Introduction
This webquest will introduce and familiarize you with the characteristics every living organisms have in order to be living. Students will work in groups of 2 and will each be given a role, then will switch roles halfway through.
Student A will begin constructing the project while Student B does the web searches for the first 4 characteristics. For the last 4 characteristics, students will switch roles and continue to finish the project.
In the web search role, students will search the web and be a voice to the student who is in the construction role. In the construction role, students will be a scribe to what is found online and use the information given to them and translate it into the concept map.
Task
You will create a concept map in a word document or by hand on blank paper. Your concept map must consist of:
- All 8 characteristics of life
- Definition/description
- A picture and/or drawing depicting the characteristic
- A specific example - this should give specific details of the characteristic
Each person's concept map may look and be formatted differently. You may first create a bulleted list of the information to help organize and brainstom, but this does not qualify as a concept map.
Use your online resources to help you find information. Remember safe internet practices and look for credible sources.
Student Roles:
Student A will begin constructing the project while Student B does the web searches for the first 4 characteristics. For the last 4 characteristics, students will switch roles and continue to finish the project.
In the web search role, students will search the web and be a voice to the student who is in the construction role. In the construction role, students will be a scribe to what is found online and use the information given to them and translate it into the concept map.
Process
1. Generate a list of the 8 characteristics of life, typed or written to be turned in.
2. Use your list to put together a concept map. This link has some good reasons to why and how we use concept maps.
http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/concept_maps
3. Draw your concept map on blank paper or construct your concept map using Microsoft Word or an equivalent program. You may also use a free online service. Below are a few options:
https://www.lucidchart.com/pages/examples/concept-maps
4. Each characteristic on your map must also include the following subcategories
- Description
- Picture
- Specific example
5. Make sure your concept map is easy to understand and done neatly
6. Make a bibliography page of websites that you used to obtain information. This should be in bulleted list format (written or typed). It should include the following:
- URL
- What information you found on that site
Example:
- https://bubbl.us/
- Making a concept map
Evaluation
|
Project Component |
Exemplary – 8 points |
Sufficient – 6-7 points |
Poor – 5 or less points |
|
Concept map should include all 8 characteristics of life |
All 8 characteristics are shown |
6-7 characteristics are shown |
5 or less characteristics are shown |
|
Description of each characteristic |
There are 8 descriptions. They are complete, well written, and match the characteristic. |
There are 6-7 descriptions or they are incomplete or hard to understand or they do not match the characteristic. |
There are less than 5 descriptions. They do not match the characteristic and they are hard to understand. |
|
Picture for each characteristic |
There are 8 pictures. They are easy to understand and relevant. |
There are 6-7 pictures or they are hard to understand or they are not relevant. |
There are less than 5 pictures. They do not make sense and they are not relevant. |
|
Example for each characteristic |
There are 8 examples. They are easy to understand and relevant. |
There are 6-7 examples or they are hard to understand or they are not relevant. |
There are less than 5 examples. They do not make sense and they are not relevant. |
|
Concept map as a whole |
Map is easy to follow and neatly done. |
Map is a little confusing or messy. |
Map does not make sense and is very messy and is hard to follow. |
|
Bibliography page |
In list format and includes all sites used with a short description of what was found there. |
In list format but missing some descriptions. Missing some sites. |
Not in list format or does not include what was found at each site. Not enough sites to match information given in map. |
Total project: 48 points
Conclusion
This webquest helps learners organize new ideas into a visual map of concepts. Learners will learn about the characteristics of life as well as be able to organize them into visual categories that cen be reviewed later. In doing this activity, they learn how to organize thoughts and new inforation into a flowing visual aid.
Credits
This webquest was created for high school biology students to explore the characteristics of life. This activity can be done as an introduction to the topic, or later on as an investigation/extension.
Teacher Page
Benefits:
- Webquest allows students to search for information outside of the textbook
- Allows students to be creative with their concept map
- Students work together in groups