Introduction
Year 4 MSPS Minibeast Webquest
Have you ever noticed tiny creatures living in your backyard? Under rocks, between pipes, perhaps even wriggling around in the soil?These creatures are minibeasts!
Minibeasts are small animals that do not have an internal skeleton. They are known as invertebrates and bugs and are found all around us.
Have you stopped to think about how the environment affects minibeasts? Or how human activities affect minibeasts? Or even how Minibeasts protect themselves from their predators?
Although very small in size, minibeasts play a very big and important role on planet Earth. Not only do minibeasts eat and reduce the number of pesticides that could potentially ruin crops, but they are a part of the food we, helping to hence keep the natural cycle of life going.
By working through this Webquest, you will be able to gain an understanding of how important the issues of sustainability and preservation are. By the conclusion of the unit, you will be able to design your own 'best' minibeast and a suitable habitat for it to live in. The build up of activities will ensure that you understand many features that impact minibeasts and their habitats including human impact and camouflage. More information about what is exactly required of you upon completion of the unit is outlined in the 'Tasks Page'.
Task
Minibeasts Task Page
By working though the WebQuest, you will be able to gain an understanding of the factors affecting the survival of minibeasts. As you work through the unit, you will be able to see how minibeasts camouflage themselves to hide from their predators; how humans can affect the environment in which minibeasts live and how pollution directly affects survival. Your research via the internet and library books will allow you to design your very own minibeast and its habitat. All resources used to compile and search information is listed in the 'Credits Page'.You will be working through various areas of the curriculum including English, Science and Interpersonal Development domains. This will be discussed in greater detail in the 'Teacher's Page'.
The aim of the ‘World of Minibeasts’ WebQuest is to:- Design your own ‘best’ minibeast- Design the environment in which it will live
During the next two weeks, you will be introduced to a new topic. Mini activities will be completed, with a list topics below. The information presented to you over the unit will allow you to produce your own ‘best’ minibeast and to then describe its habitat.
TOPICS
What is a Minibeast?
Classifying minibeasts
Exploring minibeasts outdoors
Investigating minibeast habitats
Food chains and minibeasts
Minibeasts and camouflage
Researching your minibeast
Minibeast presentations
Humans and minibeasts
Design your own minibeast and its habitat
MAJOR TASKS
Designing your ‘best’ minibeast
As the task suggests, you will be designing your own minibeast. The objective of this task is for you to design a minibeast that includes what you believe to be the ‘best’ features of a minibeast. You will need to consider the following features:
- Colour
- Camouflage ability
- Size
- Shape
- How it moves – for example, does it run, walk, fly or swim?
Designing your habitat
Your second major task is to design your ‘best’ minibeasts habitat. When deciding on its habitat, you will need to consider the following:
- Will your minibeast survive in its habitat? For example, if you design a minibeast that closely resembles a grasshopper, will you identify its habitat as being the ocean?
- Whether the minibeast can camouflage itself from its predators.
- Does your habitat provide food for your minibeast? For example, does your minibeast live in long grass and only eat grass?
Please note, there will be ongoing assessment tasks that you will need to perform during the unit. You may be required to download assessment sheets which can be found on the 'Evaluation Page'.
Process
Minibeasts Process Page
Week 1. What is a Minibeast?
Week 2. Classifying Minibeasts
Week 3. Exploring Minibeasts Outdoors
Week 4. Investigating Minibeast Habitats
Week 5. Food Chains and Minibeasts
Week 6. Minibeasts and Camouflage
Week 7. Researching your minibeast
Week 8. Minibeast Presentations
Week 9. Humans and minibeasts
Week 10. Design your own minibeast and its habitat
Click on the butterfly to enter the evaluation page
Evaluation
Evaluation
Attached below are all of the assessment criteria you will be evaluated against during the Minibeast unit.
Over the 10 week unit there will be a range of summative assessments (where you are assessed task-by-task) and an overall formative assessment which looks at skills such as speaking, participation, work content and the physical presentation of your work. We would like to see you put in an effort for every week in which you take part in the webquest!
Formative assessment
This can be used for both the student's self assessment and for the teacher's assessment. The document is attached below:
Conclusion
Congratulations on completing the minibeast webquest and on designing your own 'best' minibeast and its habitat! We hope that over the past 10 weeks you have learnt about the many minibeats that live with us in our homes, schools and natural environment. You should now be able to recognise the many ways in which minibeasts live, protect themselves and survive in our wonderful World. Now that you have finished have a think about the following questions:
-How can you continue to help sustain the natural environment for minibeasts?
