1. Exploring Ecosystems Welcome Introduction Tasks Process Step 1 Step 2
Resources
Description: This WebQuest is designed to allow students to explore different ecosystems and what makes each unique.
Grade Level: 3-5
Curriculum: Science
Author: Hayley Bunnell
Evaluation
Teacher’s page

2. Introduction
Welcome
Introduction
Tasks
Process
Have you ever wished to be a scientist who explores our world’s exciting ecosystems? What would a desert or rain forest be like? What plants and animals would live there? In this WebQuest you and your classmates are all scientists discovering our world’s ecosystems and what makes each unique. Let’s start exploring!
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Evaluation
Teacher’s page

3. Tasks
Welcome
In groups, you will learn about ecosystems and be assigned one of your own to research.
You will be given jobs as different kinds of scientists and you will be responsible for completing your individual research and worksheet.
We will learn about where these ecosystems are, what their climates are like, and what plants and animals live in them.
At the end of our exploration, each group will present their ecosystem to the rest of the scientific community (our class) on a poster or in a PowerPoint presentation.
When presentations are finished, we will complete a graphic organizer about the ecosystems we explored.
Introduction
Tasks
Process
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Evaluation
Teacher’s page

4. Step 1 General Exploration Process
Welcome
Step 1
Introduction
General Exploration
As a group, explore what an ecosystem is by clicking on the search icon above.
In your science notebooks, write 3 characteristics of ecosystems that you have learned in complete sentences.
Write down the name of your assigned ecosystem before moving on to Step 2.
Tasks
Process
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Evaluation
Teacher’s page

5. Step 2 Process Determine jobs and review responsibilities
Welcome
Step 2
Introduction
Determine jobs and review responsibilities
Each scientist in the group will be given a job to learn about a specific aspect of their ecosystem.
Jobs:
Geographer Meteorologist
Zoologist Botanist
Click on your job to review your duties and the fact sheet you will be responsible for completing and sharing with your group. Then move on to Step 3.
Tasks
Process
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Evaluation
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6. Step 3 Process Explore and Research
Welcome
Step 3
Introduction
Explore and Research
Click on your ecosystem to begin exploring!
Tasks
Process
Tropical Rainforest
Wetlands
Tundra
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Evaluation
Grasslands
Desert
Oceans (Marine)
Teacher’s page

7. Step 4 Process Group discussion and presentation development
Welcome
Step 4
Introduction
Group discussion and presentation development
When each individual scientist has completed his/her tasks, discuss as a group the different aspects of your ecosystem.
In your science notebook, write down 2 things you find interesting about each of the scientist’s research in complete sentences.
Decide as a group whether you will present your ecosystem as a poster or PowerPoint and begin working on it. This is where you will put together all of the information you have learned and present it to your fellow scientists. Click here for presentation directions.
Tasks
Process
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Evaluation
Teacher’s page

8. Step 5 Presentations Process
Welcome
Step 5
Introduction
Presentations
While other scientists make their presentations about their ecosystems, make a list of 10 new things you’ve learned in complete sentences in your science notebook.
Once all the presentations are finished, we will discuss some of the important parts of each ecosystem and complete the ecosystem organizer. Click here for the organizer.
Tasks
Process
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Evaluation
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9. Resources
Welcome
Internet resources for research are connected through the ecosystem links within Step 3.
Introduction
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Process
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Expanded reference list for all ecosystems and outside resources (for teacher use).
Teacher’s page

10. Resources Tropical Rainforests
Welcome
Welcome
Search through these internet sources to find all the pictures and information you need. Just click on the pictures or icons below!
Introduction
Introduction
Tasks
Task
Process
Step 1
Step 2
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Step 5
Resources
Evaluation
Teacher’s page
When you’re done exploring, move on to Step 4.

11. Resources
Grasslands
Welcome
Welcome
Search through these internet sources to find all the pictures and information you need. Just click on the pictures or icons below!
Introduction
Introduction
Tasks
Task
Process
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Resources
Evaluation
Teacher’s page
When you’re done exploring, move on to Step 4.

12. Resources
Deserts
Welcome
Welcome
Search through these internet sources to find all the pictures and information you need. Just click on the pictures or icons below!
Introduction
Introduction
Tasks
Task
Process
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Resources
Evaluation
Teacher’s page
When you’re done exploring, move on to Step 4.

13. Resources
Wetlands
Welcome
Welcome
Search through these internet sources to find all the pictures and information you need. Just click on the pictures or icons below!
Introduction
Introduction
Tasks
Task
Process
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Resources
Evaluation
Teacher’s page
When you’re done exploring, move on to Step 4.

14. Resources
Tundra
Welcome
Welcome
Search through these internet sources to find all the pictures and information you need. Just click on the pictures or icons below!
Introduction
Introduction
Tasks
Task
Process
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Resources
Evaluation
Teacher’s page
When you’re done exploring, move on to Step 4.

15. Resources Oceans (Marine)
Welcome
Welcome
Search through these internet sources to find all the pictures and information you need. Just click on the pictures or icons below!
Introduction
Introduction
Tasks
Task
Process
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Resources
Evaluation
Teacher’s page
When you’re done exploring, move on to Step 4.

16. This is how your work will be graded.
Evaluation
Welcome
This is how your work will be graded.
Your individual job worksheets will be graded on completion. Make sure you have all the information filled out on you fact sheets scientists!
Your presentation needs to follow the guidelines presented in Step 4. Each student will be responsible for their part of the presentation.
Click here to see the official grading rubric.
Introduction
Tasks
Process
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Evaluation
Teacher’s page

17. Exploring Ecosystems WebQuest
Teacher’s Page
Welcome
Exploring Ecosystems WebQuest
This WebQuest is designed to allow students to explore ecosystems and what makes each unique.
It employs group participation while encouraging independent work and understanding.
Intended grade level: 3-5.
CORE Standards
Lesson Plan
Introduction
Tasks
Process
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Resources
Evaluation
Teacher’s page