Who Gives A Hoot? - WebQuest
an extension activity for the novel Hoot, by Carl Hiaasen
by Jennifer Bernhard
jennifer.bernhard@clark.kyschools.us
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion l
Why should we give a hoot about endangered and threatened species in Kentucky? After all, there are no melting polar ice caps in Kentucky that are affecting the lives of Polar Bears; there’s no loss of the kind of habitat that Panda Bears need in our part of the world, and there aren’t even Burrowing Owls where we live like the ones in the novel Hoot. So, you may be wondering, what are our endangered and threatened species in Kentucky? And what are the reasons we should be concerned? Well, you are in luck because environmental agencies, such as the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, have prepared many valuable resources to inform its curious citizens just like you!
Through these resources, you will discover that as the human population of Kentucky has grown, its land has been changed. According to the KY Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, forests have been replaced with subdivisions; swamps have been drained for farms; rivers have been dammed to create reservoirs; and streams have been choked with silt from mining and logging operations. A few species have benefitted from these changes, but many more have declined. Kentucky has a growing number of species that are in trouble. Some plants and animals are being pushed to the very brink of extinction. For most of these species, there is still hope. By protecting the remaining habitats that these plants and animals need, we can ensure their survival. These plants and animals need YOU!
Your job is to research endangered and threatened species in Kentucky. You will be working as a team of three with another two other researchers to gather information for a report. You will present your final report to your Class Conservation Committee (CCC) to convince them that we need to give a hoot about an endangered or threatened species that you researched. With the help of the CCC, you will decide what we can do to make a difference.
1. You will be assigned to a team of three by your teacher:
|
Zoologist (animals), Environmentalist and Conservationist |
|
or |
|
Botanist (plants), Environmentalist and Conservationist |
You will find your researcher's notebook pages below. If you use your computer to make your notes, the boxes in the Word document will expand as you type.
| Zoologist | Environmentalist | Conservationist | Botanist |
2. Once you have been assigned to your team, you will start gathering your information and make notes as you go.
3. Click on the name of the endangered/threatened species below that your team has been assigned to research.
| Mammals/Bats | Fish & Cave Shrimp | Plants | Birds | Mussels |
4. Each resource describes more than one species that is either endangered or threatened. With your team, choose THREE that you want to report. Read the information carefully and makes notes in your researcher's notebook. Be sure to look for what your three species have in common and also any differences.
5. Now your team is ready to write the rough draft for your oral report/speech.
6. You will then finalize your report. Your teacher will tell you how much time you'll have to give your report to your classmates.
7. Finally, you will share your presentation with the CCC.
Your work with your team, the information you gathered and your presentation on your species will be evaluated by your teacher using these rubrics.
During your WebQuest, you have learned important information about an endangered or threatened species in Kentucky. How can you use the information gathered in your WebQuest to educate the public about species that are in danger of disappearing from Kentucky and why they should be concerned?
Government agencies and private conservation organizations are working to slow or reduce the loss of habitat in our state, but working alone cannot solve the problems facing wildlife today. All Kentuckians have a role to play in protecting our natural heritage. What will your role be?
Use the reflection sheet below to capture your thoughts and ideas.
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion l
Last updated April 2010
Based on a template written by Bernie Dodge.
