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Welcome to Dinosaur WebQuest by Jon Malvin |
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Welcome to Dinosaur WebQuest by Jon Malvin |
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You are working with a team of scientists in search of evidence that dinosaurs roamed the earth. Your team will conduct research using books, magazines, the Internet, and any other source you think is important. Your research will be written daily in a Dino Diary. After your research is complete, you and your team will select a site to begin a dinosaur dig in search of remains.
Before going out and beginning to dig. You must form a team that has a total of four students. Your team has specific roles that each member must perform. To choose the roles, look at the section titled, Activities. Your team must conduct research to select possible sites to dig and eliminate sites that probably will not have many dinosaur remains.
You and your team will conduct research using the library, books, magazines, encyclopedias, maps, the Internet, manipulatives and anything else that will assist you in choosing the best sites to dig.
Everything that the group does should be documented every day in the teams Dino Diary. Include illustrations about important facts.
Your team will discuss the things that they already know about dinosaurs.
Your team will discuss the things that they want to learn about dinosaurs.
The team will discuss the research they have done with each other as well as the entire class.
After the research is complete, the team must:
Publish a paper discussing the types of dinosaur(s) they expect to find. Why do you expect to find that dinosaur?
Hypothesize the area(s) that the dinosaur will most likely be found. The team will illustrate a map detailing the site. Why do you think you will find a dinosaur there?
Select the tools and supplies needed for the dig. Why will you need those tools and supplies? Do your team members agree?
DinoDiaries-Paper-Pencils-Crayons-Maps-Listening center-Dinosaur books-TV/VCR-Dinosaur videos-Internet access-Dinosaur and related links to the Internet-Dinosaur manipulatives-Anything else dinosaur related. An area with sand that dinosaurs and fossils may be buried within (A sandbox would be perfect if it could be reserved for a day or two of digging). Some fossil and dinosaur remains.
To begin, you and your fellow scientists must choose scientific roles. Each person will perform a different role each day.
Choose your roles now.
The Notetaker should
write down which person is performing each role.
Notes should be included in the teams DinoDiary.
The notetaker is responsible for communicating and writing everything
that the team encounters.
The notetaker is the team member who must summarize and explain the
groups activities to the entire classroom each day.
After you list the teams roles, what will you include in your
Dinosaur Log?
The Paleontologist
is responsible for locating and identifying areas that dinosaurs may
have existed.
The paleontologist must choose the sights to dig, and the tools
needed.
The paleontologist needs to decide how the team should function at a
dig.
The paleontologist should work closely with the researcher.
How will you assist the researcher first?
The
Researcher must locate areas where fossils
have been found and report the areas to the notetaker.
The Researcher should also read books, magazines, utilize the
Internet and bring in any other models or manipulatives. All team
members must help the researcher.
Where will you begin your research?
The Manager helps the team to work as a unit. He or she may help to resolve problems that may occur. The manager is responsible for supplies in the classroom and on the dig. The manager helps any of the team members as needed. Don't forget digging materials and food and water. The manager must also assist in the research. What else will you need?
Scientific roles should be changed every day. Remember, it is the job of the Notetaker to write down who is performing which role EVERY DAY!!! The goal is for all team members to work together.
GO!
The teacher will begin by reading a
dinosaur book that is appropriate for the classroom.
The students will begin discussing some facts that the students
already know about dinosaurs and what they want to learn about
dinosaurs.
The students and teacher will discuss the various mediums that can be
used for research.
After some discussion, the students (or teacher) will begin to form
groups of four.
Some Internet Sites that may be helpful:
Zoomdinosaurs This is a very kid-friendly site. Lots of great dinosaur information and illustrations.
Dinosaur Hunters This site is from The Discovery Channel. You can meet actual dinosaur hunters.
Dinosaurs in New Mexico This site highlights Dinosaurs in New Mexico at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History.
Dinosaur Valley Museum This site is from Dinosaur Valley Museum &emdash; the Museum of Western Colorado's paleontology center.
What does a paleontologist do? This site describes what a paleontologist does.
Hunting Dinosaurs in the desert This will tell you the best spots to search for dinosaurs in the desert.
Desert Dinosaurs This site will describes two types of dinosaurs: Saurischia (lizard-hipped dinosaurs) and Ornithischia (bird-hipped dinosaurs).
Desert Dinosaur Hunting Grounds Here you will find museums that you can visit to study dinosaurs.
Book Titles about Dinosaurs Titles are listed for children and young adults.
Paleontologists Terrific links to famous paleontologists.
Paleontologist Resource Page Great links to Museums, Indexing Sites, Journals, Ask a Paleontologist, Geological Time Periods, Fossils, Fossil Fuel, Dinosaurs, The Ice Age.
. . . . . . . .
Whew! All of your teams research has been a success! Your research paper will be available for other researchers to use. If your team located a dinosaur or fossil evidence, they will be on display.
Your final task is to reflect on all of the research and the dig and how the team members worked together. Include your thoughts in your free-writing journal. What did you learn? What would you change?