-What can you tell other people about the impact they may have on a minbeast's environment?
-Do you think it's possible to create a natural environment at home or school to help protect some of the more vulnerable minibeasts?
Before you leave, we don't want you to go away empty handed! You will find a link below which contains your very own certificate of achievement. All you need to do is open the document into Microsoft Word, fill in your name and the date and then you're ready to print it off!
We hope you have enjoyed learning about the many ways minibeasts survive in our World. Be sure to practise what you now know and spread the word to all of your family and friends!
Click on the bee to enter the teacher's page
Credits
Credits Edit 0 20…The following books and websites have been used to develop this unit:
All images have been taken from Google Images.
Introduction
Minibeasts. Youtube. Retrieved August 19, 2010, from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WAj__yswBY&feature=search
Minibeast Wildlife. What is a Minibeast? Retrieved July 19, 2010 from: http://www.minibeastwildlife.com.au/What%20is%20a%20minibeast.htm
WEEK 2
Aussie Educator. A Total Education Page for Australia. Insects. Retrieved July 21, 2010, from:http://www.aussieeducator.org.au/curriculum/science/animals/insects.html
CSRIO Entomology: about insects. Retrieved July 21, 2010, from: http://www.ento.csiro.au/about_insects/
CSIRO: Insects and their allies: All insects are invertebrates! Retrieved July 21, 2010 from:http://www.ento.csiro.au/education/what_invertebrates.html
Roetman., P. Division of Information Technology, Engineering and the Environment, Division of Hardy Centre for Sustainable Urban Environments. Retrieved July 21, 2010 from :http://www.unisa.edu.au/barbarahardy/factsheets/Invertebrates.asp
Kidport Reference Library: science. Amphibians. Retrieved July 21, 2010, from: http://www.kidport.com/reflib/science/animals/Amphibians.htm
Kidport Reference Library: science. Animal Index: Vertebrates. Retrieved July, 21, 2010 from:http://www.kidport.com/reflib/science/animals/animalindexv.htm
Rader's Biology for Kids. Vertebrate Basics. Retrieved July 21, 2010 from: http://www.biology4kids.com/files/vert_main.html
Webspawner: Amphibians. Retrieved July 21, 2010, from: http://www.webspawner.com/users/petcentralamphibians/
WEEK 4:
Bingham, C., Morgan, B., & Roberston, M. (2007). Buzz. Dorling Kindersley, London.
Coombs, R., & Harris, N. (2006). Minibeasts. Dorling Kindersley, London.
WEEK 5
Eco Kids: Chain Reaction, Build a Food Chain. Retrieved July 23, 2010, from:http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/eco_info/topics/frogs/chain_reaction/index.cfm
E. Dale Joyner Nature Preserve. Golden Silk Spider. Retrieved July, 23, 2010, from: http://pelotes.jea.com/spiders.htm
Gun Powder Works: Minibeast Food Chains. Retrieved July 27, 2010, from:http://www.gunpowderworks.co.uk/pdf/W8_Minibeast_Food_Chains.pdf
Hiding animals. Youtube. Retrieved August 19, 2010, from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x69DNj0qPwU&feature=search
Interesting Animals: What do ants eat? Retrieved July 24, 2010, from:http://www.interestinganimals.net/what_do_ants_eat/what_do_ants_eat.html
Meng. A & Meng H (2010) Food Chains & Food Webs. Retrieved July 23, 2010, from: http://www.vtaide.com/png/foodchains.htm
Pelotes Island Nature Preserve. Mosquito, Family Culcidae. Retrieved July 24, 2010, from:http://pelotes.jea.com/AnimalFact/Arthropod/mosquito.htm
What do Butterflies Eat? Retrieved July 24, 2010, from: http://www.whatdobutterflieseat.info/
Yahoo Kids: Dictionary. Retrieved July 26, 2010, from: http://kids.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/englis
WEEK 6
Minibeasts. Retreieved July 19, 2010 from: www.museumwales.ac.uk/media/1/8/9/2/minibeasts_eng.ppt
What are Minibeasts. A seven part series exploring the fantastic world of science. Scottish Executive. Retrieved July 19, 2010 from:http://www.sensation.org.uk/cmsimages/Education/Posters/Minibeasts%20teaching%20resources.pdf
WEEK 7
Animal Corner: Insects and Bugs. Retrieved August 5th, 2010, from: http://www.animalcorner.co.uk/insects/insects.html
Australian Museum: Nature, Culture, Discover. Insects. Retrieved August 5th, 2010 from: http://australianmuseum.net.au/Insects
Bug Guide: All Abuzz About Bugs. Retrieved August 5th, 2010, from: http://bugguide.net/node/view/15740
Conrad, Jim: Backyard Nature. Retrieved August 5th, 2010, from: http://www.backyardnature.net
Kidcyber, animals and insects. Retrieved August 5th, 2010, from: http://www.kidcyber.com.au/topics/insects.htm
Museum Victoria: Bugs, what is a bug? Retrieved August 5th, 2010, from: http://museumvictoria.com.au/bugs/aboutbugs/index.aspx
WEEK 9
EPA Victoria. (2010). What Is Air Pollution? Retrieved July 20, 2010 from: http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/air/aq4kids/pollution.asp
Minibeasts in your Garden. Retrieved July 20, 2010 from: http://www.lancashirewildlife.org.uk/leaflets/gardening/ne22minibeasts.pdf
Wildlife in the Garden. Retrieved July 20, 2010 from: http://www.ypte.org.uk/environmental/wildlife-in-the-garden/111
Teacher Page
Teacher's Page
Webquest Title:The World of Minibeasts
Authors:
Maria Xerri and Rebecca Franzone
Year Level:
This unit is designed for students in Grades 3 and 4, progressing towards VELS Level 3.
