Teacher Notes 
Teacher Notes
Introduction: I developed this webquest for a Year 2 IT class in first term who are studying frogs with their class teacher. This is my first attempt at making a webquest. The children's skills at this level are limited, especially reading skills, but they are able to use a browser and print a webpage. I used a webquest format because one of the aims of this activity is to teach the children how to retrieve information & record it, as well as revise some of their computer skills from Year 1. This webquest is suitable for Years 2 to 4, but older children should be able to complete it with more independence.
Process: The children will be working in pairs. Because of their level of reading skills I anticipate that this activity will involve a fair degree of group reading & discussion. The steps are as follows:
1. Read the introduction. Discuss what they already know. The word "ecosystem" can be discussed & added to their word bank.
2. Read and discuss the task so they know exactly what is required to complete the tasks.
3. Print out the 2 page worksheet. Go through it with them so they understand it.
4. The children click on the link to find out what a frog is, then complete the sentence: "A frog is an amphibian. Amphibians are cold-blooded." The word "amphibian" can be added to their word bank.
5. They then click on the next link to find an interesting fact about frogs. This page allows them to explore with the browser to find out how interesting frogs are - there are lots of weird & wonderful facts here.
6. The next link involves the children retrieving information to complete their Life Cycle chart. They will probably need help with reading this information, but the illustrations on the chart are the same ones used on this webpage, so this should assist them in finding the right place.
7. The enemies of frogs are simply listed on the sheet, one line for each. This exposes the children to this Top Level Structure, as does the next link.
8. Listing the reasons the numbers of frogs may be declining will probably require quite a lot of teacher/class discussion to word the reasons more simply.
9. The children then decide from the next link page what they can do to help save frogs.
Evaluation: The children will evaluate their efforts using the rubrics on the form they are to print out. They will also choose the culminating activity they prefer.
Teacher evaluation can be done by means of this rubric.
Partner's Names:
| Participation | Partners Participate | Partners Co-operate |
| Thinking | Stay On Task | Discuss What Is Learned |
| Writing | Complete Written Activities | Use Appropriate Forms of Writing |
I also use a skills checklist that continues throughout the year. Please feel free to use it.
*The asterisks denote skills to be taught in Year 2.
Conclusion: I hope you find this Webquest a useful teaching tool, and that the children enjoy doing the tasks, as well as developing their thinking, writing and computer skills.
Credits:
Oz Webquests A great place to start learning about Webquests.
The links I have used on this page,
and most of the graphics are from this site - a great site for anyone who loves
frogs and wishes to learn more about them.
I obtained the animated graphics
from this site - great animations and indexed so they are easy to find.
