Introduction
Welcome, Animal Explorers!
What makes birds have feathers and fish have gills? Why do turtles have scales? The way animals look and behave makes them unique creatures. The scientist who studies animals to categorize them into different species is able to do so by analyzing their physical characteristics.
As an Animal Classification Expert in this WebQuest, you will work in a group of 3 to research different animals, look for the characteristics that make similar animals different from each other, and create a presentation for your classroom to present your discoveries.By the end of this
WebQuest, students will be able to
- Identify important physical characteristics and behaviors of animals.
- Describe similarities and differences between different animals.
- Determine how animals can be classified into several major groups using physical characteristics and behaviors of the various animals.
- Analyze online resources to categorize the animal within the appropriate animal groups.
- Create a group presentation explaining animal classification.
Task
Your Mission
You’re a Selected Team Member!
Your mission for this project is to find out about different animals and create a Canva presentation to inform the other students in the class on how animals are classified by scientists.
Each group will have four students in it.
Your group will research four different animals from different animal groups.
For each animal, your presentation should include:
- Name of the animal
- Picture of the animal
- Animal group
- Habitat
- Physical characteristics
- Important behaviors
- Whether it is a vertebrate or invertebrate
- At least one interesting fact
After learning about the four different animals that your group chose, the members of your group will compare the four different animals on a final slide. You will explain how the characteristics of each of the four different animals that your group chose helped you to classify the four different animals.
Your presentation should contain approximately 6–8 slides.
Each group presents their completed project to the class.
Process
Step 1: Meet Your Team
Students are assigned into 4 groups by teacher.
Each student will have an important job.
Group Roles
Animal Researcher
Gather key information about the animals including their habitats, their behavior, and physical characteristics.
Classification Expert
Determines which animal group each animal belongs to and explains why.
Technology Designer
Helps organize presentation on Canva and adds in appropriate pictures, headings and more!
Team Coordinator/Presenter
Keeps the group organized, verifies all required information has been incorporated and organizes group for presentation to class.
As outlined above, each student has a specified role. However, throughout the research process and the resulting presentation, the members of the group will have to collaborate.
Step 2: Explore Animal Groups
Before you choose your animals for the project, find out about the main groups of animals.
Mammals
Birds
Reptiles
Amphibians
Fish
Arthropods
Pay attention to characteristics such as:
Fur or hair
Feathers
Scales
Number of legs
Wings
Gills or lungs
Backbone or no backbone
Eggs or live birth
Step 3: Choose Your Animals
For example, if you choose a dolphin, then the other three members of your group should choose the bald eagle, the sea turtle and the frog.
For example:
Dolphin — Mammal
Bald Eagle — Bird
Sea Turtle — Reptile
Frog — Amphibian
Choose different kinds of animals with very distinct characteristics.
Step 4: Research
Use the teacher-approved websites to research your animals.
Research Resources
National Geographic Kids – Animals
Explore mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates.
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/
San Diego Zoo – Animals & Plants
Look for the individual animal you have chosen to learn about its characteristics, behavior, habitat, etc. in the following websites:
https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals
Florida CPALMS
Use this resource to learn about the Florida science standards connected to this activity.
https://www.cpalms.org/Public/
Remember to only use approved and reputable websites on the internet. Also, be sure to never share any personal information.
Step 5: Record Your Research
These documents will be used by each group in their shared Google Doc provided by the teacher for that group.
Create a section for each animal and record:
Animal name
Animal group
Physical characteristics
Habitat
Behaviors
Vertebrate or invertebrate
Eggs or live birth
Interesting fact
Website used
Each student must add information to the shared document.
Evaluation
This is how your project will be evaluated.
Animal Classification – 20 points
4 – Excellent: All four animals are correctly classified with clear evidence.
3 – Good: Most animals were correctly classified, although evidence to support the classification was not always presented.
2 – Developing: Some of the classifications are correct, but more development is needed to support explanations of the classifications chosen.
1 – Beginning: Classifications are mostly incorrect or missing.
Research and Information – 20 points
4 – Excellent: Complete and accurate information for all specified animals.
3 – Good: Most required information is complete and accurate.
2 – Developing: Some important information is missing.
1 – Beginning: Research is incomplete or contains several inaccuracies.
Compare and Analyze – 20 points
4 – Excellent: The student clearly outlined all of the similarities and differences between the animals that were studied in the research for this project and included proper evidence to support his/her work.
3 – Good: Explains some similarities and differences.
2 – Developing: Provides limited comparison between animals.
1 – Beginning: Comparison is missing or unclear.
Canva Presentation – 20 points
4 – Presentation is organized, creative, easy to read and includes appropriate images.
