Introduction
Stare out of our classroom windows. We have clean air, fresh water, and nutritious soil in our gardens thanks to our beautiful mountains.
However, when we have heavy rains and typhoons, do you observe how the land becomes loose and slides down the hills? Do you observe how muddy the river is? This is caused by the deforestation that strips the mountains off their protective cover. It results in the silent but deadly soil erosion.
Meet the Mountain Guardians! We need your help in your village. Barangay Council plans to make an action plan for our protection against landslides.
Your challenge is to find out about the causes of soil erosion and how to use the simple local plants as a web that will hold our soil firmly. Will you help me save our mountains?
Task
Task of your team: Make a Green Mountain Guide and Poster for your family and community members. In groups of 3 members each, you have to do some research work about preventing soil erosion and make the following things:
• 1. Local Plant List: A plain list of local trees or grass (vetiver or bamboo), which are excellent for retaining soil.
• 2. "Before and after" Poster: A drawn poster of barren mountain slope versus green mountain slope.
• 3. Action Plan: Simple three actions for protecting our soil (gardening in backyards, not cutting trees on slopes).
Process
Form a group of three and assign yourself a specific role:
Soil Investigator: Looks into the causes of soil erosion (rain, wind, clearing of lands) and the places where landslides occur.
Plant Specialist: Finds information about local plants and crops, as well as local bamboo, which have strong roots to hold onto the soil.
Community Leader: Finds easy ways of protecting the environment that families can do together without any costs.
Directions:
1. Research: Look through the resources provided, go outside, or talk to a local farmer about the plants in the mountains and the soil there.
2. Discuss: Discuss the causes of soil erosion and the plants that can prevent it.
3. Draw: As a team, make your "Before and After" mountain poster on paper or recycled cardboard.
4. Write: At the bottom of the poster, write down your 3 community action steps
Evaluation
Your guide and poster will be graded using this simple Scoring Rubric
| Criteria | Very good(4) | Good(3) | Fair(2) | Poor (1) |
| Complete & Factually Correct | Complete & Factually Correct The project is completely finished. All details about soil erosion and plants are factually correct. The project is finished. Most details are accurate, with only minor errors. The project is partly finished. Some information about soil or plants is incorrect. The project is incomplete and contains many factual errors. | The project is finished. Most details are accurate, with only minor errors. | The project is partly finished. Some information about soil or plants is incorrect. | The project is incomplete and contains many factual errors. |
| Focus on the Topic | Every part of the poster and guide focuses strictly on protecting mountain soil and trees. | Mostly focused on the mountain environment, with a few unrelated details. | Talks about general environment topics but forgets to focus on soil erosion. | Does not focus on the topic of mountain or soil protection at all. |
| Clear & Logical Presentation | The drawings and arguments are perfectly clear, making it very easy for the community to understand. | The poster is clean and logical, though one or two explanations could be clearer. | The poster is messy or disorganized, making the ideas hard to follow. | Unorganized layout with no clear message or explanation |
| Deals with the Whole Question | Fully answers all three tasks: the plant list, the drawing, and the action plan. | Covers all three tasks, but one section lacks detail or explanation | Misses one whole task (e.g., forgot the action plan or the plant list). | Misses multiple tasks and does not meet the basic guidelines. |
Conclusion
Great job, Mountain Guardians! With this WebQuest activity, you have found out that the well-being of our mountains lies in our hands every day. You are now aware of the importance of roots in protecting the ground, and the simple act of planting in helping protect our homes from landslides.
Pause for a while and ask yourself:
• What is one spot in our community that could use some tree planting?
• How will you share the things that you have learned today with your own family?
Posters can now be posted inside your class or the barangay hall to serve as a reminder that taking care of our mountain home is important. Protect our land!
Credits
This Web Quest will help teach students about context based science. Thank you to the Department of Education for aligning this Web Quest with the curriculum, and also thank you to local farmers and elders for sharing their knowledge about the mountainous region's plants and land.
Resources
Media and images were taken from ideas from the DepEd TV and free climate modules. The WebQuest was based off the WebQuest model created by Bernie Dodge
Teacher Page
Grade/Subject: Grade 7/8 Science or Araling Panlipunan
Learning Outcomes: Students will understand reasons for soil erosion. Students will learn about native plants which help prevent erosion on slopes. Students will work together to create a plan.
Teaching Strategies Used: This lesson uses inquiry and cooperative learning strategies. Roles will be given to ensure accountability and context will be used to ensure the lesson is highly relevant.
Tips for Implementation
Not much internet: Print off or download any reading packs beforehand. Ask students to interview local farmers or elderlies to help them complete their plant list.
Materials: Use recycled corrugated card or old calendars to make posters.