Ladybugs....

Lets find out if they are useful

or if they really are as grouchy as we thought.

Overview | Introduction | Task | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion

Overview

    This webquest was created for first grade use during or following the author study of Eric Carle.  The purpose of this webquest is to integrate reading Carle books with the study of non-fiction text to gain needed information.  The directions given in the webquest should be read to the students and the end product should be created in small groups that are heterogeneous according to reading levels.

Overview | Introduction | Task | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion

Introduction

    The gardeners at your school have been noticing that the plants are starting to wilt and some are beginning to die.  Take a look at the pictures taken of the plants below.  Then look through the research sites below to find out if the problem could be that there are too many small bugs (aphids) and not enough ladybugs. 

Small bugs (aphid) taking over a plant.

Damaged leaves in the garden.

Overview | Introduction | Task | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion

The Task

   Each group will have three experts. 

Habitat Expert:  This expert will be responsible for looking in non-fiction books and at the websites below to find out where ladybugs like to live.
Food Expert:  This expert will be responsible for looking in non-fiction books and at the websites below to find out what kinds of food the ladybug eats.
Garden Expert:  This expert is responsible for finding out about the habitat in our garden around our school.  This includes the highest temperature, and lowest temperature in our area, the various plants that live there, and the kinds of bugs that are living in our garden.

Everyone in the group will become a Kid Pix expert as they are displaying their research in a picture with labels and captions to explain what facts they found.  Then each picture will be put into a slide show and the group can present their findings and suggestions for the gardeners.

Overview | Introduction | Task | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion

 

Process

  1. Find out which expert you are.

  2. Read or have someone help you read your task.

  3. Click on the links below to look for information about your task.

  4. Look in non-fiction books around your classroom to find more information.

  5. Create a Kid Pix picture that shows what you learned about your part of the project.  

Draw and write about where ladybugs live.

Draw and write about what ladybugs eat.

Draw and write about the garden at your school.

Save your drawings in Kid Pix.

Then link each picture in a slide show.

Overview | Introduction | Task | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion

Resources

Weather For Your School

Type in your school's zip code and scroll down the page.  Then click on the orange button "Averages and Records"

Ladybug Habitat

Ladybug Meals

More Ladybug facts

Ladybug Pictures

Overview | Introduction | Task | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion

Evaluation

Rubric for KidPix Slideshow

Evaluation of the WebQuest

Overview | Introduction | Task | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion

Conclusion

Each group will present their pictures and their opinions on whether or not adding ladybugs to the garden will solve the problem of wilting and dying plants.  Each group will give and receive positive comments and compliments from the rest of the class.

Overview | Introduction | Task | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion