The Rainforest Rummage
An Internet WebQuest on The Rainforest

Created by Heather Yarborough, Jennifer Bogacki and Emily Nepple
College of Saint Mary

Introduction | The Task | The Process & Resources | Conclusion | Dictionary.com

Introduction

SAVE THE RAINFOREST! You and three of your friends have been called upon by the animals of the rainforest to help save their home. You have 4 weeks to complete this mission. Should you fail the animals could become homeless.

The Quest

As a group your task will be to collect enough information to put together a presentation in order to convince your fellow classmates to save the rainforest.

The Process and Resources

You will use the internet and other various sources in order to find out as much information as possible about the rainforest. Remember, you will want pictures, facts, and other important information that you feel will help make your presentation more convincing. The more details you have, the more convincing you will be. The main question everyone will be asking themselves is why should we care? Your presentation should completely answer this question.

Phase 1 - Background: Something for Everyone

Use the Internet information linked below to answer the basic questions of who? what? where? when? why? and how? Be creative in exploring the information so that you answer these questions the best you can.

·         About Rainforests - Information about the rainforest

·         Rainforest Destruction - Shows where the most destruction taking place is.

Phase 2 - Looking Deeper from Different Perspectives

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Individuals from your larger WebQuest team will explore one of the roles below.

2. Read through the files linked to your group. If you print out the files, underline the passages that you feel are the most important. If you look at the files on the computer, copy sections you feel are important by dragging the mouse across the passage and copying / pasting it into a word processor or other writing software.

3. Note: Remember to write down or copy/paste the URL of the file you take the passage from so you can quickly go back to it if you need to prove your point.

4. Be prepared to focus what you've learned into one main opinion that answers the Big Question or Task based on what you have learned from the links for your role.

Geography Expert

The geography expert needs to focus on:

1. Where in the world are the rainforests are located and what is the climate? (include precipitation, temperature, humidity, etc.)
2. How long has the rainforest been around?
3. How long have people been destroying the rainforest?
4. How long does it take to destroy a section of the rainforest?
5. Describe the different layers of the rainforest.

·         Deforestation in Costa Rica - the truth about deforestation

·         Rainforest Maps - Different maps showing where the rainforests are in the world.

·         Climate of the Tropical Rainforest - Describes the climate and its effects.

Plant Expert

The plant expert needs to focus on:

1. What plants grow in the rainforest and which layer to they grow in, and which ones are strictly native?
2. What is the importance of these plants?
3. How do the plants affect the animals?
4. How long does it take to re-grow a section of destroyed rainforest to the way it was?
5. Are there any plants that have become extinct or are in danger of becoming extinct?

·         Rainforest Biomes - Information about the plants of the rainforest

·         Rainforest Plants - Different plants of the rainforest and facts about them.

·         The plants of the rainforest - Information about different plants found in the rainforest.

Animal Expert

The animal expert will focus on:

1. What kind of animals live in the rainforest?
2. Which layer do these animals live in?
3. Describe what the animals eat and their predators.
4. What happens to the animals from destroying the rainforest?
5. Describe the types of endangered animals and why they are endangered.

·         Rainforest Animals - Information on the animals in the rainforest

·         More Rainforest Animals - Information about the animals that live in the rainforest

·         Rainforest Animals - Lists different animals and facts about them

Preservation Expert

The preservation expert will focus on?

1. Describe what has been done in the past to save the rainforest.
2. Describe what is being done today to save the rainforest.
3. What things do you think could or should be done to save the rainforest?
4. What happens to animals that get hurt during rainforest destruction?
5. How does the rainforest affect people who do not live there?

·         7 Things You Can Do - things you can do to save the rainforest

·         Kids Saving the Rainforest - Lists reasons why we should save the rainforest.

·         Help Save the Rainforest - Information about the rainforest

·         Rates of Rainforest Destruction - Facts on where the most destruction is taking place.

Phase 3 - Debating, Discussing, and Reaching Consensus

You have all learned about different parts of The Rainforest. Now group members come back to the larger WebQuest team with expertise gained by searching from one perspective. You must all now answer the Task / Question as a group. Each of you will bring a certain viewpoint to the answer: some of you will agree and others disagree. Use information, pictures, movies, facts, opinions, etc. from the WebPages you explored to convince your teammates that your viewpoint is important and should be part of your team's answer to the Task / Question. Your Web Quest team should write out an answer that everyone on the team can live with.

Phase 4 - Real World Feedback

You and your teammates have learned a lot by dividing up into different roles. If you have any questions or can not find the information you need email Jennifer and she will help you out. Before sending the email gather your thoughts and plan out exactly what you want to ask.
1. Decide on the question to be asked.
2. Double check to make sure you do not know the answer.
3. Ask fellow group/teammates first.
4. Contact Jennifer
Don't forget to include any information learned in your final project.

Your Contact is: Jennifer

Conclusion

So did you save the rainforest and the home of so many plants, people, and animals? By now you have become an expert on the rainforest and you can help to educate other people using the knowledge you have gained. Lets get the world in on saving the rainforest!

Rubric

Contact Emily