Introduction 

This lesson was developed in partial fulfillment of the requirements established by Dr. Nan Adams and Dr. Joe Bitner in the Master's of Technology Program at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana.  It was designed through the combined efforts of Connie McNabb, library media specialist, and Kevin Sykes, biology teacher.  

The webquest is designed to provide students with an understanding of the 6 Kingdoms of Life.  

Learners 

This lesson is designed for students in Biology I and involves some composition skills, language arts skills, knowledge of word processing, research skills, and collaboration skills.  This lesson could easily be extended to additional grade levels and science courses by choosing additional appropriate websites and altering activities. 

Learners will need to know basic computer skills, such as how to use the Internet and should be able to work collaboratively with each other to produce the finished product.  

Curriculum Standards 

These standards and benchmarks are adopted by the Louisiana State Board of Education.  Students will meet the standards and benchmarks listed below during this webquest.  

Standards addressed by this webquest cover many subject areas.  As the instructor, you can add more standards that are not addressed here, but may apply.  

Skills encouraged by this lesson:  inference making, critical thinking, thinking outside the box (answers are not obvious) creative problem solving, observation and categorization skills, comparison, and teamwork.  

Visit your state's  existing standards if you want to add your own standards met by this webquest.  For example:  

Biology Standards Addressed 

• The students will become aware of the characteristics and life cycles of organisms and understand their relationships to each other and to their environment. 

LS-H-C4 Classifying organisms (1,2,3,4) 
LS-H-C5 Distinguishing among the kingdoms (1,3,4) 

Other Benchmarks Addressed 

ELA-1-H5 Using the various purposes for reading (e.g., enjoying, learning, researching, problem solving) to complete complex projects.  (1,2,4) 

ELA-2-H3 Applying the steps of the writing process, emphasizing, revising and editing in final drafts. (1,4) 

ELA-3-H2 Using the grammatical and mechanical conventions of standard English; (1,4,5) 

ELA-4-H6 participating in a variety of roles in group discussion (1,4,5) 

ELA-5-H4 Using available technology to produce, revise, and publish a variety of works. (1,3,4) 

ELA-7-E1 Using comprehension strategies (e.g., sequencing, predicting, drawing conclusions, comparing and contrasting, making inferences, determining main ideas) in contexts. (1,2,4) 

Process 

The Kingdom of Life webquest is designed to be completed in a minimum of 5-6 class periods.  Since the webquest is designed in 6 Phases, the teacher may choose to study one kingdom at a time and  extend the webquest over a long period of time.   It may also be assigned and completed as one assignment over a shorter amount of time.   It is anticipated that it will take at least 6 class periods to complete the research activities.  Out of class assignments may be given as desired to reduce the amount of class time required for this project.  

1. First  assign students to a team of 2-3 students.  Since one of the team roles involving drawing, try to put a student who has good drawing skills in each group.  You may allow them to decide who will assume each role for this project.  Click on the following roles for more information and a description of the requirements for each: Architect, Journalist, Web Designer, Powerpoint Specialist,  Presenter
2. Using the  Research Worksheet to guide their research and to record  information about each kingdom, students will search the Kingdom of Life Websites  and any other available library resources for required information about each kingdom.   Students will need  copies of the Research Worksheet so that they can supply the necessary information.   Teachers may choose to distribute printed copies of the worksheet before students begin the webquest or allow the students to print out their own copies as needed.
3. Monitor the group activities to verify that everyone in the group is participating in the research process for that kingdom.  Students should  discuss the research findings and agree on the information.  Encourage collaboration among research  teams so that information can be revised and combined as needed.
4. After the research team has completed the worksheet, it is time to assume individual team roles and complete the requirements for each chosen role. 
5. Upon completing all research activities, research teams should prepare a formal presentation incorporating one of the following options:  (1) a  Powerpoint presentation, (2) an informational pamphlet,  (3) a website, or (4)  a drawing or model of the theme park which includes each of the kingdoms of life 

 

This webquest may be completed entirely in-class or parts of the webquest requirements may be assigned as homework.  Students may be expected to conduct individual research on all of the kingdoms, or team members may be allowed to choose which kingdoms to research.  One advantage of this  webquest is it's adaptability.     

Resources Needed 

To implement this lesson, you may need: 

• Class sets of books
• Access to word processing software 
• Access to Powerpoint 
• Accessibility to computers with Internet access (one per student would be ideal)
• Printer
• Optional reference materials in the classroom or school library
• List of Websites  that will be used

Evaluation 

1.  Students will be assessed on the progress of their research according to the Rubric and the due dates posted.   
2.  Students should turn in the Research Worksheet for each kingdom.  
3.  Students are to prepare one of the following:  (1) an informational pamphlet for each of the kingdoms.  (2) a Powerpoint presentation,  (3) a website, or (4) a drawing or model of the park. 
4.  Although students will be working as a team, individual grades may easily be assigned. 

This webquest is an interesting way for students to learn about the six main groups or kingdoms that scientists use to classify all living things.  Students will be more engaged in the learning process as they participate in this constructivist learning activity and learn more about the six kingdoms,  the scientific names for the species, the habitats and the major characteristics of each group,  as well as know a few examples from each kingdom.   They are also able to use their creative talents in producing a pamphlet, a website, a Powerpoint presentation, or a drawing or model of the kingdoms. 

Credits & References