WebQuery

Ecosystem Hierarchy  A WebQuery for 4th-5th GradersDesigned by
Jamie Koenig
koenigj@cwu.edu 

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Introduction 

Your family is considering moving to a new place. Before deciding where to move your parents want you to do a little research into a specific area and find out about the other animals that live in that ecosystem. You have already learned that both plants and animals make up ecosystems and depend on each other to survive. You will use your understanding of these dynamics to create a visual representation of a food wed.

 

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Task

Your task is to pick an area you might like to live and figure out what other organisms live there and develop a food web to help you identify the other living things in the area. You can create the food web however you choose as long as the chains order is clearly defined.

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The Process

• To begin this project you must first choose a location to research. You may have a region in mind, or you  might want to look here at different types of habitats. Make sure any location you pick as plenty of animals (see rubric). WARNING: Please do not pick an urban habitat.

• After choosing your location you will need to make a list of the major organisms in that ecosystem.You will need to know if organisms are produces, consumers, or decomposes. You will be able to find this information linked into the resources section of this WebQuery.

• You may use any other resources you find, but be aware of the credibility of the resources you use.

• Make sure to take a look at the rubric below to see what I will be looking for in your final project 

Required Elements 

Your food web must include at least the fallowing:

• 2 producers
• 4 consumers
• 1 decomposer 

You may have more than each of the proceeding, but not less.

Each item on you food web should include a color representation of the organism and be labeled correctly.

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Resources

Habitats- National Geographic
Food Chains & Food Webs
Woodland Park Zoo
Animal Facts

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Evaluation

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Required Elements	The web includes all required elements as well as additional information.	All required elements are included on the web.	All but 1 of the required elements are included on the web.	Several required elements were missing.
Labels	All items of importance on the web are clearly labeled with labels that can be read from at least 3 ft. away.	Almost all items of importance on the web are clearly labeled with labels that can be read from at least 3 ft. away.	Several items of importance on the web are clearly labeled with labels that can be read from at least 3 ft. away.	Labels are too small to view OR no important items were labeled.
Attractiveness	The web is exceptionally attractive in terms of design, layout, and neatness.	The web is attractive in terms of design, layout and neatness.	The web is acceptably attractive though it may be a bit messy.	The web is distractingly messy or very poorly designed. It is not attractive.
Graphics - Relevance	All graphics are related to the topic and make it easier to understand. All borrowed graphics have a source citation.	All graphics are related to the topic and most make it easier to understand. All borrowed graphics have a source citation.	All graphics relate to the topic. Most borrowed graphics have a source citation.	Graphics do not relate to the topic OR several borrowed graphics do not have a source citation.

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Conclusion

Congratulations on the completion of this WebQuery! You now have an understanding of the hierarchy in an specific ecosystem. Do you think this is a good place to live?