Process
As a class, discuss endangered animals and fill in a KWL chart with what you already know and what you want to learn from this project. Write all of that information on chart paper and save it for the end of your research. While you are completing the WebQuest, you need to fill out this checklist to stay on track.
Step One: Choose an Animal
- Form a group of four.
- As a group, visit this website about endangered animals.
- After reviewing the information together, make a list of the reasons why an animal may become endangered.
- Now you are each going to look more closely at a specific animal that is endangered.
- Each group member will choose an animal from this list of endangered animals. Jaguar, Stellar Sea Lion, Howler Monkey, or Manatee.
Step Two: Research Your Animal
- Get into expert groups according to what animal you have chosen and begin researching with other students who have chosen the same animal as you.
- Using the provided websites and other resources (i.e. books, magazines), find out information about the animals you have chosen using the notes page that has been provided.
- Discuss the information you have discovered and discuss what information your home group needs to know.
- Make sure you have completed your notes page before returning to your original groups.
Jaguar |
Steller Sea Lion |
Howler Monkey |
Manatee |
Step Three: Group Discussion
Return to your original groups from Step One. Discuss the endangered animals you researched with your group. Use this notes page to take notes on your group member's animals while they are sharing their research findings.
After each person has shared about their animal, answer the following questions together:
What do the endangered animals have in common?
What is making these animals become endangered?What can be done for the animals?
What can you do to help endangered animals? What does it mean to be endangered?
What is extinction?
Are some animals extinct?
Are there endangered animals where I live?
What can you do to help endangered animals?
After each person has shared about their animal, answer the following questions together:
What do the endangered animals have in common?
What is making these animals become endangered?What can be done for the animals?
What can you do to help endangered animals? What does it mean to be endangered?
What is extinction?
Are some animals extinct?
Are there endangered animals where I live?
What can you do to help endangered animals?
Step Four: Create Group Presentations
In your original groups of four, create a group project. Your project must inform others about endangered animals and each endangered animal you researched. Also, include three ideas of what you can do to help save endangered animals in general. (Does not have to be ideas for a specific species, but should include ways to save all endangered animals.) Presentations will be assessed using this rubric. When you are finished with your project go to Step Five on the Conclusion page for an extension activity.