1. The World Biome Tourism Corporation WebQuest A WebQuest for 7th and 8 th Graders Subject: Science Designed by Stephanie Thompson and Tammy Seneca sthompson@wbrschools.k12.la.us sthompson@wbrschools.k12.la.us tseneca@wbrschools.k12.la.us Title PageIntroductionTitle PageIntroduction Task Process EvaluationConclusionCreditsTaskProcessEvaluationConclusionCredits

2. Introduction Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel outside of your horizons and explore the earth’s various climates, animals, vegetation, and distinctive land features? Well now you can. Because of your dynamic personality and your quest for knowledge, you have been selected to work with The World Biome Tourism Corporation to gather information on biomes around the world. Title PageIntroductionTitle PageIntroduction Task Process EvaluationConclusionCreditsTaskProcessEvaluationConclusionCredits

3. Task To understand all about the biomes that you are trying to get people to visit you will have to work in groups to visit all of the 7 biomes around the world. To defer the trip’s enormous expense, we will be eliminating the round trip airline ticket and the luxurious room accommodations. Also, free meal tickets to exquisite restaurants and additional spending money for fabulous souvenirs have been disregarded. Instead, you will be given the task of traveling around the world, visiting one of the 7 major biomes, via the Internet. You will become an expert on the particular biome of your choice. Because of your expertise, you will be asked to complete a page in the Biome Tour Book that will be utilized for advertising. The information you provide must explain all about the biome that you have researched. Your seven member team will present their completed Biome Tour Book to the members of the tourism commission. Title PageIntroductionTitle PageIntroduction Task Process EvaluationConclusionCreditsTaskProcessEvaluationConclusionCredits

4. Title PageIntroductionTitle PageIntroduction Task Process EvaluationConclusionCreditsTaskProcessEvaluationConclusionCredits 1.In groups of seven, conduct research on the seven world biomes. All members of the group will complete the Quick Fact Guide. 2.After completing the Quick Fact Guide, each member of the team must choose a biome that he/she is most interested in. 3.Individually, you will each prepare an Information Fact Sheet to put in the Biome Tour Book. 4.You will want to consider the following questions in your Information Fact Sheet : What is your biome’s climate like? (Be sure to include average temperature and precipitation and include a minimum of 2 pictures) What types of animals can be found? (list a minimum of 3 animals) Where on the earth are these biomes located? (list a minimum of 3 places) What types of plants will you find? (list a minimum of 3 plants) Are there any environmental concerns? If so, list them. What other interesting facts did you discover? Remember, your Information Fact Sheet must be informative, colorful, and well organized. Be sure to include a variety of pictures relevant to your particular biome. 5.Now, you need to combine your efforts. With your team, put your book together. 6. Your Biome Tour Book must be well organized and include all 7 biomes. Your Biome Tour Book must also include an introduction page with a world biome map. The Process

5. Title PageIntroductionTitle PageIntroduction Task Process EvaluationConclusionCreditsTaskProcessEvaluationConclusionCredits Use the following links to guide your travels : Biomes of the World http://www.tqnyc.org/NYC063000/ What It’s Like Where You Live http://www.mbgnet.net/ World Biomes http://www.worldbiomes.com/ What is a Biome? http://lsb.syr.edu/projects/cyberzoo/biome.html Biome Habitats http://www.enchantedlearning.com/biomes/ Biome Basics http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/education/projects/webunits/biomes/bio mes.html Introduction to Biomes http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/intro.html

6. Evaluation You will receive two grades for this project. First you will receive a grade for your Quick Fact Guide. Your second grade will be for your Information Fact Sheet in the Biome Book your group puts together. Everyone will receive the same grade for the information page with the biome map. The World’s Biomes: Quick Fact Guide Complete 7 out of 7 Biomes completed 100/100 Partially Complete 4-6 out of 7 Biomes completed 80/100 Not Complete less than 4 Biomes Completed 0/100 Information Fact Sheet in the Biome Tour Book This will be graded with the following rubric. The information as well as the layout and creativity will determine the grade. Title PageIntroductionTitle PageIntroduction Task Process EvaluationConclusionCreditsTaskProcessEvaluationConclusionCredits

7. Evaluation Title PageIntroductionTitle PageIntroduction Task Process EvaluationConclusionCreditsTaskProcessEvaluationConclusionCredits CATEGORY4321 Content - AccuracyAll facts in the information sheet are accurate, and all categories are represented. 99-90% of the facts in the information sheet are accurate. 89-80% of the facts in the information sheet are accurate. Fewer than 80% of the facts in the information sheet are accurate. Writing - GrammarThere are no grammatical mistakes in the information sheet. There are no grammatical mistakes in the information sheet after feedback from an adult. There are 1-2 grammatical mistakes in the information sheet even after feedback from an adult. There are several grammatical mistakes in the information sheet even after feedback from an adult. Graphics/PicturesGraphics go well with the text and there is a good mix of text and graphics. Graphics go well with the text, but there are so many that they distract from the text. Graphics go well with the text, but there are too few and the brochure seems "text-heavy". Graphics do not go with the accompanying text or appear to be randomly chosen. Attractiveness & OrganizationThe information sheet has exceptionally attractive formatting and well-organized information. The information sheet has attractive formatting and well-organized information. The information sheet has well- organized information. The information sheet's formatting and organization of material are confusing to the reader.

8. Conclusion As a result of your virtual traveling you have obtained a wealth of knowledge about the biomes of the world in which you live. As a group you have discovered for yourselves what life is like in the seven biomes around the world. Be sure to read through the tour books of the other groups in the class, because someone else may have found an interesting fact that you did not see. Look for opportunities to travel virtually to learn more about your world. Title PageIntroductionTitle PageIntroduction Task Process EvaluationConclusionCreditsTaskProcessEvaluationConclusionCredits