Introduction
This WebQuest is intended to be a culminating task for students who have completed a unit on animal classification. It facilitates further learning through research and allows students to demonstrate their knowledge as “classification experts.” With partners or small groups, students will organize and present the information that they have gathered by creating a glog through Glogster.com.
Curriculum Standard
S5L1 Students will classify organisms into groups and relate how they determined the groups with how and why scientists use classification.
- Demonstrate how animals are sorted into groups (vertebrate and invertebrate) and how vertebrates are sorted into groups (fish, amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal).
Aim
The “Alien’s Guide to Classification” curriculum web enables fifth grade students to further develop their knowledge of animal classification, as well as build self confidence as they present this information as “experts” on the subject.
Rationale
The “Alien’s Guide to Classification” curriculum web is aligned with the fifth grade science Georgia Performance Standards. If students are to be successful in science in future years, it is imperative that they receive a sound foundation in science at the elementary level. In order to positively influence student motivation, engagement, and ultimately achievement, science activities should be worthwhile, meaningful, and enjoyable. Technology provides many tools for achieving this goal. Tasks such as this WebQuest that employ technology as an integral part of the learning process enable students to develop skills that are necessary for success in the 21st century.
General Educational Goals
This curriculum web was created by a fifth grade teacher to support student learning in science. As science instruction rarely receives adequate time and emphasis in elementary schools, it was deemed necessary to create a task that integrates several skills and subject areas while also allowing students to work in small groups and at their own pace. Students will demonstrate their learning, gain useful technology skills, and develop self-confidence through their creation and presentation of a glog using Glogster.com.
Subject Matter Description
The focus of this curriculum web is a combination of important aspects of the subject matter and the learners. As a part of a Life Science unit, it addresses a fifth grade science Georgia Performance Standard and helps evaluate the level at which students are able to demonstrate their learning. Students are not only expected to present the information that they have learned, but to select an appropriate method of communicating the content to others. Additionally, since the emphasis is upon what students are capable of doing, they will gain a sense of pride, accomplishment, and self-confidence.
Learner Description
Students who participate in this WebQuest are fifth grade science students between the ages of 10 and 12. All students will have completed a Life Science unit in which they learned about the classification of living things. Other specifics about this population of learners are varied. Students who will be involved in this activity represent a variety of learning styles and needs. The flexibility of this curriculum web makes it applicable to all of these students. Requirements and expectations may be adjusted easily as needed.
Prerequisites
As this curriculum web is intended to serve as a culminating activity at the end of the Life Science unit, it is assumed that students will have a basic knowledge of the classification of living things. It is possible that some high achieving students may be able to complete the activity with no prior knowledge if close attention is paid to the information that is contained in the referenced websites.
- Evaluate classification methods used by scientists
- Gather data from websites about the classification of animals
- Organize and present this data so that learning is evident to others
- Create a glog that is organized and visually attractive
- Present glog to other students as an “expert”
- Computer with Internet access
- Method of presentation (projector and Interactive White Board are optimal)
- Websites; Study Island, BrainPop, United Streaming, Glogster
Instructional Plan
This curriculum web should be implemented with small groups of 2-4 students who are grouped heterogeneously. Although it is optimal for students to work with only one partner so that technology usage is maximized, it may not be logical due to the availability of computers and time constraints. Depending upon the specific demographics of the learners, the curriculum web can easily be differentiated to suit different learning needs. Higher achieving students may be required to find more examples and more detailed information in each category. They also may be encouraged to include video or audio aspects to their glogs. Lower achieving students may receive an abbreviated list of websites to explore, and may choose their examples from a list provided by the teacher. The WebQuest is designed to allow learners to participate and complete the activity on their own without the direct instruction and assistance of a teacher. In essence, students will access the WebQuest and follow the instructions that are provided in it. Throughout the activity, the teacher will be available to assist students as needed by clarifying instructions, posing questions to encourage critical thinking, and providing troubleshooting suggestions.
Additional Resources
- 5th grade science textbook
- classification leveled readers
- pictures of various animals (clipart, cut from magazines, from Internet, etc.)
- trade books about various animals
Methods – Whole Class
- Compare and contrast different types of animals (pictures, student descriptions and experiences, etc.); estimated time – 1 class period
- View videos about classification on brainpop.com and unitedstreaming.com; estimated time – 1 class period
- Create graphic organizer about classification methods and groups of animal classification (invertebrates, vertebrates, mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians); estimated time – 1 class period
- Allow students to explore curriculum web site (watch videos, take quizzes, discuss with partners) - 1 class period
- Quizzes/Unit test; estimated time – 1 class period
- Discuss creative commons and copyright issues related to pictures and other Internet content
Remediation; 1-2 class periods
- Complete classification activities on studyisland.com
- Leveled readers about classification
- Classify pictures of animals provided by teacher (using graphic organizer for reference)
Acceleration/Enrichment; 3-4 class periods
- Complete WebQuest "Alien's Guide to Classification"
- Research animals that do not follow the typical classification protocol (ex: platypus, bat, etc.) and share findings with a classmate
Assessment Plan
Students will be assessed according to the rubric that is included in the WebQuest. Upon completion of the activity, students will present their completed glogs to the other students. The teacher will score the glogs during the student presentations.
Evaluation Plan
Prior to implementing this curriculum web on a wide scale, it will be implemented in a single fifth grade classroom so that any imperfections and complications may be addressed. Other fifth grade teachers will be asked to evaluate the curriculum web for accurate content and alignment to the Georgia Performance Standards. Teachers will also be asked to assess the curriculum web based upon its design, user-friendliness, potential problems, and implications for student learning.
Contact Information
Joy Renfro, M.Ed.
5th Grade Math and Science Teacher
Calhoun Elementary School
renfroj@calhounschools.org
Bibliography
Cunningham, C. A., & Billingsley, M. (2006). Curriculum Webs: Weaving the Web into Teaching and
Learning. Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.
Georgia Performance Standards: Georgia Department of Education
Tyrone, H. (2009). HSP Georgia Science. Orlando: Harcourt School Publishers.