climate webquest
TRANSCRIPT
Introduction
Third Graders! Spring break is right around the corner. Of course, places such
as Florida are popular spring break vacation destinations. But the Committee
of International Travel needs your help in promoting a new location for their all
new Alternative Spring Break program!!! The search has been narrowed down
to: Antarctica, the Costa Rican rainforest, and the Sahara desert. As you may
know, Antarctica has a polar climate, Costa Rica has a tropical climate, and
the Sahara has a desert climate.
Here’s where you come in. You have been selected to be on the committee that
will determine the final destination for the trip. After carefully researching
each destination, you will submit a final vote on which place you think would
encourage the most tourists to visit, and why. As a class, we will tally each
person's vote, and then determine a winner. Which place will you vote for???
Task
Students will look up information on each destination, including climate, life, average temperature, precipitation, interesting facts, images, traveling hours, etc. by using the web links provided.
Students will complete a Pros/Cons chart for each destination.
Students will select one destination to vote for, giving three reasons why they have selected the destination of their choice on the “Final Opinion” worksheet.
Students will place a check next to one of the three destinations, and give completed Official Ballot to teacher.
Each student’s vote will be tallied, and the winning destination will be posted in class. A discussion will be held following results.
Process
Search through the following websites provided
in the next slide, completing the “All About
(Destination)” Worksheet for each destination.
Note: The “All About (Destination)” Worksheet
can be found on the following slide. Print one
copy for each destination, making sure to fully
complete the worksheets.
Process
Antarctica Resources
http://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/antarctica%20environment/climate_graph/climate_weather.htm
http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/reports/climate/Antarctica.htm
http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/an.htm
http://astro.uchicago.edu/cara/vtour/
http://photolibrary.usap.gov
Costa Rican Rainforest
Resourceshttp://www.rainforest.co.cr
http://travel.cnn.com/costa-rica-tour-064066
http://www.govisitcostarica.com/travelInfo/rainforests.asp
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/costa-rica-photos/
http://www.serendipityadventures.com/aboutCostaRica/weatherAndClimate.htm
Sahara Desert
Resourceshttp://www.livescience.com/23140-sahara-desert.html
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/africa/explore/sahara/sahara_overview.html
http://geology.com/records/sahara-desert-map.shtml
http://www.desertusa.com/du_sahara.html
http://www.ezakwantu.com/Gallery%20Sahara%20Desert.htm
Additional Resources
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/climate.htm
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/weatherandclimatechange/climate/worldclimates/introduction.asp
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-climate.htm
HINT: Here are some additional links with more general information about
climate and climates around the world.
These links will
give you all the info
you need about the
Sahara Desert!
All About Each Destination
Name of destination: _______________________________________________
Climate: ____________________________________________________________
Types of animals/plants found here: _________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________
Average Precipitation: ______________________________________________
Average temperature: _______________________________________________
Interesting fact: _____________________________________________________
How long would it take to get there?: _________________________________
Process
Now that you have gathered information about
each destination, you will now fill out the “Pros
vs. Cons” Chart.
The “Pros vs. Cons” Chart can be found on the
following slide. Print out one chart for each of
the three destinations, and fill out the chart
completely. Please use complete sentences
when answering.
“Pros vs. Cons” Chart
PROS TO VISITING
1. _______________________
_______________________
2. _______________________
_______________________
3. _______________________
_______________________
CONS TO VISITING
1. _______________________
_______________________
2. _______________________
_______________________
3. _______________________
_______________________
Name of destination: _______________________________________
Process
Now that you have background information and
pros and cons of each destination, it is time to
make your final decision. Select one of the three
destinations that you think would be the best fit
for the ASB program.
Fill out the “Final Opinion!” worksheet, located
on the following slide. Make sure to follow all
directions provided on the worksheet.
Final Opinion!
Now that you have researched each destination,
please select one destination you feel would be the
best location for the ASB trip. Give at least three
(3) reasons why you have picked this destination.
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
Process
YOU’RE ALMOST DONE!
You have thoroughly researched three amazing destinations, provided pros and cons, and have made an informed decision. All that’s left to do is to vote!
Complete one (1) “Official Ballot”, located on the following slide. You will need to print a hard copy of the ballot.
Official Ballot
Thank you for participating in this Webquest!
Please print and fill out an “Official Ballot”. You do not need to include your name on the ballot. Hand in your completed ballot to Ms. Milo before you leave school for the day. The winning destination will be revealed tomorrow in class, followed by a short discussed of what you have learned from this assignment.
Note: Although your name is not on the ballot, I will record when you hand in your vote – handing this in on time is part of your grade.
I would like to see Antarctica as this year’s
ASB destination.
I would like to see the Costa Rican Rainforest as
this year’s ASB destination.
I would like to see the Sahara desert as this
year’s ASB destination.
Official Ballot
Example of a completeballot:
• ONE (1) option is CLEARLY and NEATLY checked off
• The ballot DOES NOTinclude your name
• Your vote is ANONYMOUS (which means discussion on which option you have selected is NOTnecessary with your friends)
• BE SURE TO HAND IN ON TIME
✔ I would like to see Antarctica as this year’s
ASB destination.
I would like to see the Costa Rican Rainforest as
this year’s ASB destination.
I would like to see the Sahara desert as this
year’s ASB destination.
Evaluation RubricCategory 4 3 2 1
Research Student accurately
used 10 or more
resources.
Student accurately
used at least 7-10
resources.
Student used 3-5
resources provided.
Student did not use
resources provided.
All About…
Worksheet
Student accurately
filled out all 7
questions in complete
sentences.
Student accurately
filled out 5-6
questions using
complete sentences
Student filled out 3-4
questions and did not
use complete
sentences.
Student filled out 2 or
less questions, and
did not use complete
sentences.
Pros vs. Cons
Chart
3 accurate pros and 3
accurate cons are
given for each
destination.
3 pros and 3 cons are
given for each
destination, with 2-3
errors made.
At least 2 pros and 2
cons are given for
each destination, with
3-4 errors made.
Pros and cons charts
are not accurately
filled out for each
destination.
Final Opinion Students use
complete sentences
and have provided 3
detailed reasons.
Students use
complete sentences
and have provided 3
reasons.
Students use
complete sentences
and have provided 2
reasons.
Students provide less
than 2 reasons or do
not use complete
sentences.
Official Ballot Students have printed
ballot and handed it in
before leaving class.
Students have printed
ballot and handed it in
the following school
day.
Students failed to
print out ballot, giving
vote on a piece of
paper.
Students did not turn
in a ballot or vote.
Participation Students stayed on
task, completed all
handouts, and turned
in ballot on time.
Students completed
all tasks and turned in
ballot by the following
class period.
Students are missing
1-2 tasks, and have
turned in ballot more
than 1 day late.
Students failed to
complete tasks and
did not cast a vote.
Conclusion
Questions for class discussion/Reflection:
The results are in. What was the winning destination? Are you surprised?
What did you like about this assignment? Dislike? Suggestions?
What is climate? What did you learn about climate? Your preference?
What is something that you already knew before this Webquest? What is something interesting that you found in your research?
What other climates or destinations would you like to learn more about?
Any further questions? Questions/comments?