my webquest
DESCRIPTION
The Webquest I have created incorporates technology and common software into a nature journal project. In this Webquest, students are asked to create a journal template and cover page using either Microsoft Word or Publisher. This template is then printed and ten two sided copies are made. It is on this template that the student will write detailed, reflective, nature journal entries that relate to topics in science. Five of these entries will be done in the "real world" and five of them will be inresponse to national geographic videos or virtual birder "birding breaks". this will allow stduents the opportunity to refelct on species and habitats in their own community and those in different places in the World. Once the entries are complete, the student will use Excel to create a table of contents that will accompany their journal. Finally, the student will create one slide in PowerPoint to accompany each of their journal entries. This slide can include digital photos they themselves took, or images found on the internet.TRANSCRIPT
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A WebQuest for 9th – 12th Grade Ecology/ 9th Grade Biology
Designed by: Mrs. [email protected]
Based on a template from The WebQuest Page
Global Nature Journal
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Earth is full of beauty and awe. In a fast pace age full of rapid-fire technology and information overload, it is important to take time out to contemplate and appreciate the simple wonderments that exists everywhere. Nature journals are not so much a record of personal information, but rather a record of your responses and reflections about the world around you. Nature journals can be therapeutic, as nature reflection often brings calm to the soul. They can also be used as scientific record when observing phenomena or species in the field. Nature journals serve as a telling source about the author. Nature journals by Aldo Leopold and Henry David Thoreau not only told us a lot about the environment during their time, but also told us a great deal about who they were. Nature journals include personal reflection, scientific record, detailed descriptions of observations, sketches, diagrams, poems etc… Simple observations in the field can often lead to questions, hypotheses, and experimentation.This WebQuest brings technology to the the traditional nature journal.
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The Task
• Before you begin visit the “blog” of Henry David Thoreau, read some of his entries to gain a better understanding of what a nature journal entails. • Use Microsoft Word or Microsoft Publisher to create a template for your journal entries and make 10 copies (see sample here).• Microsoft Word or Publisher will also be used to create a journal cover page.• You will write 10 journal entries that reflect on nature, ask questions, provide detailed observations, and make connections to topics in science (see sample here).• You will use Microsoft Excel to create a table of contents to go along with your journal.• You will use Microsoft Power Point to create a photo montage that accompanies your journal.
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1. You will complete this project individually2. Use Microsoft Word or Publisher to create a journal cover page and template for your
journal entries. Be creative and include lines to write on, see sample. Make 10, 2-sided copies of your template. This is your journal and we will bind it in class.
3. You will need to pick 5 different places to write 5 first-person journal entries in real life.4. For each of these entries, find a place to sit, and stay their quietly for 30+ minutes. Observe and write about what is around you. You must write while you are in the field not
at a later time! 5. You must include date, time and location, detailed observation, reflection, creativity,
critical thought, connection to science, a question & species descriptions in every entry.6. Each journal entry can include formats of your choosing; descriptive writing, drawing,
poem…..creativity is encouraged. 7. You will need to visit the online resources provided. You must write about 3-4 videos from
the national geographic page and at least one of the birding breaks on virtual birder, for a total of five e-entries.
8. For each video or birding break, touch on the same aspects you did for your “real world” entries. Many of these sites have audio (you will need to use headphones) so, what do you hear, what do you see, what is different about this place as compared to your local natural areas and wildlife, what have you learned? Write these entries as if you are actually in this place.
9. Once finished with your journal, create a slide on Power Point to accompany each journal entry (10 total). You may include photos that you took yourself or that you found online (cite all sources). The pictures need to relate to your entry. Include some of the species you saw or learned about.
10. Use Microsoft Excel to create a table of contents that will accompany your journal. Include page number and relate it to the location and date.
Final Product: 10 hand written journal entries, table of contents, Power Point slideshow to accompany journal entries.
