Introduction

An Insect's Perspective

A Science WebQuest for Grade 3

Original created by Ginger Tyson

Edited by Susan Brooks

Introduction

Help! My friend, the bee, saw the notice on the refrigerator. The exterminator is coming to the house Thursday to kill us all!

Why would anyone want to kill insects? How can we convince the exterminator to stop killing us? Will you help on this mission? Will you help save us?

Your Tasks

1. Choose an insect for your team.

2. Research your insect. Keep notes in your insect journal.

3. Create a 3 slide presentation on your insect from the insect's point of view including 5 or more facts with graphics and present it to classmates

4. Create a Venn Diagram with another team comparing the two insects and present it to your classmates.

5. Compose a letter to the exterminator to help save your insect's life and share it with your class.

Process

STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Step 1: Choose an insect.

Your team will have 3 members.

Come to a consensus as to which insect your team wishes to learn about.

ant cockroach bee termite

Step 2: Research your insect.

Write down your findings in your journal. You may use your science book as another resource for information and word definitions.

Find out

Habitat -Where does it live?

Diet - What does it eat?

Lifespan - How long does it live?

How it is helpful or necessary to the environment?

How it is harmful?

Research the carpenter ant. Research the bee.

Research the cockroach. Research the dry wood termite.

Step 3: Create your presentation.

Create 3 slides in PowerPoint from your insect's point of view. Include 5 facts about your insect and graphics. Be creative on style of presentation. Some facts to be included may be:

Where do you live?

Are you needed by humans and the environment?

What is your diet?

What is your lifespan?

What is an interesting or unusual fact about yourself?

You will be assigned a day to present your findings to the class

Step 4: Create a Venn Diagram

Your teacher will select another team to work with you. Create a Venn Diagram comparing your insects. You may make your Venn on the computer, or draw it on paper. Some things you may wish to compare are:

Ways of Helpfulness
Way of Being Harmful
Lifespan and Diet
Physical Differences

You will be assigned a day to present your findings to your class.

Step 5: Compose a team letter.

On a word processor, create the letter you will be sending to the exterminator including in your letter the habitat, reasons to save the insect and a picture of your insect.

Your team will be assigned a day to present your letter to the class.

Evaluation- PowerPoint Presentation

Category 4 points 3 points 2 points 1 point 0 points

Participation

All group members took part and each person was fully prepared.

Most of the group participated, one person was there but did not participate.

Two people shared responsibility for the presentation. The other group members were present, but did not participate.

One person gave the entire presentation. Other group members were present, but did not take part in the report.

No oral class report was given

Factual content

All information used presented was accurate and all 5 facts were discussed

All information used presented was accurate and 4 facts were discussed

Facts were introduced briefly and 3 questions were discussed

Facts were used and less than three questions were discussed

Nothing was presented.

Graphic Images

Each of the slides were supported with one or more relevant images from the Internet.

Two of the slides supported with one or more relevant images from the Internet.

One of the slides was supported with one or more relevant images from the Internet.

Images were used, but not relevant to the topic

No images were shown.

Character Viewpoint

Stays in character, presenting from the insect's perspective during full presentation

Stays in character,presenting from the insect's perspective 75% of the presentation

Stays in character,presenting from the insect's perspective 50% of the presentation

Stays in character,presenting from the insect's perspective less than 25% of the presentation

Not presented from insect's perspective.

Venn Diagram Rubric

Category

Exemplary

4

Accomplished

3

Developing

2

Beginning

1

Score

Content

Students can accurately demonstrate 7 or 8 differences and similarities and places them accurately on diagram

Students can accurately demonstrate 5 or 6 differences and similarities and places them accurately on diagram

Students can accurately demonstrate 3 or 4 differences and similarities and places them accurately on diagram

Students can accurately demonstrate 1 or 2 differences and similarities and places them accurately on diagram

Visual Appeal

The selection of graphics, line styles, and arrangement options enhances the layout and meaning of the diagram. Neat and colorful

The selection of graphics, line styles and arrangement options enhances the layout of the diagram. Neat but not colorful

The selection of graphics enhances the layout of the diagram. Some confusion in line connections and arrangement of information

No graphics Not neat or colorful.

Category	Exemplary 4	Accomplished 3	Developing 2	Beginning 1	Score
Content	Students can accurately demonstrate 7 or 8 differences and similarities and places them accurately on diagram	Students can accurately demonstrate 5 or 6 differences and similarities and places them accurately on diagram	Students can accurately demonstrate 3 or 4 differences and similarities and places them accurately on diagram	Students can accurately demonstrate 1 or 2 differences and similarities and places them accurately on diagram
Visual Appeal	The selection of graphics, line styles, and arrangement options enhances the layout and meaning of the diagram. Neat and colorful	The selection of graphics, line styles and arrangement options enhances the layout of the diagram. Neat but not colorful	The selection of graphics enhances the layout of the diagram. Some confusion in line connections and arrangement of information	No graphics Not neat or colorful.

Persuasive Letter Rubric

3 Points 2 Points 1 Point

Focus
Purpose clearly stated, letter stays on focus

Issue is clear, letter doesn't stay focused.

Issue is confusing, insufficient writing

Support
All reasons supported by facts for each statement

Few reasons supported by facts for statements

No support, insufficient writing.

Organization
All parts of the letter are written correctly, proper paragraph form,

One or two missing letter form components, major points not correctly paragraphed

Three or more missing letter components ,confusing, little paragraph use, insufficient writing

Conventions
Words spelled correctly, correct punctuation, few errors

Words correctly capitalized,less than three punctuation errors

Misspelled words, more than four errors in grammar, error in sentence structure

Integration
Fully developed, clear focus, good details, final copy typed correctly

Partially developed, slightly difficult to understand,final copy typed

Does not cover topic, insufficient writing, final copy not typed

Conclusion

Now you see how helpful insects can be to you. Next time you see a bee or a cockroach outside, don't be an exterminator. Tell your friends what these insects do to help you and your environment. Talk to them about killing insects who live outside if you see them stepping on one for no reason. Show the world that insects and people can live together.

Credits

Thanks to Ginger Tyson for allowing me to use and edit her WebQuest .

Category	4 points	3 points	2 points	1 point	0 points
Participation	All group members took part and each person was fully prepared.	Most of the group participated, one person was there but did not participate.	Two people shared responsibility for the presentation. The other group members were present, but did not participate.	One person gave the entire presentation. Other group members were present, but did not take part in the report.	No oral class report was given
Factual content	All information used presented was accurate and all 5 facts were discussed	All information used presented was accurate and 4 facts were discussed	Facts were introduced briefly and 3 questions were discussed	Facts were used and less than three questions were discussed	Nothing was presented.
Graphic Images	Each of the slides were supported with one or more relevant images from the Internet.	Two of the slides supported with one or more relevant images from the Internet.	One of the slides was supported with one or more relevant images from the Internet.	Images were used, but not relevant to the topic	No images were shown.
Character Viewpoint	Stays in character, presenting from the insect's perspective during full presentation	Stays in character,presenting from the insect's perspective 75% of the presentation	Stays in character,presenting from the insect's perspective 50% of the presentation	Stays in character,presenting from the insect's perspective less than 25% of the presentation	Not presented from insect's perspective.