Web Quest

Chapter 5

WHICH IS THE LONGEST OF THEM ALL?

INTRODUCTION

In this Web Quest your child will discover and compare the lengths of different animals, using data they find on the Internet. Your child will be responsible for choosing and creating a graph to display the data.

TASK

1. Discuss with your child different animal groups (mammal, amphibian and reptile, bird, fish, and insect). Together, name as many of each group as you can think of. Place the animals discussed in the Student Introduction in the correct group. Ask your child what kind of animal they might measure using each of the units of measurements. Have your child explain his or her choices.
   
2. The following websites are some of many sites you can use to find information on animals:

   Seaworld
   The Canadian Museum of Nature
   The Toronto Metro Zoo
   Hinterland Who's Who

   Have your child choose 5 different animals based on the information provided in the Student section of this Web Quest. While your child is reading about the different animals, ask them questions related to the lengths of animals.

   Sample Questions

   "The raccoon is ______ cm long. Could you describe its length using a different unit of measurement?"

   "The _____is 1.5 m long and the _____ is 160 cm long. Which one is longer?"

   
   
3. Once your child has chosen his or her 5 animals, have him or her record the data on The Animal Group Fact Sheet .
   
4. Have your child choose what type of graph he or she wants to use to display the data. Explore the advantages and disadvantages of each type. Discuss what type of scale would be best to use.
   
5. After the graph is completed, ask your child if the graph shows which animal is the longest. Have your child think of 2 other questions that his or her graph answers.

As an extension to this activity, encourage could your child to measure the length of your pets or objects around the house using different units of measurement. They could then compare them to the animals studied in this Web Activity.

Your child should be familiar with the following vocabulary:

scale, axis, bar graph, pictograph, circle graph, data, legend, centimetre, decimetre, millimetre, and length.