The Watery World of Pets

A WebQuest for K-2 Science



Introduction | Tasks | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Advice


Introduction:

Your class is choosing a new pet.  It must be a very special pet, however, because it must live in water.  Your job is to help your class choose which aquatic pet it will have and where the pet will live.  Use the activities in this WebQuest to learn more about aquatic pets.

The Tasks:

To make the best decision about which aquatic pet you will choose, you will explore several topics.  To learn more about aquatic pets you will:
Identify the elements aquatic pets need to live.
Describe four aquatic pets.
Choose your favorite aquatic pet.
Tell why it is your favorite aquatic pet.
Design an aquarium and choose the animals to live in it.
Explain how the care of your aquatic pet will be funded.

The Process:

Are you ready to learn more about different cool pets?  Use these activities to discover which aquatic pet you like best.
 
1.  Turtles are reptiles that sometimes live in water.  They may be kept as pets.  Aquatic turtles need water to live in and food to eat.  To learn more about turtles as pets have an adult read this information to you.  The red eared slider is the most popular aquatic turtle to own.  View a photograph of this creature and read more about it.
2.  Aquatic crabs can make good pets.  View a photograph of a fiddler crab and discover more about the care of these aquatic pets.  Learn more about fiddler and red claw crabs and their care.
3.  Fish are probably the most common aquatic pets.  Goldfish are very popular.  Learn more about goldfish as pets and view photographs of goldfish.  Play a goldfish game with your computer mouse.  Also determine which goldfish is not like the others with the "Gone Fishin'" game.
4.  Tropical fish are also another popular aquatic pet to care for.  They are very beautiful and colorful. View photos and information on different tropical fish. Color a tropical fish at an interactive web site or print it to color later.  Play a sea shapes game featuring the rainbow fish.
5.  Aquatic animals live in aquariums.  View an animated aquarium on-line, and design a virtual aquarium using either goldfish or tropical fish.  Read frequently asked questions and answers about aquariums.
6.  So which aquatic pet would you choose?  Review steps one through five if you have not yet chosen your favorite aquatic pet.  After you have decided, draw a picture of your favorite one and take turns sharing with your class why it is your favorite.
7.  Now decide how much your pet and supplies will cost.  View prices of fish, crabs, and turtles at respective sites.  Also discuss with your teacher how you will pay for food for your pet.

The Evaluation:
 

Beginning

1

 Developing

2

 Accomplished

3

 Exemplary

4

 Score
Different Aquatic Pets
Student identifies and describes one aquatic pet.
Student identifies and describes two aquatic pets.
Student identifies and describes three aquatic pets.
Student identifies and describes four different aquatic pets.
  
Pet Care

 
Student explains that pets cannot live on their own.
Student explains an aquatic pet's needs of water and food. 
Student explains an aquatic pet's needs of water and food and explains that daily care is needed..
Student explains an aquatic pet's needs of water and food and identifies how he/she would care for an aquatic pet.
  

 

Favorite Pet
Student cannot identify his/her favorite aquatic pet, but can identify aquatic pets' names.
Student identifies his/her favorite aquatic pet, but cannot identify the reason. 
.Student identifies his favorite aquatic pet and draws a picture of it.
Student identifies his/her favorite aquatic pet, draws it,  and tells why it is his/her favorite aquatic pet.
  

Cost
Student explains that pets and their care cost money.
Student identifies the cost of his/her pet. 
Student identifies the cost of his/her favorite pet and explains that a way to fund the pet should be found.
Student identifies how much his/her favorite pet will cost and explains how the pet and supplies will be funded..
  
Computer Skills
Student can identify a computer monitor.
Student can identify the use of the mouse with movement on the computer monitor.
Student can use mouse to scroll, point, and click the mouse.
Student can use the mouse to scroll, click, and successfully complete coloring activity.
  

Conclusion:

If you have successfully completed this WebQuest, you should have discovered more about aquatic pets.  Congratulations!  Now you are ready to cast your vote for your class pet.

Credits & References:

Special thanks to NASA for the cool aquarium picture.  Also thank you to Amanda Pearcy, a great computer partner and study buddy..

Teacher Advice:

This lesson is designed for kindergarten through second grade Science.

Learners will need to be familiar with different types of animals, including fish, birds, and mammals prior to participating in this WebQuest.  Fine motor skills are used in this lesson for the maneuvering of the mouse during interactive coloring and games as well.

This lesson can be organized over a week, devoting one day to each of the four aquatic pets described. The final day may be devoted to the discussion of the favorite pet, a class vote, and how the pet and supplies will be funded.

Students will need an adult to assist them in the completion of WebQuest activities.  Parents, teachers, teacher's aids, or older students may help students read text and move through the WebQuest.  Even though assistance from adults is required for the completion of this WebQuest, students should still be encouraged to make choices throughout the WebQuest.

This WebQuest is simple enough for a novice teacher to use in the classroom.  It does not require experience in areas other than reading and navigation of the Internet.

Suggested culminating activities for this WebQuest include a field trip to a pet store, a field trip to an aquarium, or the actual implementation of the class pet of the students' choice.

Created for EDU 506 @ FHU School of Education by Mary McDaniel on July 31, 2001.