Spiders Webquest

Hi! My name is Sammy Spider and I am Mrs. Van Dyke's eight-legged friend! I live in Room 28 at Woodland Elementary West. It's a great place to live! I learn so much new stuff! There's one bad thing about living in a classroom full of third graders...the third graders are scared of me a lot of the time! Usually, when someone sees me I hear, "Eek! Eww! A spider! Step on it!" Now, I don't know about you, but I don't like people talking about me like that! I really am a nice spider! In fact, every spider that I know is pretty misunderstood, if you ask me! So, how would you like to learn more about spiders? You would?!?! Great! I'll be your tour guide! You'll definitely be a Spider Expert at the end of this webquest! Let's begin!

After learning about lovely spiders, such as myself, you'll be able to create your own type of spider. Of course, in order to be considered a "spider", it must include certain details that all spiders share, but you can make it unique as well! You will also get to make a model of your spider using materials in the classroom, make a Venn Diagram comparing your spider to another type of spider, and present your spider to the rest of your class! Pretty cool, huh? I can't wait to see what new ideas you spin in your web!

I know what you're saying..."Sure, Sammy! It is easy for you to say that I will be able to do all of that! You're a spider! You know all about spiders already! Where in the World Wide Web am I going to learn about spiders?" Well, I've got that part covered, my friend! I have traveled through the "web" to find the best resources I could to help you out! Just click on the links to take you where you want to go. When you are done, make sure you click the Back arrow on the Internet Browser, so that I don't get too lonely! Have fun!

Watch this great movie about spiders! Wow! I should be an actor! I look good on film!

I bet you didn't know I am a model as well! Check out these awesome pictures of me and my friends!

Spider Information

Hang out with some of my friends:

Wolf Spider

Tarantula

Crab Spider

*Use the websites listed to learn more about spiders.
*Keep track of information that you think is important in your Science Notebook.
*Work with your partner to design a new type of spider.
*Create a model of the spider using the materials provided in class.
*Make a Venn Diagram comparing your spider to either a Wolf Spider, Tarantula, or Crab Spider.
*Present your new spider and information you found to the class.

Here's what my friend, Mrs. Van Dyke, will be looking for when she is giving you a grade!

Spider Model	Keep Trying!	Pretty Good!	WOW!
Does your spider have a cephalothorax and an abdomen?	2	4	6
Does your spider have eight legs?	2	4	6
Does your spider have spinerettes?	2	4	6
Does your spider have features that make it unique?	2	4	6
Did you name your species of spider?	2	4	6
TOTAL

Venn Diagram	Keep Trying!	Pretty Good!	WOW!
Did you compare your spider to either a Wolf Spider, Tarantula, or a Crab Spider?	2	4	6
Did you list at least three similarities?	2	4	6
Did you list at least three differences on both sides?	2	4	6
Is your work neat?	2	4	6
TOTAL

Presentation	Keep Trying!	Pretty Good!	WOW!
Did you share the name of your species of spider?	2	4	6
Did you explain why your spider is different from other types of spiders?	2	4	6
Did you speak loud enough for the whole class to hear?	2	4	6
Did you share your Venn Diagram and your spider model with the class?	2	4	6
TOTAL

FINAL GRADE

78 POINTS = A+

70-77 POINTS = A

63-69 POINTS = B

55-62 POINTS = C

0-54 POINTS = N

Okay, Spider Expert! What do you think about spiders now? Are we still scary and gross? I hope I have helped to change your mind! Even if I haven't, I am still really proud of all that you have accomplished! Just think...you have worked well with a partner, used the internet to research spiders, made a model of a new type of spider, made a Venn Diagram, and presented your information to a group of your classmates! Wow! Great job! Well, lunch just landed on my web, so I will have to be going now! I hope to see you around! Bye!