The Process
Background -
Geographer, Scientist,
Mathematician, &
Reporter
All team members will research their species of whale. You will be required to
take notes on your species of whale using the worksheet
provided by King Neptune's assistants. All detectives will gather data and then
will have a planning session with their team members to decide what factors are
important about their whale. You will turn in a final copy of the worksheet
which will include the most important facts.
Whale Data Sheet
Greenpeace
Whale Facts
Cetacean Factpack Sheets
Whale Times
IMAX - A Look at Whales
Biology - Scientist, Mathematician,
& Reporter
You will create a poster that is a scale drawing of your species of whale. The
poster will have to include labeling of all the following parts of whales:
|
Blowhole |
Pectoral Flipper |
Dorsal Fin |
Flukes |
|
Rostrum |
Lower Jaw |
Eyes |
Peduncle |
Zoom
Whales
Scale Drawing Directions
Mapping Coral Reefs - Geographer &
Scientist
You will locate and map the locations of coral reefs around the world. Search
the links below to find an outline of a world map that you can use. Be sure to
include a map key, compass rose and scale on your final product.
Map Searcher
Mother Jones' Coral Reef Page
US Dept. of the Interior
Holdings with Coral Reefs
State of the Reefs Regional
& Global Perspectives
Coastal and Marine
Resources
Organizing -
Mathematician
You will use a spreadsheet program to chart all the numerical information your
team has found about your whale species. You must include the length of the
whale in feet, in inches, in meters and in centimeters. You must also include
the weight of the whale in pounds, in ounces and in kilograms. Use the
properties of a spreadsheet to help you to make the necessary conversions. Your
chart should have an appropriate title and include the names of all of your
team members and the name of your species of whale. The useful conversions webpage can help you
with this task.
Useful Conversions
Spreadsheet
Instructions
AppleWorks
Spreadsheet Directions
Whale Tales
Mapping Migration
& Habitat - Geographer & Scientist
You will locate the paths of your whale's migration routes. Use the same map
that you used for the coral reef mapping. Be sure to add the migration route to
your map key. You should also include the habitat (or distribution) area of
your whales if appropriate.
Canadian
Arctic Profiles
Discovering Whales
Decide and Discuss -
Geographer, Scientist,
Mathematician, &
Reporter
You will have to use the information you have gathered so far to determine
whether your species of whale could possibly be responsible for damage to the
coral reefs of the world. Your team will also have to discuss what can be done
to protect the coral reefs if your whale is responsible. If you have decided
that your whale is not responsible, you need to decide, based on what you
found, who (or what) may be responsible and why.
- The Mathematician and Scientist will write a paragraph to submit to King Neptune along with your Reporter's presentation explaining whether or not your species is responsible for the coral reef damage and why. No matter which answer the team decides upon, you must support it with at least three factual reasons.
- The Geographer and Reporter will write a paragraph of explanation as well. If you have concluded that your whale is not responsible for the coral reef damage, the paragraph will explain who is responsible and how you know. If you feel that your whale is causing the damage, your paragraph will have to explain what can be done about it.
In all paragraphs, be sure to use proper grammar and include a topic sentence, at least three supporting sentences and a concluding sentence. Your final copy will be written in ink with no white-out or eraser marks. If you choose to do so and have the time to do so, you may type your final copy.
Topic Sentence Tips
Guide to Paragraph
Development
Presenting the
Information - Reporter
You will be creating a HyperStudio presentation to reveal your findings to King
Neptune. Your HyperStudio presentation must include 10 cards, at least 3
graphics and at least 2 sound bytes. Your Multimedia Presentation will have to
answer the following questions:
- Is your whale responsible for damage to the coral reefs and how do you know?
- If your whale is responsible, what can be done to prevent further damage?
- If you whale is not responsible, who (or what) is responsible and how do you know?
You will use the factual information obtained by all four team members to back-up your arguments.
HyperStudio
Tutorial
Another HyperStudio
Tutorial