Lesson
Name: "The Desert is
Ours"
Grade
Level: This WebQuest is designed to
be used in grades 4-6, although younger students can be partnered
with older students to complete the unit.
Curricular
Areas: Science, Geography, Art,
Technology, and Language Arts
Time Frame:
This unit will probably require 4-6 weeks to complete but can be
extended or shortened according to how it is utilized.
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Goals and
Objectives of this WebQuest
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- Students will explore and research
general information about the Sonoran Desert and record their
findings in a research log.
- The learners will gather
information about the animals, reptiles, plants, rocks and
minerals of the Sonoran Desert in a library and record what they
learn in a research log.
- Students will utilize the Internet
to gather information about the Sonoran Desert and print out the
information that is necessary for this unit.
- The learners will design a
HyperStudio stack that will teach the audience what they have
learned about the desert.
- The students will create a diorama
of a mini-desert botanical garden that will incorporate what they
have learned about the desert.
- The class will work together in
cooperative groups to accomplish most of the tasks.
- The learners will develop an
understanding and respect of the desert by completing this
WebQuest.
- Anticipate students' need for
vocabulary development before or during project by previewing the
student component and resources.
- Go through the Internet resources
to make sure that all links are working.
- Print out project so students can
refer back to it when working offline.
- Online images may take time to
load, so have some type of other work available for students to do
while they wait.
- Have class/group discussion after
each step in the process. This will help students organize their
thoughts and check for understanding.
- Bring in or have students bring in
any kinds of plants, animals or rocks from the desert that they
might already have.
- Visit a desert botanical garden or
contact a guest speaker to visit your class.
- Bring in children's books,
photographs, artwork and music relating to the desert.
- Get materials donated for the
desert dioramas.
- Prepare the students for the
contest and discuss the outcomes of a contest so there will be no
hurt feelings if their project is not chosen.
Nine
Good Reasons to Use the Internet
WWW
Research Investigation
The site provides the steps to
construct student research lessons centered on WWW curriculum
areas.
More
links about the Internet for educational purposes.
Dr.
Alice Christie's Web Page about WebQuests
Literature Studies
for:
The
Desert is Theirs
The
Desert is Theirs
Everybody
Needs a Rock
This WebQuest follows the
NETS
technology standards and the Arizona
State Technology Standards
- Researching other areas of Arizona,
such as, the forests, mountains and water areas could easily
extend this WebQuest.
- Two classrooms from the same school
or a neighboring school could do this Quest together. Each class
could research one aspect of the desert and then get together to
share information.
- The information gathered from the
WebQuest could be shared on-line with Key Pals anywhere in the
world.
- Visit the Desert Botanical Gardens
in Phoenix or the Arizon-Sonora Museum in Tucson.
- Visit the Arizona Mineral and Rock
Museum in Phoenix.
- Invite speakers from your school to
present information about the Sonoran Desert to your class or
school.
- Access programs from Cable TY or
PBS on the Sonoran Desert to show the students.
- The class could do an extensive
author study on Byrd Baylor and read more of her
books.
- The students can do literature
studies on books related to the desert or rocks.
- The class could take an
environmental approach and research ways to preserve the
desert.