3 – Good: Presentation is organized and mostly easy to understand.
2 – Developing: Presentation has some organizational or readability problems.
1 – Beginning: Presentation is incomplete or difficult to understand.
Collaboration and Presentation – 20 points
4 – Excellent: All group members were included, did their part, communicated respectfully, and added to the Canva Presentation.
3 – Good: Most group members participate and complete their responsibilities.
2 – Developing: Participation or collaboration is inconsistent.
1 – Beginning: There is little evidence of teamwork or participation.
Total: 100 Points
Conclusion
Congratulations, Animal Experts
You have completed your animal classification adventure!
Throughout this WebQuest on animal classification, you were able to research different animals and look at their physical characteristics and behaviors as well as to classify animals into different groups and compare many animals as well as research and give presentations about the different animals that were researched throughout this WebQuest.
Next time you see an animal, take a close look at its physical characteristics and learn more about the animals of the world!
Enrichment Activity
Want to continue exploring?
Visit National Geographic Kids – Animals:
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/
Choose an animal that your group did not research for the main portion of your mini enrichment project.
Create a mini "Animal Expert Card" that includes:
- Animal name
- Animal group
- Picture
- Three physical characteristics
- One behavior
- One interesting fact
Then explain why you chose that particular classification for the animal and share 2-3 sentences about the animal as well.
Teacher Page
Teacher Name: Orianna Leota
Grade Level: 3rd Grade
Subject: Science
Topic :Animal Classification
WebQuest Title: Amazing Animals: Become an Animal Classification Expert
Purpose: This WebQuest was created for a 3rd grade student. The student will learn about how to classify animals using physical characteristics as well as behavior. Online resources will be used for research. The student will work with peers, analyze the information found, and complete a digital presentation in order to demonstrate their knowledge of animal classification.
This WebQuest integrates the following important skills in order to better meet standards for learning in the 21st century: science content, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, digital literacy, and creativity.
By the end of the WebQuest, students will be able to:
- Describe similarities and differences among animal groups.
- Classify animals according to observable characteristics and behaviors.
- Analyze research information to justify animal classifications.
- Communicate Effectively with Classmates via Synchronous and Asynchronous Means.
- Create and present a digital presentation to demonstrate knowledge of animal classification.
Teacher Instructions
Introduce vocabulary for animal classification and have students review previously learned vocabulary for classification of mammals such as characteristics of mammals and examples of mammals. Vocabulary to introduce includes bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, arthropod, vertebrate, and invertebrate.
Assign four students into a group and have them select roles with corresponding responsibilities within the group.
Provide students with access to a shared Google Doc for their group work and access to the class discussion board. Discuss properly using the internet and remind students to not share any personal information.
Students will be introduced to the approved research websites and will learn to recognize important information and to not use large chunks of information and to give proper credit.
Students continue with research for the project, and complete their Canva presentations.
Throughout this activity the teacher should be circulating around the class to see how students are getting on, to offer feedback and to check for understanding. He/she should also be available to support groups when needed.
Review rubric with students just before presentations.
Differentiated Instruction
The WebQuest can be used to accommodate different learning styles.
These types of learners are best supported with photographs, Canva slides and graphics as well as visual examples of classification.
Auditory learners benefit from group discussions and oral presentations.
Reading/writing learners benefit from online research and the shared research document.
Kinesthetic and collaborative learners will benefit from the group roles in the project.
Students who require additional support may receive:
Teacher-selected animals
Vocabulary cards
Sentence starters
Graphic organizers
Text-to-speech tools
Extended time
Peer support
Reduced research requirements when appropriate
Students who demonstrate mastery early in the project can continue to research other animals or investigate more complex issues of classification.
Assessment Overview
Assessment Overview: Students are assessed through both Formative and Summative Assessments.
Formative assessment during class where teacher can observe how students are doing during class discussions, note taking, deciding on the classification of an animal, and how they are participating in class.
Summative assessment for the 100-point rubric includes the completed Canva presentation and group presentation by each student.
The 100-point rubric evaluates:
Animal classification – 20 points
Research and information – 20 points
Comparison and analysis – 20 points
Canva presentation – 20 points
Collaboration and presentation – 20 points
The assessment will measure the student’s ability to identify, classify, analyze, work collaboratively, and communicate their knowledge of the different groups of animals.
Approximate Time
Day 1: Introduction, animal groups, group assignments and roles.
Day 2: Online research and shared-document collaboration
Day 3: Complete research and begin Canva presentation
Day 4: Complete and review presentations
Day 5: Group presentations, assessment, and reflection