A Webquest for 2^nd Grade – Fish Habitats
Developed by: Winnie Carey
careyw@holliston.k12.ma.us
Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework – PreK-2

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Task

Your task is to develop a plan for the new Holliston Fish aquarium. There will be two fish tanks in the Aquarium; saltwater and freshwater. You must research and classify the different types of animals that live in each of theses habitats. You will then design one of the fish tanks for the Holliston Fish Aquarium. You have been studying about classification and animal habitats in class – so you should be an expert at researching by now!

You and two other students will research and design your aquarium using Kid Pix.

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Process

Step 1. You will be assigned to a group of three students.

Step 2. Your first job as a group is to classify the 15 animals listed below as Freshwater or Saltwater animals. Download and use the Classification worksheet to record your findings. Each student will be responsible for classifying 5 animals for your group. When you have classified your 5 animals, share your results with your group so that each person in your group has a completed Classification worksheet. Use the links below to research and classify your 5 animals:

Lobster	Elephant Seal
Spring Peeper	Snapping Turtle
Horseshoe Crab	Snail
Lanternfish	Clam
Crayfish	Goldfish
Lake Trout	Newt
Crab	Angelshark
Piranha

Step 3. Next you need to research animals for your fish tank. Your group will be assigned to either the Freshwater or Saltwater fish tank. As a group select three animals from the list above that match your group's habitat (freshwater or saltwater) to research. Each member of your group will be responsible for one of the animals. You must research the types of food and/or shelter that your animals will need to survive. Print a Something's Fishy Worksheet. Answer all of the questions on the worksheet. Click here and print out this worksheet to help you with your research.

Step 4. Next your group will design an aquarium . Using Kidpix each member of your group will create a slide which shows their animal and what its habitat looks like. Use the research you did to help decide what will be in your picture. I know you’ve had a lot of experience drawing with Kidpix so do your best work. As a group you may also decide to create a Title page for your slide show which has all three animals in it. After you have completed your slides your teacher will help you put them together in a slideshow.

Step 5. Last - your group will show your slideshow to the class. Each member of your group will describe their own slide. Remember to point out the interesting details you drew which help your animal in it's habitat.

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Evaluation

	Accomplished 4	Developing 2	Beginning 0
Writing Classification	I finished my Classification Worksheet. I shared my answers with my group	I classified some of the animals but not all of them. OR I didn't share my work with my group	I did not classify any animals
Writing (worksheet)	I finished my worksheet. I answered all of the questions in complete sentences. I drew a picture of my animal.	I finished some of my worksheet. I didn't answer all of the questions in full sentences	I did not complete my worksheet
Kidpix Slide	I completed my picture. I used many interesting details. I included information about the habitat of my fish. I did my best work.	I started a picture but didn't complete it. Or I didn't include all of the necessary details of my fish and it's habitat.	I didn't complete a picture.
Class Presentation	I presented my slide to the class. I described all of the interesting details about my animals habitat.	I presented my slide to the class. I didn't describe any of the details of my animal's habitat	I didn't present my slide to the class.
Group work	I cooperated with my group. I did all of the work that was expected of me, shared my research and offered my help to others in my group.	I worked with my group, but I didn't always do what was expected of me. At times I was uncooperative.	I didn't work well with my group
Total Score /20

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Teacher Resources

You may want to introduce the lesson by reading a book about fish. Here is a fun list below:

The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister

Rainbow Fish books written in Spanish by Gail Donovan

El Gran Tesoro
Puro Cuento

Fish is Fish By Leo Lionni

Here are some Other Fish Lesson plans and activities to supplement your unit:

Create a Pond online activity

Getting to Know You Activity Using the Rainbow Fish

The Weight of Water

The Water Cycle

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Standards

Massachusetts

Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework

Life Science (Biology), Grades PreK–2

Learning Standard	Ideas for Developing Investigations and Learning Experiences	Suggested Extensions to Learning in Technology/Engineering
		(Technology/Engineering standards for grades PreK–2 are on page 85.)
Living Things and Their Environment
1. Recognize that people and other animals interact with the environment through their senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste.	· Observe small animals in the classroom while they find food, water, shelter, etc. · Talk about how people use their senses every day.	Design and build an ant farm. Observe how ants use their senses and how they communicate to each other the location of a food source. (T/E 1.1, 1.2, 1.3)
2. Recognize changes in appearance that animals and plants go through as the seasons change.	Observe and record changes in plants (e.g., trees, flowers, grass) on the playground and around the school during fall, winter, and spring.	Visit a maple syrup manufacturing facility. Discuss the sap-to-maple syrup process and the seasonal life cycle of a tree. (T/E 1.1, 1.2)
3. Identify the ways in which an organism’s habitat provides for its basic needs (plants require air, water, nutrients, and light; animals require food, water, air, and shelter).	Create a garden habitat that will attract and provide shelter for birds and butterflies. Research and plant appropriate flowers.	Have students draw pictures of their houses and an animal’s habitat. Discuss differences and similarities (e.g., type of materials used to build each shelter). (T/E 1.3)

Ask questions about objects, organisms, and events in the environment.

· Tell about why and what would happen if?

· Make predictions based on observed patterns.

· Name and use simple equipment and tools (e.g., rulers, meter sticks, thermometers, hand lenses, and balances) to gather data and extend the senses.

· Record observations and data with pictures, numbers, or written statements.

· Discuss observations with others.

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Images courtesy of the following websites

Enchanted Learning

library.thinkquest.org/05aug/00332/serv03.htm

Standards

Massachusetts

Learning Standard