The Process
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National GeographicGo to this site and search the available videos. You can select environment or animal realted videos by using the menu bar near the top of the page. Once you select a genre, more specific topics will appear in a menu to the left. You can select topics such as habitats or environmental threats, mammals, amphibians, reptiles etc.... Click on one of these topics and you are presented with even more specific topics like marine, desert, deforestation, cats, apes etc....Click on a specific topic or species and look to the right of the screen for availbale videos. Choose at least three videos from the national geographic webpage to write about.
VirtualbirderGo to this site and select any of the available ”birding breaks”. You must write about at least one birding break. Use the tools that allow you to look right, left, up and down. Describe in detail and try to identify some of the birds you see on your trip. What type of habitat are you in? What bird species do you see in the same area? Do you think competition exists among theses species? Explain why or why not.
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Evaluation
Click here to view the online rubric for this assignment.
This project will be graded on your ability to
• Make observations
• Provide thoughtful reflection
• Make connections to science
• Be creative
• Ask Questions
• Be organized and neat
• Describe species in detail
• Use technology to complete all components of this project
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• Taking time out to observe nature and reflect on its intricacies and importance helps us understand our place in this world. Observing nature reinforces topics we have discussed in class such as biodiversity, ecosystems, food webs and environmental connectedness. • How did you feel while sitting outside and journaling? • Did you enjoy learning about the different wildlife and ecosystems that exists in other parts of the World? • Are you impressed with the diversity that exists among living things?• I encourage you to continue to take time out to reflect on nature. Choose a favorite spot and visit it regularly, write about the changes you see over time. You may be surprised at the changes you see in a favorite park or natural area from now until you graduate high school or college.• National Geographic has a plethora of resources available for learning about environmental issues, natural diversity and our place in the World. I encourage you to visit and explore this page in order to continue to learn about your environment, developments in technology and global issues.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/
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[Teacher Page] Credits & References• Title Page Image: Jasper National Park - 2004-06-19
• Global Nature Journal Project based on Smithsonian’s In your classroom activity: Introduction to the Nature Journal.
• Sample journal entry image taken from Smithsonian’s In your classroom activity: Introduction to the Nature Journal
• Thank you National Geographic for providing educators with so many great resources!
• Thank you Virtual Birder for offering A free, fun, and easy to use web page that allows for the exploration of North America’s bird species!
• To acquire the latest version of this web quest template and training materials please visitThe WebQuest Page and The WebQuest Slideshare Group.
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A WebQuest for 9th-12th Grade (Biology/Ecology)
Designed By:
Colleen [email protected]
Based on a template from The WebQuest Page
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Global Nature Journal
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This project was developed for integration into high school Ecology and Biology courses throughout My Imaginary School District.
This project strives to get students outside and encourages them to observe the natural world around them. In addition to time spent outdoors, this project also encourages students to use the technology available to them to explore natural places in other parts of the World, create templates, organize information, and compliment written work . This project focuses on the development of intrapersonal, literacy, and technology skills. Through creative writing and drawing and use of PowerPoint, students will communicate their thoughts, ideas and observations and make personal connections to science.
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This project is designed for students in grades 9-12 who are enrolled in a biology, ecology, environmental or wildlife course. This project could also focus more on writing techniques and be used in a high school English classroom. This project can easily be modified to focus on technology skills and be used in an introductory technologies class. A focus on drawing, painting or photographing plant and animal species could make this project extendable to art classes as well.
Prior to this project students should be familiar with the concept of ecosystems, biological diversity, species, species interactions, and how to make observations in the field. This project is designed to get students to reflect about these scientific concepts on a more personal level and to better understand their connection within the system. Students should also be competent in using the internet to search for information, images and watch videos.
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Science Standards Addressed
• Standard 3: Life Science: Students know and understand the characteristics and structure of living things, the processes of life and how living things interact with each other and their environment.• Standard 5: Nature of Science: Students understand that the nature of science involves a particular way of building knowledge and making conclusions.
