Animals in Captivity WebQuest

Have you ever visited the zoo with your family? What did you see there? How many new creatures did you visit? Zoos have many different animals that are brought from many different countries around the world. It is important for the zookeepers to know where the animals came from so that they can duplicate their habitat. If the animals are put in a habitat that they are not used to, they can get very sick or could even die. The zookeepers also have to know what the animal eatsin the wild so that they are fed the same types of foods while in captivity. It is very important for the zookeepers to provide the right habitat and diet for every animal in the zoo.

Your town has just announced that they have decided to put a zoo in for everybody to enjoy, but there is a problem. The mayor, Mr. Bartlett is not sure what animals he wants to put in the new zoo. He needs your help deciding which animals to include. He also needs to know what habitats the animals live in and what they like to eat. He needs to know the correct environment and diet for each animal so that they will be happy in their new home.

I will put you into groups of three.Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to choose 3 animals that you would like to see in the new zoo. You need to do research to find more information about your animals. As a group, you will do research to find which continents and countries the animals live in, what habitat they need to survive, and which foods the animals like to eat. When the whole class is finished we will make a book of the animals that will live in our new zoo.

These are the steps that you need to follow in order to complete the assignment:

1. First you need to decide which person in each group is going to be the hunter, the veterinarian dietician, and the habitat specialist.

2. Next, each of the group members need to look on the roles pages to find out which questions they have to answer.

3. Then, each member of the group has to do research to find the answers to their designated questions.

4. These questions also need to be answered as a group: How big is the animal? What is the life expectancy of the animal? Name two unique and interesting characterisitcs of the animal?
5. When everybody has finished with the questions, each group member needs to check and make sure that he or she agrees with everybody's answers.

6. When all questions are answered, the group needs to use Microsoft Word to type the answers. Use clipart and be creative with the way you present the information!

7. After the information is typed out, turn it in as a rough draft. I will correct things and then allow you to fix anything that needs to be improved.

8. When you are done fixing any errors and adding the final touches, print your information and hand it in.Along with the typed information, I would also like to see any rough drafts you used to complete your final draft.

Your grade will be based on:

1. Effort 2.Neatness 3.Creativity 4.Variety of resouces 5.Accuracy of facts 6.Ability to work in a group You will be graded individually!

What did you learn by completing this assignment? You should have learned why it is important for animals to live in a habitat that is similar to their natural surroundings. Animals also need to be fed foods that they would eat in the wild. Which animal was your favorite? Why? Do more research and find out more interesting facts about your favorite animal and write a journal about what you would do if you had that animal as a pet.