In this WebQuest, students will conduct internet
research to learn more about Virginia's renewable
and nonrenewable resources. They also will learn how
to write a proposal based on their plan to conserve
Virginia's natural resources. Their project will include
making a table that shows at least ten different resources
and classifying them as renewable or nonrenewable
and then using that information to write a proposal.
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As students conduct their research, they will answer
a set of questions that have been provided. Each Web
site has some of the answers, but several of the questions
may require information from two or more of the Web
sites.
As students compile information to answer the questions,
they also will gather the information needed to create
a table of Virginia's resources. The table will show
whether each type of resource is renewable or nonrenewable.
Once the table is complete, they will write a proposal
for funds to implement their plan for conserving resources.
Objectives
- Classify Virginia’s natural resources as
renewable or nonrenewable.
- Create a table that shows some of Virginia's resources
and classifies them.
- Develop a plan to conserve one or more of Virginia's
resources.
- Write a proposal with the goal of obtaining funds
to implement a plan to conserve Virginia's resources.
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2-3 class periods to research, answer questions,
develop plan, and write proposal
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As students progress through the list of Web sites,
you may help them focus on what they need to know
to answer the questions. Several of the Web sites
have links to other Web sites with relevant information.
If time allows, you may want to allow students to
further explore subjects related to Virginia’s
resources. Always supervise students carefully
as they search the Internet.
Students will then continue with their internet research
to gather information that they will use to construct
a table showing at least ten different resources and
whether they are renewable or nonrenewable. Once the
table is complete, students will use the knowledge
they have gained to develop a plan to conserve one
or more of the resources they researched. As part
of the process, they will write a proposal with the
goal of obtaining funds to implement their plan.
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Students will use the internet links provided to
find out about different resources found in Virginia.
They should be reminded that living organisms are
resources too.
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Have students review the rubric
to determine how they will be scored on this WebQuest.
Have students review the
rubric to determine how they will be scored on this
WebQuest.
You may assign 10 points
to each of the five questions for a total of 50 possible
points. Possible answers to the questions are given
below. You may rate the answer to each question
by the following scale: Excellent: 9-10 points; Very
Good: 7-8 points; Good: 5-6 points; Satisfactory:
3-4 points; Poor: 1-2 points; and Unsatisfactory:
0 points.
Possible Answers
to Questions about Virginia's Resources
Student answers will vary.
- Student answers should indicate that coal is found
in the Appalachian Plateau. Reasons for this should
include the geologic make up of the region. Answers
should be specific.
- Resources located in the Chesapeake Bay include
aquatic life, birds, and plants. Students should
be able to list specific species. The resources
found in the Chesapeake Bay are primarily aquatic
compared to resources found in other environments
in Virginia.
- Answers can be found on the Virginia Division
of Mineral Resources Web site provided.
- The main types of coal are lignite, bituminous,
and anthracite. Virginia's coal is bituminous. Students
should include the characteristics of bituminous
coal in their answers.
- The answer can be found in the Virginia's Mineral
and Energy Resources document provided via the Web
site provided.
At the end of this WebQuest, students will have gathered
enough information to answer the questions about Virginia's
resources-renewable and nonrenewable -and to create
a table showing those resources. They also will learn
how to write a proposal. Completion of this WebQuest
will help students prepare for the Virginia Standards
of Learning test by reviewing Earth Science standard
ES.7c.
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