A Web Quest for 5th Grade (Reading- Theme 1 -Nature's Fury)
| Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits |
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This Web Quest will give the students an insight into the destructive forces of tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, lightning, floods, volcanoes, and wild fires.
Ø Students in grades five will find this multidisciplinary exploration challenging, yet exciting!
Ø For this Web Quest, the students will need access to a computer and the internet, power point software, a class supply of weather related books, periodicals from the Media Center, and newspaper articles.
Ø Also, a class set of the book Twister would be wonderful for the students to read. Any clips from the news, or videos would also be an asset for the children to gather information.
Ø This project addresses the California State Core in the following areas:
§ Language :
· Standard 1- Develop language through speaking and viewing media.
· Standard 7 - Locate information from a variety of informational text
· Standard 8 -Write daily to communicate effectively for a variety of purposes.
§ Science
· Explain how volcanoes and earthquakes affect Earth's surface
§ Technology
· Use technology for research, data collection, writing, communicating, and publishing activities
§ Library Media
· Define informational problem and identify information needed
Recently three of the major insurance companies have announced huge premium increases citing "Nature's Fury" as the reason. This issue has been brought to the President's attention and he is personally setting up a committee to look into this huge increase to determine if it is necessary or if the insurance companies are simply using "Nature's Fury" as a ploy to increase their revenue. The President is asking you to look closely for benefits that might also result from "Nature's Fury." He feels these positive examples are important to disprove the insurance company’s claims. We're all aware that the surface of the Earth is constantly changing. Some of these changes are very slow and gradual while others are very rapid with dramatic results. This is sometimes referred to as Nature's Fury. After looking over your team's qualifications, he has chosen your group to be part of the team addressing the effects of "Nature's Fury." Your group will be assigned to research one of the major forces of nature that has been cited as resulting in expensive insurance claims. Your task is to thoroughly investigate the resulting effects of earthquakes, volcanoes, tornadoes, hurricanes, wild fires, tsunamis, lightning or floods. You will need give general information about the problems caused and cite specific examples.
What damages to society are inflicted by "Nature's Fury"?
What are the positive contributions of "Nature's Fury"?
How can technology be used to predict when the forces of nature may strike and minimize the damage to society?
After researching and finding facts about the
topic, you will present the information on a power point to the rest of the
committee (the other class groups). You will then construct a letter to the
President to give him your recommendations about allowing the insurance
companies to implement a rate increase.
1. First you'll be assigned to a team of 3 students. Your group will choose one of the listed forces of nature to become experts on.
2. One team member will be in charge of damage reports. A second member will report on the use of technology in assisting in predictions and evacuations. The final team member will have a dual role of photographer (collector of pictures) and reporting any positive effects. A photographer needs to document each picture.
3. Hot List-Good Launching sites|
· http://www.worldbookonline.com
Tornadoes:
These sites are appropriate for grade 4 and up. The children will find information and statistics about tornadoes.
These sites are appropriate for grade 4 and up. The children will find information and statistics about hurricanes.
VolcanoSites
Presentation Guidelines
This rubric shows how you
are going to be graded. It is important for you to review the rubric so that you
understand the expectations and points you need to cover during your research
and presentation.
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Congratulations! Your job is complete! The President is very appreciative of your hard work! Your research was very valuable in making his decision. The research you and your group of experts conducted should also have been valuable in contributing to your knowledge of "Nature's Fury" effect on the environment and damage to society.
Because the research you conducted, you should also have gained experience in using a vast number of resources. You have also worked with fellow students in order to reach a common goal. You should be proud of all you have accomplished!
Pictures and ideas were borrowed from http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/as/education/projects/webquests/disaster/