Shark Search

a WebQuest for Fifth Grade Science

by Martha McIntyre

Introduction | Task | Resources | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion

Introduction

The Shark

 

He has great strength.

Because of his strength,

we call him dangerous.

 

He is intelligent.

Because he is intelligent,

we call him cunning.

 

He is an excellent hunter.

Because he is an excellent hunter,

we call him a killer.

 

We don't really understand the shark.

Because we don't understand sharks,

we have become more of an enemy to him

than he is to us.

 

by Leslie Tryon

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The Task

You have been asked by the Santa Barbara Sea Center to choose a shark for the new shark exhibit. You must quickly become an expert on sharks, so that you can:

• Pass the marine biology exam on sharks
• Select a shark
• Persuade the selection committee to choose your shark
• Tell the sea center how to create a healthy habitat for that shark

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Resources

• Vancouver Aquarium
• Shark Facts
• National Geographic Safari
• Sea World Sharks
• Monterey Bay Aquarium
• World Wildlife Federation
• Nova
• Virtual Shark
• Shark Myths
• Sharks of Hawaii
• Shark Crossword Puzzle
• Whales
  

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The Process

1. Print a copy of the shark information worksheet.

2. Visit the various sites on the resource section to gather information about sharks. Fill out the worksheet as you discover facts about sharks.

3. Print a copy of the shark expert exam and take the test. Submit it to your teacher for grading.

4. Print a copy of the Venn Diagram and compare sharks to whales.

5. Print a copy of the My Shark Worksheet. Fill it out as you search for your shark choice.

6. Write a brief report about the shark you have chosen. Be sure to describe your shark using the information on the My Shark Worksheet.Write a persuasive concluding paragraph in which you try to convince the Sea Center to choose your shark for its exhibit.

Shark Information Worksheet

Shark Expert Exam

Venn Diagram

My Shark Worksheet

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Evaluation

You will be evaluated on the following:

1. Passing the shark expert test with a grade of 70% or better.

2. The Venn diagram comparing sharks to whales: you must have at least 5 facts in each of the three sections of the Venn diagram.

3. The report on the shark you chose:

• Did you include at least 12 of the important facts from the My Shark Worksheet?
• Did you illustrate your report?
• Do your sentences make sense?
• Did you use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation?
• Did your persuasive concluding paragraph have 5 good reasons why the Sea Center should choose your shark?
  
  

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Conclusion

You are now a fifth grade expert on sharks. Other students can go to you to find out specific information about your special shark.

A dark shape passes.

Hungry shark swims through the sea,

searching for dinner.

 

by Jo Ellen Moore

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