Oceanography

Sea Creature

WebQuest for 5th Grade

Introduction:

Congratulations oceanographer! You have been selected by the Oceanography Institute to participate in an in-depth research study of the world’s sea creatures. You will be working with a team of fifth grade scientists as you embark on a fascinating, educational journey into the depths of the world’s mysterious oceans. As a part of the project team, you will be creating an informative brochure, short documentary movie and a three-dimensional model of your creature. As a culmination of your studies, you will be sharing your discoveries with other marine researchers at an oceanography forum!

The Task:

As a member of the Oceanography Society, you will be teamed with another fifth grader. You will each be responsible for specific topics that will help you reach your goals. You will develop a proposal with your partner detailing each person’s specific responsibilities. After your proposal is complete, you will submit it to the Oceanography Research Leader (your teacher) for final review and approval. Once your proposal is approved, you may begin your project.

Click here to view a list of suggested oceanography creatures that you may choose from.

The following are some questions/topics you must research and address in your project and presentation:

 

• Physical Description - What does your sea creature look like? Be very specific. Make sure to include size, weight, color(s) and special features.

• Diagram - Draw a color diagram of your sea creature. Make sure to make the diagram either actual size (if possible) or to scale. Include important distinguishing features and label all important attributes.

• Habitat – Where is your sea creature commonly found? You may choose to include a world ocean map showing specific locations that your creature is known to inhabit. Also, include information about the climate in that area of the sea and any other special information (for example: lives in shallow waters close to the shoreline.)

• Diet and Mating Patterns - What are the diet and mating habits of your sea creature? What does your sea creature consume to survive? Does it have any special/unusual adaptations to help it attract/eat its prey? What are the mating habits of your creature? How does it reproduce? Does it stay with offspring or leave the offspring to be raised on its own?

• Predators – What are the natural enemies/predators of your sea creature? How does it defend itself from its predators? Where is your sea creature in the oceanography food chain?

• Adaptations – What special feature and adaptations does your sea creature have to help it survive in its environment?

• How does your sea creature use its adaptations to avoid predators and/or capture prey?

The Process:

You will be working with your research partner to prepare and present your research study to the class. As a team, you will be responsible for preparing specific materials for your presentation to your fellow fifth grade oceanographers.

The materials include:

1. A full color glossy brochure about your sea creature. You will create your brochure using Microsoft Publisher.

2. A poster size full color diagram of your sea creature. Your diagram should be actual size if possible. If your creature is too large to display full size, please make sure it is drawn to scale. Label all important features and adaptations of your sea creature.

3. 10 research cards organized by sub-topic. These cards should include all the research notes you created as you studied your sea creature.

4. A short documentary that includes important information about your sea creature. This documentary should include video clips or still photos of your sea creature in its natural habitat. This video will be created using Movie Maker.

Your documentary should highlight:

a. Physical Features
b. Habitat
c. Predators/Prey
d. Diet
e. Adaptations

5. Three-Dimensional Model of your Creature
Your model must be hand-made from materials from class. You may choose from a variety of art supplies such as: construction paper, foam board, clay, string, paint, wire, beads, fabric to completer your mode.

Resources:

Required Reading:

1. Wright, Stephen. Seas and Oceans. New York: Scholastic Inc., 2006. (To be supplied in class.)

2. One nonfiction book on your specific sea creature that you can select from the school library, local library or from a book store. You will be responsible for finding this book and bringing it to class to use for research.

Internet Sites:

http://www.kidsolr.com/science/page15.html

http://www.kidskonnect.com/Oceanography/Oceanography.html

http://www.kathimitchell.com/ocean.htm

http://www.kidport.com/RefLib/Science/SeaAnimals/SeaLife.htm

http://www.surfnetkids.com/ocean.htm

http://school.discovery.com/schooladventures/planetocean/

Evaluation:

Your project will be evaluated using a scoring rubric. This rubric will award points for all parts of the project. Additionally, groups can earn additional points by completing extra credit. All extra credit ideas must be approved by the classroom teacher before a group can work on them. Extra credit can only be done, once the group has completed all the required parts of the project.

Click here to view the scoring rubric.

Conclusion:

Congratulations!!! You have successfully completed your oceanography creature study. Your research will be evaluated based on the scoring rubric. If your research grant is approved, you will be selected to lead the International Oceanography Expedition Team and continue to be on the forefront of Oceanography study. As the Team Leader, you will help to preserve and protect the creatures that inhabit our seas for generations to come! Additionally, you will travel the world’s oceans on your own private yacht.

The International Oceanography Institute thanks you for your hard work and your exceptional dedication to our world’s oceans!