Animals!

Pennsylvania Animals (Vertebrates) Web Quest

Designed by Mr. Jansen

                                  

                            

~ Click here for a printable version ~

Introduction:

Scientists classify objects into different categories for many different reasons. Living animals are groups into two very different categories. Animals with backbones are called vertebrates. Of all the kinds of animals only 5% are vertebrates; the others are invertebrates. Invertebrates are those animals without backbones. Within the vertebrate group, there are five sub-groups which include fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Pennsylvania has an abundance of all these catagories.

Task:

You are Ace Ventura, Pet Detective. You have been summoned by the President of the Pennsylvania Animals Federation (PAF). You have been asked to determine in each of the five categories for vertebrates which is the most interesting animal found in Pennsylvania. He needs to know each of the animals habitat and other general information. You are to submit your determinations to the President within in the next three weeks by making a presentation.

Before you can present your information to the president, you will need to begin by looking into the characteristics of the five sub groups of vertebrates. Then, you will need to list five animals in each category. How will you find all of this information? Think of all the resources that we have available in our own Agency (HFS). We have located on the bookshelves many animal books. The Agency also has a Technology lab.  After making your decision on the most interesting animal in each category, you will need to present the information to the President of the PAF. How will you present this information? Through a Power Point a slideshow. Remember, the President will want to see and hear a professional-looking project which includes information supporting your decisions and will most likely want to see the animal is some way, shape, or form.

  Resources:

**The Agency (a.k.a our School) has many sources available. Please do not forget to look at books as a source of information. Encyclopedias, animal books, and Pennsylvania magazines will offer a wealth of information. 

Check out these websites for information:

 http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/vertebrates.htm This website includes the classifications of vertebrates and the definitions of each group of vertebrates.

http://www.fish.state.pa.us/  Links to PA fishes

PA Game Commision WILD Life notes  Links to PA animals

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/coloring/vertebrates.shtml Included on this website are worksheets and information on vertebrates.

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/pndi/pndiweb.htm The Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) conducts inventories of animal species of special concern, rare and exemplary natural communities, and outstanding geologic features.

http://www.endangeredspecie.com/states/pa.htm Pennsylvania has 17 threatened and endangered plant and animal species.

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/natural/naturalareas.htm The Natural Areas program for state parks complements the Bureau of Forestry's Natural and Wild Area program.

http://sln.fi.edu/tfi/hotlists/animals.html This site has vertebrates alphabetically indexed for your review.

http://sunsite.ee/animals/selgro.htm This website gives a general introduction to vertebrates.

http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/sirrobhitch.suffolk/invert/inverteb.htm This is the a page of resources available for researching invertebrates. It also includes a definition of an invertebrate.

http://www.umesci.maine.edu/ams/inverts.htm This is a comprehensive list of invertebrates.

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/invertebrates/index.shtml Included on this website are worksheets and information on invertebrates.

Additional Resources on-line:

 

  Process:

 In order to complete this task, you will need to do several things (include these in your presentation).

  • Determine the definition for what is a vertebrate .
  • Begin researching, for your presentation, the 5 sub-groups of vertebrates. You should note the common characteristics associated with each group.
  • Within each sub-group, choose the animal that you believe is the most interesting. Take notes as to what you liked about this animal. Include in your notes information such as habitat, food sources, birth, growth of the animal, and location of its' environment.
  • Make sure that you acquire a picture of the animal that you have chosen. 
  • Decide how you are going to present this information. 
  • You will need to prepare an oral section of the presentation. You can record your words and put them into the slide show. Keep in mind that this is a persuasive speech in which you are attempting to persuade the President of the Pennsylvania Animals Federation to believe in your selections as the most interesting animals.

  Evaluation:

You will be evaluated in three different areas:

Collaborative Work Skills: Because you will be working cooperatively with others during your research, your skills will be evaluated. Print out a copy of the rubric for Collaborative Work Skills  

 

Oral Presentation: Your presentation will be evaluated in several areas. Your presentation is a basically a persuasive speech. Please look at the different areas on this rubric. Print out the Oral Presentation Rubric  

 

Multimedia Project: Your visual aid will be evaluated based upon the rubric.  Click here

 Conclusion:

Understanding that scientists have classified animals into two groups based upon whether or not they have a backbone is very important. Vertebrates (animals with backbones) have five sub-groups. Within each of these sub-groups, the animals have many of the same traits and characteristics. Pennsylvania has animals from all these categories within its borders.

Congratulations!!!

You have completed the task that the President of the Wild About Animals Federation had requested of you. You are off, Ace, on another wild and wacky animal adventure!!! We look forward to working with you again.