Whale Watch

A WebQuest for intermediate grades

Designed by

Kathi Ligocki
Enrichment Teacher
kligocki@cdeducation.org

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits


Introduction

You may have visited Shamu at Sea World and know that he is a killer whale.  Did you know that dolphins and porpoises are also whales?  There are about 65 living species of toothed whales and about 11 living species of baleen whales in the world.

Many whales are endangered because they were hunted to near extinction in the 1800's and then in the 1930's.  The International Whale Commission (IWC) is responsible for whale conservation throughout the world. They need your help if whales are to survive!  This webquest will allow you to visit two areas with whales.

Are you willing to be a member of this special "whale watching" group?


The Task

As a member of the special student IWC team you will need to:

  • travel to two designated whale watch areas: North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
  • create a brochure or poster sharing what you learned from your whale watch
    • Your brochure can be created on Print Shop or by using Student Writing Center.


    The Process

    Before you begin you will have to decide on your role for the team:

    • marine biologist (studies animals)
    • geographer (map person)
    • graphic artist (designs chart, poster/ brochure)
    • recorder  (takes notes and records information)
    • manager  (makes sure the team is working to complete the task)
    • computer expert (navigates through the quest and downloads information)

     

    When you go to the two whale watch sites you will create a chart to:

    • name the whales found in the area
    • are they toothed or baleen?
    • name other animals seen during watch
    • find the physical characteristics of the whales
    • describe their diet
    • mark the location of the whales on a world map
    • find out the number of the remaining whales worldwide
    • include drawings or download pictures of the fluke, fin and blowhole as seen from the whale watch boat
    • decide what threatens the remaining whales in your watch areas
    • tell us how you would protect these whales
    A Day On A Whale Watch
    Virtual Whale Watch


    Evaluation

    A successful project will complete the task by following the steps in the process.  Groups will be awarded a certificate.
     
     
     


    Conclusion

    Now you have learned about many more species of whales.  You have some appreciation for how awesome these marine mammals are!

    How can you share your knowledge so that other students and adults in your school will be informed?  How can you help protect the current whale population?


    Credits & References

    Thanks to the crew of the Navigator, Rockport Whale Watch, for an exciting day of whale watching this summer!

    Thank you to Sea World Aurora and their teacher education programs! Their summer class and
    Whale Teacher's Guides are wonderful.

    Sea World Whale Rescues
    Whalenet
    Listen To Whales Sing
    Rockport Whale Watch
    Teacher Lesson on Echolocation
    The Rescue of Metompkin
    World Map
    Whale Fact Sheets: humpback andorca
    Whale Poster
    More Teacher Lesson Plans

    Please visit your school or community library to find the following books about whales.

    In the Company of Whales: From the Diary of a
        Whale Watcher by Alexandra Morton.
    Whales by David Jones.
    Killer Whales by Caroline Arnold
    The Whale (Endangered Animals & Habitats) by Adam Wong
    A Pod of Gray Whales; An Affectionate Portrait
        by Francois Gohier
    A Pod of Killer Whales; The Mysterious & Beautiful Life of the Orca by Vicki Leon
    The Humpback Whale (Wildlife of North America)
        by Randy Frahm

    Your library should have many books about whales in the children's section!  Have fun reading!
     

    Last updated on August 11, 2000. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page