Animal Explorers: 
A Safari in Search of New and Unusual Zoo Creatures

 
INTRODUCTION

 
The Henry Doorly Zoo is seeking new and unusual animals to place in the Desert Dome, the Aquarium and the Leid Jungle. They need volunteers to find (create)  animal creatures that will be able to survive in the chosen habitat.
Curriculum Frameworks Objectives: Science
Life:   Animal and Plant Habitat
    Understand that distinct environments support the life of different types of organisms
    Compare and contrast plants and animals in different environments (woods, forests, jungles, deserts, ponds, rivers,     lakes, and oceans)
    Apply concepts of food web and food chain
    Compare the roles of producer and consumer
    Identify predator and prey
    Recognize all levels of organisms adapt to their environment in order to survive
    Explain how failure to adapt relates to endangered/extinct species
    Identify and explain foods and useful products from plants and animals
    Demonstrate responsible behaviors in caring for the environment

Students will demonstrate their knowledge of the characteristics of a particular habitat and the adaptations of organisms that survive in this habitat by creating a new organism that could live in the habitat

 
 
TASK
The Henry Doorly Zoo is asking you as animal explorers to visit a chosen habitat of the world. Your team will find information on several animals of your habitat and the adaptations they make in order to live in your habitat. With this information you will design a new and unusual animal. You will try to convince the Zoologist at the zoo that your animal can survive in the habitat. You will need to include a description of your animal including  the adaptations it uses to survive. You will draw a picture of your animal featuring its adaptations.

 
THE PROCESS
1. Find your habitat below. 

2.  Search the websites and other resources to find information about two animals and their adaptation to the habitat

3.  Find information to answer the questions about your animal. 

4. Record the information on your  Data Collection Sheet.   Be sure to answer all questions. 

5. Meet as a team and decide what your new creature will look like and what adaptations it will have in order to survive.

6. Write a description of your animal. Draw a picture of your animal.

7. Present your findings to the class in a PowerPoint Presentation.

 
RESOURCES


 

DESERT
Mammals CD ROM

EyeWitness Encyclopedia of Nature

http://www.AllAboutNature.com/biomes/desert/desert.shtml

http://mbgnet.mobot.org/sets/desert/

http://www.livingdesert.org/animalst.htm

http://www.desertusa.com/survive.html
 

RAIN FOREST
Mammals CD ROM
Destination Rain Forest CD ROM
EyeWitness Encyclopedia of Nature

http://www.AllAboutNature.com/subjects/rainforest/animals/Rfbiomeanimals.shtml
 


OCEAN
Mammals CD ROM
Destination Ocean CD ROM
EyeWitness Encyclopedia of Nature

http://www.AllAboutNature.com/coloring/oceanlife.shtml

http://www.field-trips.org/tours/sci/oceank/_tourlaunch1.htm
 
 
 
EVALUATION

 

Students will be evaluated on the quality of the information used to design their animal and their presentation of information. They will also be evaluated on their collaboration skills. Rubrics will be designed. Students will demonstrate their knowledge of the characteristics of a particular habitat and the adaptations of organisms that survive in this habitat by creating a new organism that could live in the habitat.

 
 
CONCLUSION

 
This webquest focuses on objectives found in the Council Bluffs Community Schools curriculum frameworks. These objectives are recommended to be mastered by the end of 2nd grade.
 

This lesson is important, also, because it teaches students about the environments around them. In learning about animals' habitats, it is hopeful that students will learn to respect these habitats. Students must recognize that our behavior affects the lives of other living things around us.

It is also important that students learn that organisms have parts that enable them to live in certain regions of the Earth.

Walnut Grove School
 Council Bluffs Community Schools
2920 Avenue J
Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501
Last updated 05/01/03
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