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DESERT WEBQUEST

Introduction I Task I Process I Evaluation I Conclusion I

 

INTRODUCTION

This is a picture of a desert.

                                                  Baja, Mexico         photograph by Warren Wiegers

As a class we have been talking about deserts and their climate.  We have identified and located many deserts from around the world.  Deserts are very hot and dry places.  It is not easy to find water in a desert.  Have you ever wondered how so many plants and animals can survive in a desert?
 


 

TASK

Our class of grade - 2 scientists will travel to different deserts around the world to study the plants and animals that live there.  We will divide into groups of two for each research team.  After each team finishes their research, we will meet back home and share our amazing discoveries!

In your group of two, one of you will be the animal researcher and the other person will be the plant researcher.  You will work together as a team as you do your research.  You and your partner will put together two posters at the end of your research.  One poster will be about a desert animal and the other poster will be about a desert plant.  You and your partner will give a short presentation to the class about what you have learned.

Together as a class, we will discover how desert plants and animals interact as part of the food chain.

Get your airline ticket and fasten your seatbelt as you begin your journey!
 


 

PROCESS

1.  You will be assigned to a research team of two students to study one animal and one plant.  Check your assignment card for this information.
 

2.  In your research team decide on your roles.  The roles are:

  • animal researcher
  • plant researcher
3. ROLES

Animal Researcher:
When researching your animal you will:

  • operate the computer
  • find any books you may need
  • read aloud the information you find
**As the animal researcher reads aloud the information, both partners will make up jot notes and the plant researcher will copy them onto the data sheet.**
 

Plant Researcher:
When researching your plant you will:

  • operate the computer
  • find any books you may need
  • read aloud the information you find
**As the plant researcher reads aloud the information, both partners will make up the jot notes and the animal researcher will copy them onto the data sheet.**
 

4.  DATA SHEET
Click on each picture to see the data sheet.  Print each sheet.

ANIMAL DATA SHEET

PLANT DATA SHEET
 
 

5. DESERT ADAPTATIONS
Click on each picture below to discover different ways that animals and plants adapt to the desert climate.  Click on the back button for your browser when you are finished.  Use your data sheet to record your  research.

  Animals

   Plants
 

6.  ANIMAL RESEARCH
Find your animal in the chart below and click on it.  You will find resources to use as you gather information on the following topics:

  • Appearance
  • Food
  • Adaptations
  • Defenses
  • Habitat
**Record your answers on your data sheet.
**You will need to print a photograph of your animal from a website.  Follow the directions given.
**Click on the BACK button on your browser when you are finished gathering information from the website.
 

  ANIMALS
 

 
desert tortoise
gila monster
chuckwalla
rattlesnake
horned lizard
roadrunner
scorpion
tarantula
kangaroo rat

 

7. PLANT RESEARCH
Find your plant in the chart below and click on it.  You will find resources to use as you gather information on the following topics:

  • Appearance
  • Flower Color
  • Adaptations
  • Animal Use (You will need to find out which animals use your plant and what they use it for.)
**Record your answers on your data sheet.
**You will need to print a photograph of your plant from a website.  Follow the directions given.
**Click on the BACK button on your browser when you are finished gathering information from the website.
 

  PLANTS
 

 
Ocotillo Woody Shrub Mesquite Fishhook Barrel Cactus
Foothill Palo Verde Saguaro Cactus Creosote Bush

 

8.  POSTERS
Together you will make one poster for your animal and one for your plant.  Follow the directions below for each poster.

  ANIMAL POSTER

  • Print the name of your animal at the top.
  • Draw and color a picture of your animal in its desert habitat.  Paste it onto your poster.
  • Cut out the animal photograph printed from the website.  Paste it onto your poster.
  • On a piece of lined paper print sentences explaining:
                - the food your animal eats
                - how your animal adapts to the desert climate
                - how your animal defends itself against its enemies

Paste this paper onto your poster.
 

  PLANT POSTER

  • Print the name of your plant at the top.
  • Draw and color a picture of your plant.  Include its flowers.  Paste it onto your poster
  • Cut out the plant photograph printed from the website.  Paste it onto your poster.
  • On a piece of lined paper print one or two sentences explaining:
              - how your plant adapts to the desert climate
              - which animals use your plant and what they use your plant for

Paste this paper onto your poster.
 

9.  PRESENTATION
You and your partner will give a short presentation on your animal and plant.  Be sure to include the following information:

  • appearance of your animal and plant
  • what your animal eats
  • adaptations to desert climate by your animal and plant
  • desert habitat of your animal
  • how your animal defends itself against enemies
  • how animals use your plant
  • any other interesting information you learned
10.  As a class we will discuss the desert food chain.  Be able to explain how your animal and plant fit into the food chain.
 


 

EVALUATION
The criteria in this rubric will be used in your evaluation.

 
  Not Yet Meeting 
(1 points)		 Beginning to Meet 
(2 points)		 Meeting 
(3 points)		 Exceeding 
(4 points)
Poster: 
Overall Appearance		 Some components are present. Most components are present. Some care is taken regarding layout and neatness.  All components are present.  Work is neatly presented.  All components are present. Work is neatly presented and appropriately laid out on poster.
Poster: 
Drawn Picture		 Correct representation but inaccurate coloring is used.  Correct representation including color is used.  Correct representation and coloring is used.  Background information is appropriate.  Correct representation and coloring is used.  Background information is appropriate.  Work is neatly presented.
Poster: 
Sentences		 Some information is present. All information is present.  All information is present.  Proper sentence structure is used.  All information is present.  Proper sentence structure is used.  Correct punctuation and capitalization is evident.
Presentation Some information is presented. Most pertinent information is presented. All pertinent information is presented. All pertinent information is presented.  Interesting facts are also included.
Food Chain Contribution Some information is contributed but is inaccurate. Some accurate information is contributed. All accurate information is contributed. All accuate information is contributed and understanding of interconnectedness is evident.

CONCLUSION

You have completed your assignment and you have worked very hard! You have learned how various plants and animals fit into the desert food chain.  Maybe on your next journey you will visit a jungle, rainforest, or grasslands region!  Good luck on your next research assignment!