Introduction
As we have learned about habitats as a class, we learned that animals live in different places around the world, and they are called habitats. Habitats is something that helps animals survive in the wild, such as food, water, shelter, and space to survive from prey. Throughout this web quest, you will be exploring 4 major habitats: The forest, ocean, desert, and Arctic, and will learn what makes each habitat unique. After looking at the links, you will learn how the animals adapt to survive in the wilderness. So put on your scientist pants and start observing, comparing, and explaining how animals live in their environments!
Task
Directions:
Step 1: Visit all the links listed below and take a peek at each habitat: Forest, Ocean, Desert, and the Arctic.
Step 2: Once you have taken a look at the habitats, fill out your Habitat Chart using the information you found.
Step 3: You will create a habitat poster that includes all the habitats and some animals in each habitat, explaining what you have learned.
Step 4: You will turn in your chart with your poster at the end of day 2.
Process
Day 1: Habitat Exploration Day!
Directions: You will explore the websites below and look at Forests, Oceans, Deserts, and Arctic habitats. Once you have explored the habitats, please list 3 animals you found for each habitat listed above. Then you will describe one adaptation that will help each animal survive. While you are finding those facts, please fill out your Habitat Chart with your findings.
Links :
Polar/ Arctic Habitats- https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/nature/habitats/article/polar
Animal 1:
Animal 2:
Animal 3:
Forest Habitats- https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/nature/habitats/article/temperate-forest
Animal 1:
Animal 2:
Animal 3:
Ocean Habitats- https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/nature/habitats/article/ocean
Animal 1:
Animal 2:
Animal 3:
Desert Habitats- https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/nature/habitats/article/desert
Animal 1:
Animal 2:
Animal 3:
Evaluation
Day 2: Create Your Habitat Poster
Directions: Once you have completed Day 1 of exploration day, you are now moving on to Day 2, which is when we start transforming everything we learned digitally onto paper. You will select one habitat and deep dive into everything you learned about that habitat. Gather all of your notes and your habitat chart to begin designing your poster. Once you have finished, you will present to the class as a gallery walk.
Poster Must Include:
- The Habitat you chose
- 3 animals from your chosen habitat
- 1 adaptation for each animal
- 1 sentence explaining how or why this habitat is important
- A drawing or picture of your habitat
Conclusion
| Criteria | 3 Points (Exceeds) | 2 Points (Meets) | 1 Point (Below) |
| Introduction and Understanding | The introduction clearly explains the purpose | Introduction gives a brief explanation of the purpose | Introduction is unclear or missing key parts |
| Task Completion | Both day tasks were fully completed with accurate and correct information | The tasks were mostly completed with small errors | Tasks are incomplete or inaccurate |
| Process Steps | The student followed all steps with strong effort and lots of detail. | Followed the majority of the steps with some detail | Steps were not followed or details were lacked |
| Habitat Chart | All 4 habitats were completed with correct facts | 2-3 habitats completed | 1 or fewer habitats completed |
| Poster Project | Includes all required parts. It is also neat and organized | Missing one required part | Missing required marts |
| Quality (Spelling, Grammar, Fluency) | Writing is clear, easy to read, and connected | Some errors but the meaning is clear | Too many errors; difficult to understand |
Credits
Once you have explored all four different animal habitats and discovered how they survive, you can put away your scientist pants (for now) and pat yourself on the back! You will have now learned that animals have special features called Adaptations that help animals live in their habitats. All of your amazing posters will show what you learned and teach your peers about animals' homes. Great Job becoming a Habitat Explorer!
Teacher Page
Purpose of this Web Quest: This web quest introduces 2nd-grade students to major worldwide habitats and the animals that live in them. Students will practice research skills, make observations, compare areas, and understand basic scientific reasoning.
Student Learning Objectives: Students will be able to identify the characteristics of four major habitats after this web quest. They will also describe how animals adapt and survive while gathering information from a digital source. After gathering that valuable information, you will present your research in a visual project.
Materials Needed:
- Printed Habitat Chart
- Poster Paper
- Crayons, Markers, Pencils, Etc.
- Glue, Scissors
- Access to the list of websites
Teacher Instructions Day 1:
Introduce the four habitats during a small lesson and guide them through their website exploration. I will also be supporting students as they complete their charts.
Teacher Instructions Day 2:
I will help students choose their habitats for their posters and provide all the materials and time for them to create their posters. Afterward, I will set the class up for a gallery walk for the whole class to see the habitat posters.
Assessments: I will be using the rubric attached to grade students' work, and I will assess the students on both research accuracy and the completion of the project.
Common Core Standards
SL.2.4- Students will present their information with relevant facts and details corresponding to the links listed.
RI.2.2- Throughout this web quest, students will be identifying the main topic of this lesson and retell key details they have learned.
W.2.7- This web quest has students participate in shared research and complete writing projects.
RI.2.1- When following this web quest along with your habitat chart, students will be asked to answer questions about key details.
NH Elementary Science Standards:
507.01-
- Students will observe the food, water, and shelter in each habitat.
- Students will list the animals they looked at and describe how they survive in said habitats
507.2-
- Students will explain why each habitat is important after this web quest.
- Students' posters will include a sentence about the importance of habitats.
507.3-
- Students will compare animals across all habitats.
- Students will explain the differences within the habitats such as climate, food sources, and survival needs.