In addition, this project encourages: •Critical thinking•Creative thinking•Intrapersonal skills•Literacy Skills•Use of technology
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Curriculum Standards
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The Process1. Students will read and discuss in class a sample journal entry. - Importance of reflection, observation, asking questions, species descriptions,
relation to science.2. Students will read through and discuss Henry David Thoreau’s Blog to better
understand a nature journal.3. Students will be taken outside as a class and given an opportunity to practice
writing an entry.4. Students will complete this project individually.5. Students will use Microsoft Word or Publisher to create a journal entry template
(10 2-sided copies) and cover page. Journal can be bound in class.6. Students will choose 5 places to write 5 first-person journal entries that include
date, time, location, questions, detailed observation, reflection, creativity, critical thought, connection to science & species descriptions in every entry.
7. Students will visit national geographic and virtual birder to view online videos (3-4) and take birding breaks (1-2) and complete their “virtual” first-person nature journal entries. Students should write their entry as if they are actually in these places. Headphones and video player software are needed.
8. Students will use Excel to create a table of contents that includes; author’s name, journal title, page number, location and date of entry.
9. Students will use PowerPoint to create a photo montage. There will be a corresponding slide for each journal entry that includes photos and/or images.
Final Product: 10 journal entries written on the created template and bound together with a cover page and table of contents. This journal will be accompanied by their
photo montage PowerPoint presentation.
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• Microsoft Word or Publisher• Microsoft Excel• Microsoft PowerPoint• Internet access for each student - Nationalgeographic.com - Virtualbirder.com• Students must be able to view online videos• Students must have access to headphones• Field guides for the area they live in - Wildflowers - Trees - Mammals - Birds• Sample Journal Entry
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This project will assess the students ability to:
• Make observations
• Provide thoughtful reflection
• Make connections to what we learned in class
• Be creative
• Ask Questions
• Be organized and neat
• Describe species in detail
• Use technology to complete all components of the project.
Click here to view the online rubric for this assignment.
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This script should be used only with students who are unfamiliar with how to navigate the internet. Computer screen of the instructor should be projected
for all students to view.
• Today we are going to explore nature in different parts of the world using the internet.
• Everyone should see this screen, this is called your desktop.• On your desktop, there is an icon that is named Webquest.• Using your mouse, move the cursor on your screen so that it is over this.• Quickly click the left button on your mouse 2x.• A new screen should have appeared on your screen that looks like this.• You are now in Power Point and viewing the Webquest that we are about to
begin.• Use your mouse to click the slideshow tab at the top of this screen.• Now use your mouse to click the “from the beginning” tab in the menu bar. • You should now see this screen in front of you. • Lets read together through this activity.• Everyone please go the this slide of the Webquest and use your mouse to click
on the words National Geographic.• Teacher should read through the instructions from the online resources slide at
this point. • Put on your headphones and use the mouse to click the play button on the
video.• As you listen to and watch this video, take notes to include in your journal
entry.• Teacher should walk around the room and help students as needed.
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Teacher ScriptUsing the Internet
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Teacher ScriptMaking a Template w/ Word1. Today we are going to create a journal page template and cover page. Be sure to save your work
every few minutes.
2. Everyone should see this screen on their computer, this is your desktop. There is an icon on your desktop that looks like this, . Double click this Icon.
3. You should now see this page. This is a blank document within Microsoft Word.
4. You can insert text boxes by clicking here on your tool bar. You can draw in the text box where ever you like and type words inside. By highlighting the words in this box you can change the font by using the toolbar above. These boxes can be moved around the document where ever you like. You can change the order in which the text box will appear by right clicking on the box with your mouse, clicking on order and selecting the order option you would like.
5. Images can be inserted by left clicking on insert and then on picture. You can then chose to insert an image from an existing file (you would need to have the image saved) or from clip art (existing images within Word).
