Naturalist's View of 

Rocky Mountain National Park

A WebQuest for 7th Grade (Outdoor Education)

Designed by Mrs. Schaffer and Mr. Williams  

June 13, 2001

Introduction

 A naturalist's job is to observe and record an assigned environment by getting up close and personal with nature.  This year as a naturalist, you will study three different state and national parks.  Before you visit the parks, you must have some background knowledge of the environments. As naturalists, you will form a small group and gather  data before you actually visit your first site, Rocky Mountain National Park.    

The Task 

 As a naturalist you must prepare for your group's visit to Rocky Mountain National Park.  This web quest will assist you in gaining background knowledge for seven different areas inside of Rocky Mountain N.P.  Each member of your group will become an expert on two of the sites.  After becoming an expert each member will share their information with you, as you complete the first two parts of the Naturalist's guide.  You will complete the third part of the guide when you visit the park.  When you return from RMNP, you will create a naturalist's guide of the park for 6th graders to read.   

The Process 

Remember you only have two class periods to meet with your assigned group and complete the following steps:  

1).  First, you will need to complete the left side of the Naturalist's guide - "What Do I Already Know".

2.)  Then, share what you "Already Know" about each location in Rocky Mountain National Park with the members of your group.

3.) Next, Choose two locations that you are willing to research and report your findings.  Each member of your group will have at least two locations to research (remember to choose different locations so all the locations are researched). 

4.) You are ready to start your webquest! Using the Rocky Mountain National Park resource find your locations and begin your research.  As you conduct your research, record your 5 new learnings on the second column of the worksheet - "What Did I Learn".  Remember your new learnings can come from both your readings and observations at the different web sites. 

5.)  After each member of your group has completed their research, you need to meet as a group so each member can report his/her information to the other group members.  Each member should record this new information in the second column of the Naturalist's guide (Student Example). 

6.) STOP!  Think about what you have just learned and write your new learnings in your Naturalist's guide ("What Did I Learn").

7.) Your group needs to meet and decide if you want to continue with your assigned location that you had for the webquest or based on your new learnings pick a new area to observe.  

8.) Beside each location on the Naturalist's guide write the group member's name who will be responsible for that location's observations.  

9.) In your group meeting make predictions about what you believe, you will specifically see when you go to RMNP.

Evaluation

 

	Caveman-no evidence 1	Learning to be a Naturalist  2	Almost there Naturalist  3	RMNP Ranger 4
Colorado Language Arts State Standard  #5	Chart shows nothing-Blank spaces No Learnings	Chart has 4 of the 8 sites filled in using accurate information.  Little technology was used to find information Learnings are copied.	Chart has 6 of the 8 sites filled out using accurate information.  Some technology was used to find the information. Learnings are partially  in student's own words.	Chart has all 8 sites filled out using  accurate information.  Some technology was used to find the information. Learnings are completely in student's own words

 

Conclusion

Students will have increased their background knowledge about Rocky Mountain National Park and will apply that knowledge to an up-close and personal visit.

  Based on a template from The WebQuest Page