Animals of the Rainforest

A WebQuest for 3rd Grade
 


Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | References


Introduction

Welcome to the Rainforest. You have been hired as a Rainforest Animal Expert. There are many people who want to get rid of the beautiful rainforest to make money from the land. Over half of all plant and animal species live in the rainforest. Save the Rainforest Project needs your help to tell these companies about so many of these wonderful creatures and why the rainforest is important to these animals. Your job over the next month will be to research and develop a written report, visual project, and be prepared for an oral presentation about an animal that lives in the rainforest. You will need to explain why your animal needs the rainforest to survive.

After choosing the animal in class with your teacher, you will need to follow the steps provided to make your journey a success. You will use non-fiction books, CD-ROMS, and the internet to gain valuable information about your animal. The class will be starting in the library to research and take notes. There are many books available in our school library as well as in your classroom that you will be able to borrow. You will also use the internet for current facts and pictures of your animal for your written report.

Good Luck!

 


The Task

Now that you have chosen your Rainforest Animal, you are required to address several questions in your written report. The written report should include pictures or your own illustrations of your animal. You should write in complete sentences. The final report should be put together in an attractive way (mounting the pages, using a folder, etc.) If you include your information on your visual piece, you will still need to hand in another copy to your teacher. On ___________you will hand in a written report that covers these questions:

  • 1. What layer of the Rainforest does your animal live in?
  • 2. Does it come out during the day or at night?
  • 3. What does your animal like to eat?
  • 4. Which animals like to eat your animal? (Who are its enemies?)
  • 5. How does your animal protect itself?
  • 6. Describe how your animal looks.
  • 7. What makes your animal special? Write something you have learned about your animal that makes it unique.
  • 8. Describe how your animal is in danger from people.

    You can print out and take notes on this Fact Sheet.

    Each of you will need to have a visual aid to show the class during your presentation. This is where you can really get creative! You may should choose from the following for your visual aid.
     

    • an animal mask;
    • diorama of the animal and its habitat;
    • colorful poster;
    • paper mache animal;
    • make and wear an animal costume;
    • a painting;
    • make a video;
    • or another creative way to get your animal to come to life.
    • power point slide show (2nd. 5-8 slides, 3rd. 8-12 slides)
       

      After you have researched and written your report, you will be ready to tell your classmates about your animal. Rather than reading directly from your report, each of you will tell what you have learned and show your visual project. Make sure that you practice telling a family member or two what you learned about the wonderful animal you have spent time researching.


      The Process

       

      1.  First you will pick an animal to begin to research. You will need to keep track of all the information you gather in your computer folder.

      2.  Once you have the name of your animal, you will begin to look for information in different sources. You will need to keep track of where you found your information by writing the author, title, and copyright date for each source of information.

      3.  You will need to find information from at least one book source,  and a website. We will work in the Library Media Center for five class periods and will have class time too.

      4.  You will take notes on all the questions listed above and any other information on your animal that you think is interesting.

      5.  Once you have finished gathering information, you will need to write a rough draft, have it peer edited and then your teacher will edit it for your final copy.

      6.  Your teacher will go over the edited copy with you, then you will work on the final draft. This can be hand written or typed on the computer.

      7.  You will have time to work on your visual project of your choice during Computer Lab times and Social Studies/Science afternoon blocks

      8.  Practice your oral presentation with your family. You may use index cards to help you. You may also use computer lab time to work on your computer project.

      9.  Written report and visual project due________.

      10.  Each of you will be doing your oral presentation the following week at SSR time.

      Research
      Here are some Internet sites with information on your Animal:

      Zoom School...Rainforest --Shows you some information on several rainforest animals. Includes pages to print off of rainforest animals.

      Very Cool Bugs -- Describes many kinds of insects, spiders, and butterflies.

      Kids' Action: Rainforest Animals-- A page with a few animals and reasons for protecting the rainforest.

      ZOOM SCHOOL-- Lists a large number of animals and how they grow.

      Rainforest Live KidZone--Many animals are mentioned with some facts. You can search their page for pictures and facts.

      Rainforest Explorer--Good selection of animals with facts.

      Seaworld..Animal Bytes -- Lots of good animal links!

      The Wild Ones Index -- Lots of different animals lised! Including bats, tamarins, leafcutter ants, lemurs, macaws, and jaguars.

      Kids Explorer: Sounds of the Rainforest--Good selection of animal sounds if you want to add them to your PowerPoint project.

      Animals of the Rainforest Photos Page --A wonderful place to find pictures of your animal.


      Evaluation

       

      You will be given an individual report card based on the rubric below that will tell how well you completed your task.

      Not Yet

      1

      		 Developing

      2

      		 Accomplished

      3

      		 Exemplary

      4

      		 Score
       
      Completes and hands in both a written report and visual assignment

       
      Students never hands in a project or report
      Student is late with both assignments
      Student hands in only one, not both
      Student hands in both assignments on the date they are due

       
       
      Hands in written report that is well-presented with a cover and has drawings or pictures

       

       
      Has no cover or illustrations and the written report is not readable
      Has no cover or illustrations and the report is messy
      Has no cover or limited illustrations
      Has cover and well illustrated, neatly written or typed report

       
       
      Presents an informative oral presentation to the class

       

       
      Student does not present material from written report
      Student leaves out information from written report
      Student covers all information from written report
      Student covers all material from written report and adds many more details.

       
       
      Spends time and creates and age-appropriate project on assigned animal

       
      Project is not related to the rainforest.
      Project is incomplete.
      Project is finished.
      Project is creative and age-appropriate.

       
       
      Behavior for Project

       
      Student has to be removed from classroom during any portion of the project.

       
       

      Student does not follow teacher directions and is spoken to 3 or more times.

       
      Student remains relativley quiet and is spoken to by the teacher 1-2 times.

       
      Student listens and follows directions without teacher interaction.

       

       

      Conclusion

       

      Once the month long project is completed, the students will have learned not only about their own Rainforest animal and also about many more animals that live in the rainforest. They will hopefully have a better appreciation for why Rainforests need to be saved and not destroyed since so many creatures rely on this tropical ecosystem.

      KIDS! Have a little more fun on these sites and find out what you can do to help protect the rainforest.  

      Kids' Action

      Toucan Sam's Rainforest Page

      Rainforest Workshop

      Rainforest Animal Quiz

      Fun and Games in the Rainforest


      References

       

      If you would like to read more about Rainforests, please check out these books:

       

      • One Day in the Tropical Rainforest by Jean Craighead George
      • Tropical Rainforests by Jean Hamilton
      • A Walk in the Rainforest by Kristin Joy Pratt
      • The Most Beautiful Roof in the World Exploring the Rainforest Canopy by Kathryn Lasky
      • Rain Forest by Helen Cowcher
      • Life in the Rainforests by Lucy Baker
      • or ask your librarian to help you!
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