Earth
History
Webquest
A WebQuest for 10th Grade Earth Science
Designed by
Thomas
Cutonilli
Introduction | Task |
Process | Conclusion
| Evaluation
| Credits
Lesson Plan | Table
of Contents
Introduction...
The
Earth is in crises.
Global temperatures are rising. Weather patterns are
changing. Numerous species of plants and animals are becoming
extinct, and are being replaced by more agressive forms. Food and
resources are dwindling worldwide, and scariest of all, a large
meteoroid is on a course that could cause it to strike the Earth.
People are panicking and are worried that the end is near.
Will humans be able to
survive? Can life adapt? Will there be a tomorrow?
back to top
The
Task...
You are part of a group of
scientists commissioned by the President of the United States to
research and present to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland a
history of life on Earth to help better understand the situation and to
possibly give hope that the changes occuring now are not unique in
Earth's history. You are to show how that the events happening
today are similar to events that have occurred in the past, and more
importantly, you are to show how life has adapted and evolved to these
changes that have ocurred.
1.
You and your group members have been assigned a specific time period to
research using the links provided and at least three (3) other online
resources/websites of your choosing. Any/all resources used must
be properly cited.
2.
Your group will create a PowerPoint presentation to present to the
United
Nations. Your presentation must include the geography of the
planet's surface, the life forms that existed, and any information
about the climate of the Earth during the assigned time period.
Your presentation must include working links to any graphics, videos,
images, or other multimedia texts you decide to use (must include at
least one).
3. You will
then
be asked to write a formal essay that will address
questions related to this activity as well as your predictions as to
the future of the Earth's environment and people's ability to adapt to
any forthcoming changes. Your essay will be submitted as a blog
for others in the class to read and comment on. You must
comment/respond to at least two other student essays.
back to top
The
Process...
Each science group is
assigned and
responsible for a specific period of geologic time (for example: the
Cretaceous Period, or the Devonian Period)
Within each group, you will
have a role to play and will consist of:
The Geologist - The geologist
studies how rocks and minerals form, and how they are transported
across the Earth's surface. The geologist will research how the
Earth's landmasses have changed through time and determine what the
landmasses looked liked during the assigned time period.
The Climotologist -
The
climotologist will study the effects of Earth's long-term weather
patterns on the planet. The climotologist will research
what the climate was like and how the climate affected the Earth during
the assigned time period.
The
Paleontologist -
The
paleontologist studies prehistoric life on Earth through the
examination of fossilized plants and animals. The paleontologist
will research what life forms existed on Earth during the assigned time
period.
After conducting your
research
within your particular role, you will collaborate and work with your
other science group members to develop a PowerPoint presentation that
will include multimedia links to support your findings on the
relationship between the geology and climate of the Earth and the life
that has existed in the past. You will present your findings to a
full session of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland (your class),
so will will have to be prepared to present this as professionals (you
may have to rehearse your presentation).
All science group members
will
participate in the presentation to be given and the goal of each group
is to show how the relationship between the Earth's geology and climate
have resulted in changes in the life that existed on Earth.
Resources...
Each group member can use the
following list of resources for their research in their assigned
roles. This is only a small list of possible websites to visit
and research, and you must use and cite at least three more in addition
to these. Be sure to use as
many primary sources of information as possible. Additional
resources must be valid and reliable (remember how to evaluate a chosen
website). Most importantly, be sure to cite all references used
in your project.
back to top
Conclusion...
Now that you have completed
your
research and presented your science group's assigned time period, take
a few moments to go over the following questions as you listen to the
group presenations of your classmates on their time periods:
First - Would you have been able to
surive the time period your group was assigned? Explain in detail
why or why not.
Second - Do you think it is possible
for Earth to have another ice age? What evidence do you have
(from your group's research or the other groups' presentations) to
support your answer?
Third - Do you think there will be
new continents in the Earth's future? Support your answer with
findings from the class presentations.
Last - Do you believe that humans
can survive our planet's changing environment in the long term?
What will humans have to do to be able to succeed and flourish in the
future? What do you believe will be in store for us in the
future? Use evidence from the presenations to help
support your answer.
Your conclusion should be
presented in a well crafted (best academic
prose) essay with an introduction, body, and conclusion. Only
word processed essays will be accepted as they are to be posted to a
class blog for comment. You must comment on at least two student
essays.
back to top
Evaluation...
Students will be evaluated
both
formally and informally. Students will be required to present
their Powerpoint presentations in their assigned groups to the
class. Participation will be factored into the grade. A
conclusion posted to the class blog based on the presentations will be
required of all students.
Grading will be based on the
following rubric:
18-20 points =
Excellent 12-18 points = Good
9-12 points = Fair 0-8 points = Poor
Objectives
|
0
Points
|
3
Points
|
5
Points
|
Conduct
research using the internet to discover information about the
Earth's history
|
No
sources were included from research
|
One
to three sources were included from research
Sources included not documented properly
|
More
than three sources were included from research
Sources included documented properly
|
Draw
conclusions about the future of the Earth based on similar examples
from Earth's past
|
Conclusion
activity not done or not posted to class blog
No comments made on student essays
|
Conclusion
activity completed and posted to class blog
Commented on two or more student essays
Conclusions drawn not supported with evidence researched
|
Conclusion
activity completed
Commented on two or more student essays
Conclusions drawn supported with evidence researched
|
Prepare
and present a presentation on their assigned time period
|
Group
does not have presenation completed by due date
Presenation hastily prepared and disorganized - leaves audience confused
No links provided
|
Group
presenation completed and on time
Presentation not performed smoothly and in a "professional" manner
Links provided not appropriate or not working
|
Group
presenation completed and on time
Presentation performed smoothly and "professionally"
Links provided appropriate and working properly
|
Work
collaboratively and effectively with others in completing an assigned
task
|
Did
not work with others to complete the assignment
Did not utilize time effectively
Did not contribute to the group presentation
|
Relied
on others for most research
Contributed to the group presentation
|
Worked
well within group
Contributed significant research for the group task
Contributed to the group presentation
|
back
to top
Credits
& References...
Peri Nelson
(co-worker)
who suggested doing a lesson that deals with fossils - she inspired
this idea on Earth History and I thought it may work with tying it in
to a modern problem.
Sabrina Johnson-Taylor - my
wonderful professor (EDF 526) who
introduced me to many wonderfull technology tools and to the idea of
webquests (including some very useful required readings), and for
answering my many questions.
Bernie Dodge, San Diego State
University, whose article "Some Thought
About WebQuests" taught me what webquests are and provided a few links
to examples of webquests.
Tom March, whose article "The
Learning Power of WebQuests" provided
many useful links to webquests that I could use as examples while
completing this webquest.
History of Earth Landmasses image
obtained November 29, 2007 from: http://www.noc.soton.ac.uk/gg/classroom@sea/carlsberg/images/plate_history_lge.jpg
back to top
