outlining their chosen pet, its features and needs. This should include images as well as text. They can draw their own pictures or models and scan them or photograph them with a digital camera or they may be able to copy an image from the webpage or insert an image from another source eg clip art. Ensure copyright is respected. They will need time on a computer for this but it does not need internet access. Alternatively children could present this information in chart form.

8. Students will individually present to the class their report including their reasons for their choice of pet in the presentation.

9. In groups students should evaluate the processes involved in making their decisions, problems encountered and solutions found. This should then be shared in a whole class discussion.

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Resources

A computer (or preferably more than one computer) with internet access is needed, although it would be possible to complete this task using book resources. A variety of websites can be found on the Dinosaur Research Page. The main site used is http://www.enchantedlearning.com/ . Children should also have access to a variety of books and/or video resources although it is possible to complete the task using only the web pages.

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Learning Outcomes: The students will:

Use the inquiry approach to make a decision about their choice of dinosaur using information from a variety of sources including web pages.
Report orally to their class on their choice of dinosaur and the reasons for that choice.
Explain the processes involved in researching information and reaching their decision.
Understand that dinosaurs lived millions of years ago and are very different from animals of today.
Present the information about their chosen dinosaur using Powerpoint (or similar programme). Their presentation should contain images as well as text.

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Assessment Rubrics

Assessment is based on the presentation of the final task and explanation of the processes involved.

Dinosaur Choice /15

3 marks	Gives one valid reason for their choice.
6 marks	Gives two valid reasons for their choice.
9 marks	Gives three valid reasons for their choice.
12 marks	Gives four valid reasons for their choice.
15 marks	Gives five or more valid reasons for their choice.

Presentation /10 (A.O.s: Visual Language )

2 marks	Many spelling and grammatical errors. Layout confused. Little effort shown in presentation. Pictures /diagrams unclear an/or inaccurate and contain little detail.
6 marks	Some spelling and grammatical errors. Some attempt at clear layout. Some effort shown in presentation. Some detail and accuracy in pictures and/or diagrams.
10 marks	No spelling or grammatical errors. Clear layout. Effort evident in presentation. Pictures and/or diagrams are clear, detailed, accurate and well-labelled.

Dinosaur Information /50 (A.O.s: Written Language, Reading and Writing Processes, Visual Language Processes, Science)

10 marks	Information copied. Information is confused and inaccurate and/or off the topic. Little information about chosen dinosaur and/or its needs. Little or no attempt to sort information.
20 marks	Some information is in own words. Some information accurate and clear. Some information is on the topic. Dinosaur and its needs are partially described. Some attempt to sort information.
30 marks	Most information in own words. Information mostly accurate and clear. Most information is on the topic. Dinosaur and its needs are adequately described. Most information is sorted.
40 marks	Nearly all information in own words. Information is generally clear and accurate with one or two minor errors. All information is on the topic. Dinosaur and its needs are fully described with only minor exceptions. Information clearly sorted with only minor errors.
50 marks	All information in own words. Information is clear and accurate and on the topic. Dinosaur and its needs are fully described. Information clearly sorted.

Explains Process /10 (A.O.s: Reading and Writing Processes)

2 marks	Unclear explanation with little understanding of processes used.
6 marks	Explanation fairly clear. Some understanding of processes involved.
10 marks	Fully and clearly explains processes involved.

Oral Presentation /15 (A.O.s Oral language)

3 marks	Hard to understand. Poor volume, pace, expression and clarity. Little or no rapport with audience.
6 marks	Fairly easy to understand. Good in three of the following areas: volume, pace, expression, clarity and/or rapport with audience.
9 marks	Fairly easy to understand. Good in four of the following areas: volume, pace, expression, clarity and/or rapport with audience.
12 marks	Easy to understand, and holds audience attention. Very good volume, pace, expression and clarity. Very good rapport with audience.
15 marks	Very easy to understand and holds audience attention easily. Excellent volume, pace, expression and clarity. Excellent rapport with audience.

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Teachers are welcome to use/print/copy any part of this webquest for use with their classes.

The idea for this webquest came from the NSW Country Areas Program On-Line Research Modules at http://www.cap.nsw.edu.au/bb_site_intro/stage1_Modules/research_mods_stage1.htm

All possible steps have been taken to ensure images used are free from copyright for non-commercial use. If you have reason to believe any image is a copyrighted image please contact the page author.

Webquest constructed by Jan-Marie Kellow 2004

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Jan-Marie Kellow 2007
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 License.

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