FrogQuest

A WebQuest on Creating a Habitat for a White's Tree Frog

Designed by Laurel Stewart
laurelstew@gmail.com

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page


Hello friends!

My name is Mr. Green, and I am a White's Tree Frog. I put a picture of myself above, so you could see how cute I am! I have some exciting news to tell you. Very soon, I will be moving into your classroom, to share it with you for the rest of the school year. I am excited to meet all of you!


Before I can move in, there are some things you need to know about me first. I am very different than you, and need a different living enviromenment (habitat) than your classroom. I also eat different foods than you do. Before I can come live in your classroom, I need you to investigate what type of habitat I need. You will need to create for this habitat for me. Please also figure out what I like to eat and how to feed me, because I don't want to share your sandwich at lunch (yuck!).

Please take your time while investigating your topic. A mistake could make me sick or unhealthy. Once your class has figured out everything I need to be happy and healthy, your teacher will be able to purchase the supplies.

See you soon,
Mr. Green


The Process

1. You have been assigned to a group. Your group has been assigned to one of the following topics:

2. As a group, you will need to investigate what a White's Tree Frog needs within the topic you have been assigned to. After you have become experts on your topic, your group will combine with the other group assigned the same topic. As a large group, you will create and give your presentation of your findings to the rest of the class. Your presentation needs to include answers to the questions posed and visual displays.

Use the following questions and websites that are assigned to your group to research your topic. Your group will want to carefully review every website assigned to your group, to ensure you were able to gather all the important information needed. You need to answer every question thoroughly. Remember, sometimes a website might only give partial information, and every question should be researhed on every website.

Food/Diet Group:

Questions to Answer:

1. What are the nutritional needs for a White's Tree Frog? What do White's Tree Frogs eat in their natural habitat?

2. What types of food and/or supplies can we provide that will meet these nutritional needs?

3. Make a purchase list, including a schedule of purchases needed per month and the cost per month.

4. Create a feeding schedule for our class to follow.

Food/Diet Websites:

Wikipedia
Smithsonian
Pet Education
White's Tree Frog Care Facts
Petco

Water & Humidity:

Questions to Answer:

1. How does water play a role in the natural habitat of a White's Tree frog?

2. What can we do to provide the type of water sources and humidty a White Tree Frog needs?

3. Make a purchase list of supplies needed to create a habitat that has water and humidity like the natural habitat.

4. Create a schedule for the classroom to follow that will provide the water and humidity needs.

Water & Humidity Websites:

Wikipedia
Animal Discovery
Pet Education
White's Tree Frog Care
Exo-Terra Products

Temperature & Lighting:

Questions to Answer:

1. What is the temperature range and natural light in a White's Tree Frog's Natural Habitat?

2. Is this different from our classroom? If so, how can we create an environment that has the temperature and lighting that is similar to a White's Tree Frog's natural habitat?

3. Make a purchase list of supplies needed to create a habitat that has the temperature and lighting needed.

4. Create a schedule or a system for the classroom in regards to monitoring and/or rotating the temperature and lighting.

Temperature & Lighting Websites:

Wikipedia
Animal Discovery
Pet Education
White's Tree Frog Care
Exo-Terra Products
Petsmart

Plants & Groundcover:

Questions to Answer:

1. What types of environments do White's Tree Frog's live in? Describe common habitats of White's Tree Frogs.

2. What types of plants, objects and groundcover are recommended to use when creating a White's Tree Frog's habitat?

3. What type of care is needed in keeping the plants alive and groundcover and objects clean?

3. Make a purchase list of supplies needed to create a habitat that has the plants, objects, and groundcover needed.

Plants & Groundcover Websites:

Smithsonian
Wikipedia
Pet Education
White's Tree Frog Care
Exo-Terra Products

Handling & Cleaning:

Questions to Answer:

1. Describe a White's Tree Frog's physical characteristics.

2. What do White's Tree Frogs need to be healthy?

3. What are some steps our classroom should take when handling the White's Tree Frog, and cleaning it's habitat?

4. Create a purchase list of any supplies needed for handling, cleaning or maintaining good health.

Handling & Cleaning Websites:

Smithsonian
Herpetological Society
Pet Education
White's Tree Frog Care


Evaluation

Beginning

1

Developing

2

Accomplished

3

Exemplary

4

Score

 

Plan for organizing information
Students have no clear plan for organizing the information AND/OR students in the group cannot explain their organizational plan.
Students have developed a clear plan for organizing the information as it is gathered. All students can independently explain most of this plan.
Students have developed a clear plan for organizing the information in the final research product. All students can independently explain this plan.
Students have developed a clear plan for organizing the information as it is gathered and in the final research product. All students can independently explain the planned organization.

4

 

Work collaboratively with group members while researching topic and preparing presentation
Rarely listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others. Often is not a good team player.
Often listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others, but sometimes is not a good team member.
Usually listens to, shares, with, and supports the efforts of others. Does not cause "waves" in the group.
Almost always listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others. Tries to keep people working well together.

4

  Students will be prepared to present their findings, which include answering questions posed, a visual display and a list of supplies needed.
Student does not seem at all prepared to present.
The student is somewhat prepared, but it is clear that rehearsal was lacking.
Student seems pretty prepared but might have needed a couple more rehearsals.
Student is completely prepared and has obviously rehearsed.
4

 

Content

 
Does not seem to understand the topic.
Shows a good understanding of parts of the topic.
Shows a good understanding of the topic.
Shows a full understanding of the topic.
4



Conclusion

Now that your class has researched what I need in your classroom, you can set up my habitat! I will be moving in next week, so hurry up and get my space ready for me! Oh, by the way, I am bringing my friend to live with me. She is also a White's Tree Frog. Please figure out if any changes need to be made to the accomodations you are preparing, to have enough room and food for both of us.

See you soon,
Mr. Green


Credits & References

Image provided by: Smithsonian's National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C. Smithsonian Photo by Jessie Cohen. (c) 1992 Smithsonian

Last updated on August 15, 1999. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page