Vertebrates
WebQuest
Mrs. Gunuskey Lakeside 5th Grade
 
Introduction
Task
Procedure
Resources
Evaluation
Conclusion
 
Introduction
The National Geovertebrate Magazine has been trying to create a book about vertebrates for students but has been unsuccessful. The magazine somehow found out that your class is studying vertebrates and has asked your class to write a book.
 
Animals are divided into 2 major categories, vertebrates and invertebrates. Vertebrates are animals with backbones. There are five classifications of vertebrates.  They are amphibians, birds, fish, mammals, and reptiles.
 
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   Task
 
Provided your class excepts National Geovertebrate Magazine's offer to write for their corporation, your task will be to create a vertebrate book which includes animals from each of the 5 classifications. There are many animals to choose from! What animals will you include?
 
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 Procedure
Step 1 Your teacher will divide you into 5 groups.
 
Step 2 Each group will be given one of the 5 classifications.
 
Step 3 Read over the data sheet  provided which will help you organize your research.
 
Step 4 Choose an animal from within your classification (example: reptile: bull snake, mammal: blue whale) that is different from the others in your group.
 
Step 5 Use the resource links below and your data sheet to reseach your animal.
 
Step 6 When your data sheets are complete, come together with your classification group and complete the Classification Summary Sheet.
 
Step 7 Together with your group, write a introduction paragraph that will be used to introduce your chapter. It should specifically identify the characteristics of your classification.
 
Step 8 Individually, use your completed data sheets to create your book page in any word processing application.
 
Book Page must include...
        •       A title
        •       Illustration or photo
        •       Facts from data sheet
        •       A paragraph with the topic sentence "The fill in your animal's name is a its classification."
 
Step 9 Meet in your classification group and organize your classification chapter.
 
Step 10 As a class organize your classification chapters and publish your book.
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 Resources
 
General Sites
        •       
www.ajkids.com
(ask Jeeves about specific classifications)
        •       
Vertebrate Animal Hotlist
 
Amphibians
        •       
Enchanted Learning - Amphibians
        •       
Amphibian Characteristics
 
Fish
        •       
Fish Questions and Answers
 
Mammals
        •       
Enchantedlearning - Mammals
        •       
What is a Mammal?
        •       
Mammal Characteristics
 
Reptiles
        •       
Enchantedlearning - Reptiles
 
Birds
        •       
Enchantedlearning - Birds/
        •       
Bird Characteristics
 
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Evaluation
 
Download the rubric provided. Read the rubric to understand the expectations your teacher has for you. It is very important that you do your best and complete all of the tasks.
 
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Conclusion
 
You have spent a lot of time researching your animal and writing your book. You now have a greater knowledge about the classification you wrote about. Now read the rest of your book. How do the other classifications compare to yours?
 
Share your book with the rest of your school. Ask your librarian if he or she will place a card on your book for checkout.
 
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