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This WebQuest was created following Missouri's eMINTS standards. You are welcome to adapt this WebQuest to meet the needs of your students, however please contact me and let me know of any changes you will be making or any questions you might have.
"The Pumpkin Patch Problem" is created for third grade students in the state of MIssouri. Students will be able to identify the basic needs for pumpkin survival, pumpkin life cycle, and the different structures that serve simliar functions necessary for the survival of the organism. In this WebQuest, students will be working in cooperative groups to write Farmer Brown a letter identifying why his pumpkin patch is not producing pumpkins, and their steps in solving this problem.
Standards
Science:
Strand 3.1.A: Organisms have basic needs for survival.
Strand 3.1.B: Organisms progress through life cycles that are unique to different types of organisms.
Strand 3.1.D: Plants and animals have different structures that serve similar functions necessary for the survival of the organism.
Technology:
3. Research and Information Fluency
Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. Students:
b. locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.
4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources. Students:
a. identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigation.
b. plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project.
c. collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions.
Strand 3.1.A: Organisms have basic needs for survival.
Strand 3.1.B: Organisms progress through life cycles that are unique to different types of organisms.
Strand 3.1.D: Plants and animals have different structures that serve similar functions necessary for the survival of the organism.
Technology:
3. Research and Information Fluency
Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. Students:
b. locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.
4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources. Students:
a. identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigation.
b. plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project.
c. collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions.
Instructions for Implementation
Students will need prior knowledge on how to write friendly letters and how to use the Internet application Lino. These are the two important components that will create a successful outcome.
When grouping students, it is important to group them by ability level. This will allow equal participation and collaboration.
When grouping students, it is important to group them by ability level. This will allow equal participation and collaboration.
Resources
StudentText Based Resources"The Pumpkin Book" by Gail Gibbons
"It's a Fruit, It's a Vegetable, It's a Pumpkin" by Allan Fowler "From Seed to Pumpkin" by Jan Kottke "Pumpkin Harvest" by Calvin Harris "Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie" by Jill Esbaum Online Resources |
Teacher |
Assessment Plan
Before- KWL Chart
- Questioning - Collaboration Rubric |
During- Checklist for note-taking
- Collaboration Rubric |
After- Final Letter Rubric
* Letter Format * Knowledge of Pumpkins ~ life cycle ~ basic needs of survival ~ major organs * Problem identified * Solution suggested |