Length of Unit:
10 weeks
Benefits of doing such a unit of work:
The topic of minibeasts is one that will appeal to students. Filled with rich activities, this unit allows students to learn about different types of minibeasts, the importance of protecting minibeasts and the importance of sustaining a healthy environment.
Definition of Sustainability:
For the purpose of this unit, sustainability refers to the way in which we can protect the natural habitat and environment of minibeasts. We would like students to learn about the importance of preserving natural habitats, taking care of the environment and of all creatures great and small (including minibeasts).
VELS
Intended Learning Outcomes:
‘The World of Minibeasts’ webquest addresses various aspects of the VELS curriculum.
Domain: Science, Knowledge and Understanding – Level 3
The webquest links directly to the science domain. At Level 3, “students identify and describe the structural features of living things, including plants and animals. They identify how these features operate together to form systems which support living things to survive in their environments.” At the completion of the webquest, students will be able to understand how certain minibeasts live in their environment. They will be able to understand why some minibeasts are equipped with certain features to ensure survival (e.g. are camouflaged a certain way).
At Level 3, students should be able to “describe natural physical and biological conditions, and human influences in the environment, which affect the survival of living things.” Week 9 is devoted to human impact on the environment. From this lesson, students will be able to identify how human actions impact minibeasts habitats. Students will be able to determine the negative effects of pollution for example, and will be able to identify ways in which humans can help the environment and the natural habitat of minibeasts, whether that be by using our cars less, or by ensuring that all rubbish is either placed in the garbage or recycling bins
.
Domain : English
There are various writing tasks throughout this unit. Students are to use information researched on the internet and through books to complete certain tasks. In Week 7, students are to prepare for a class presentation. They are to research a minibeast, sort through information and then create a 3 minute presentation. The task is intended to help students see the importance of sifting through information to extract the information that is relevant to the task at hand.
Domain: Interpersonal Development, working in teams
Throughout the webquest, students will be working in small groups to complete set tasks. It is hoped, that upon completion of the unit, students feel more comfortable working with their peers. Students need to be able to demonstrate collaboration, respect for fellow group members and team participation.
Suggested Excursions:
If time permits in the term, a great place to take students on an excursion to explore minibeast habitats is the LaTrobe Wildlife Sanctuary. Whilst here, students will be involved in exploring the natural habitats of minibeasts through activities such as 'Dip Netting', 'Invertebrate Survey', 'Close Encounters' and the 'Ant/Bee Game'. The standard excursion experience goes for 2 hours and costs $10 per student.
For further information visit the LaTrobe Wildlife Santuary at http://www.latrobe.edu.au/wildlife or phone Andrew Stocker (Education and Information Coordinator) on 03 9479 1206
A great resource to look up if contemplating the excursion is the the 'Minibeast Wonderland' pdf, which can be found athttp://www.latrobe.edu.au/wildlife/assets/downloads/Minibeasts-Pretrip-Detail.pdf
Additional activities:
Leading on from this unit, various topics can be explored as an extension to what was covered by 'The World of Minibeast' webquest. Lessons about conservation, recycling, food webs and endangered species can be looked into.
Click on the dragonfly to enter the resources page
