A Pond Life WebQuest Adapted for use by Mrs. Kojis Originally designed by Laura Donovan as Pond Life WebQuest

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teacher | References

Introduction:
Ponds are a wonderful place to study plant and animal life. Stop, be still and listen! At first, it may seem quiet, but soon you will begin to hear the sounds…insects buzzing, birds chirping, frogs plopping into the water, plants rustling in the breeze. This WebQuest will lead you to learn much more about the wonders of life in and around freshwater ponds.

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teacher | References

Task: Expand your knowledge on the many wonders living in the pond right outside of our classroom. Your job is to research information and compile it into a presentation to share with your teachers and peers. Remind us why it is important to care for our pond.

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teacher | References

Process:

Research Pond Habitats and Pond Friends Choose 1 of the habitats (each student needs to choose a different habitat) and use the Habitats Chart for your notes.

Learn more about specific pond animals. Choose 1 pond creature that lives in your chosen habitat to research. Click on a creature to learn more. 

Turtle	Frog	Dragonfly
Salamander	Duck	Snail

Learn eight interesting facts about your pond creature.  Open this fact sheet and print to write down your notes.

Explore the importance of ponds as part of an ecosystem. Use the Ecosystem chart to keep track of your notes.

Compile all of your notes into a power point presentation. Your presentation should include the following:

1. A minimum of 6 slides (1 title page, 2 slide explaining your habitat, 2 slide explaining your chosen animal, 1 explaining the importance of ponds in an ecosystem.)

2. Background features

3. Pictures

OR

Using pictures and the information that you gathered, create a poster. Your poster should include the following:

1. Typed facts placed appropriately

2. A minimum of 6 pictures (clip art, printed materials, and/or hand drawn)

3. Appealing set-up and design

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teacher | References

Evaluation:

Check the Power Point Rubric or the Poster Rubric to see that you have completed the power point presentation or poster properly.

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teacher | References

Conclusion:

Upon completing this Web Quest, you should

§ feel confident using the Internet to do research for collecting simple  information about a pond life creature

§ understand why ponds are important to an ecosystem

§ recognize various pond animals and know their importance to pond life

§ be able to complete a power point presentation with pictures and backgrounds or create a poster that accurately depicts pond life

You have been working hard. Take a short break and play some of these interactive games!

Froggy Tic-Tac-Toe

Froggy Memory Check

Musical Frogs

Habitat Game

Save the Frogs of Cattail Pond

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teacher | References

Teacher Page

Access information regarding student outcomes, model academic standards and resources needed for the execution of this WebQuest.

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teacher | References

References:

Web Quest adapted from Laura Donovan

http://www.hinghamschools.com/prs/teachers/donovanl/pondlifequest.htm

Information on Turtles http://octopus.gma.org/turtles/index.html

Information on Frogs http://www.exploratorium.edu/frogs/

Information on Dragonflies http://dragonflywebsite.com/

Information on Salamanders http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/spotted_salamander.htm

Information on Ducks http://www.kiddyhouse.com/Farm/ducks.html

Information on Snails http://www.kiddyhouse.com/Snails/snail.html

Pond Habitats http://www.naturegrid.org.uk/pondexplorer/pond-cross.html

Animals living in various pond habitats http://www.fi.edu/fellows/fellow9/jun99/slideshowtest.htm

Importance of various ecosystems http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nwepecosystems.htm

Froggy Tic-Tac-Toe http://allaboutfrogs.org/funstuff/java/tictactoe/index.html

Froggy Memory Game http://allaboutfrogs.org/funstuff/java/memory/memorycheck.html

Musical Frogs Interactive Game http://allaboutfrogs.org/funstuff/java/flashfun/musicfrogs.html

Habitat Game http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/8_9/habitats.shtml

Save the Frogs of Cattail Pond http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/eco_info/topics/frogs/cattail_pond/cattail_play.cfm

Clip Art http://www.graphicgarden.com/

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teacher | References