6. Another option is to use the internet to find an image you would like to use. Left click on this image and then click on copy. Go back to your word document and right click, select paste, your image should appear in your document.
7. To make lines on your paper, hold down the shift button and the _ button.
8. Cover about half the page with lines. Then highlight the area and go to the format menu. Click on paragraph, under the spacing section use the drop down menu to select double spacing. This should provide more room between lines, if you would like more room, adjust the spacing as desired.
9. Play around with these various components of Word and explore other options to create your journal page template and cover page.
10. Once you have completed your template, save it.
11. Go to the File Menu and click on print. Under properties select the option to print on both sides and then click O.K. then click print.
12. Check your print out for quality and errors, if happy with this copy turn it in to me and I will make additional copies for you. If you would like to make changes, do so and repeat step 16.
Microsoft Word.lnk
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Teacher ScriptMaking a template w/ Publisher
Use all scripts while going through the motions on your computer and projecting the computer screen for all students to view.
1. Today we are going to create a journal page template and cover page using Microsoft Publisher. Be sure to save your work every few minutes.
2. Everyone should see this screen on their computer, this is your desktop.
4. Everyone please click on the start menu at the bottom of the page, move your cursor to all programs and find Publisher in the menu, click on Publisher.
5. Under Publication types select letterhead. Look through the various letterhead templates and choose one that you like and click create.
6. Under the insert menu on top click on text box.7. Draw a text box on your document, this is where you will make your
lines to write on.8. Customize the other features on the document with your own
information. Press F9 if the text is too small to read.9. Once you have finished creating a template and cover page and
saved your document, go to the file menu and select print. 10. Under properties choose, print on both sides, then click O.K., then click print.
11. Check your document for quality, if you are happy with the document turn it in and I will make the remaining 9 copies.
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Teacher ScriptUsing Excel
Use all scripts while going through the motions on your own computer. Use a projector so that all students can view the computer screen image.
1. Today we are going to create a table of contents using Excel. Be sure to save your work every few minutes.2. Everyone should see this screen on their computer, this is your desktop. 3. On your desktop you should see an icon that looks like this, Double click this Icon.
4. You should now see a screen that looks like this, this is a blank spreadsheet within Excel.5. Each of the squares within this spreadsheet is a “cell”6. As the cells go across the page they are called “rows”, as the cells do down the page they are called columns.7. If you click on a cell you can type within the cell.8. Font style and size can be changed using the toll bar on the top of the screen.9. Play around with the cells and fonts to create a table of contents. Please include, your name as the author, the title of your journal and page numbers. For each page please relate it to location and date and journal entry title if you assigned one.
Microsoft Excel.lnk
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Taking time out to observe nature and reflect on its intricacies, connections, and importance helps students understand their place in this world. Observing nature reinforces topics in science such as biodiversity, ecosystems, food webs and environmental connectedness. By asking students to reflect, we are asking for their personal response to the world around them, which promotes intrapersonal skills.
By incorporating the internet in this activity, students learn to utilize this amazing resource in order to learn about the ecosystems, species, and environmental issues that exists in other parts of the World. Incorporating various software programs in this project helps students increase proficiency within these common programs and helps them understand how to communicate information using these programs.
This is a fun and innovative way for students to practice creative and critical thought in connection with science and inprove technology skills. I see a place for creativity in science and hope this project prompts students to see science and nature in a different light.
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• Title Page Image: Jasper National Park - 2004-06-19
• Global Nature Journal Project based on Smithsonian’s In your classroom activity: Introduction to the Nature Journal.
• Sample journal entry image taken from Smithsonian’s In your classroom activity: Introduction to the Nature Journal
• Thank you National Geographic for providing educators with so many great resources!
• Thank you Virtual Birder for offering A free, fun, easy to use web page that allows for the exploration of North America’s bird species!
• To acquire the latest version of this web quest template and training materials please visitThe WebQuest Page and The WebQuest Slideshare Group.
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Credits & References (Teacher)