WETLANDS WEBQUEST
Student Activities|Teacher Guide
Linda Finley
(St. Benilde School)
March 21, 2000
Introduction
Sarah invited a few of her friends to her grandfather's camp near
Barataria. It was the first time the children had ever been in
the marsh. Early the first morning Sarah's grandfather took the
children out in his boat. The water was thick with bald cypress,
gum, and cottenwood trees. They watched great blue heron and
snowy white egrets search for breakfast. The smell of alligator
musk hung in the air. Danger lurked in the dark water under the
soft green carpet of duckweed. A water moccasin slithered past
the boat. The children were fascinated by all they saw. Grandpa
Jim told them stories of the bayou country where he had grown up.
The children learned that the wetlands were home to many species
of wildlife. Then he told them that the wetlands were rapidly
disappearing. This made the children very sad. When they returned
to school the next week, they talked about their trip with their
teacher and asked what they could do to help.The children decided
to do some research and decide on a way to tell people about the
problem. Their teacher helped them arrange opportunities to share
the information they found with other students.. They also
secured the permission of the principal to set up a display at
the next parent-teacher meeting.
Task
The class has been divided into teams. Each team will research
information about the wetlands. After gathering this information
the students will share this information with other classes and
design posters, bumper stickers, and brochures to display and
distribute at the next parent-teacher meeting.
As a member of your team you have been given the following
assignment:
Click on the
following sights to answer these questions.
1. What are wetlands?
2. Describe the types of wetlands found in Louisiana.
3. Why are wetlands important?
4. What animals and plants are found in the wetlands?
5. What are some causes for wetland loss?
6. What can be done to protect the wetlands?
Nature Photography by Julia Sims pictures of the wetlands
What Are Wetlands
Wetland Communities
LACoast
Louisiana Department of Natural Resources --
Office of Coastal Restoration and Management
LACoast
LACoast
Student
Worksheet
Based on what you have
read, answer the following questions.
List the 3 conditions that determine if an area is considered a wetland.
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Name and
describe the four types of wetlands found in Louisiana.
1. _____________________
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2. _____________________ ______________________________
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3. _____________________ ______________________________
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4. _____________________ ______________________________
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List some
plants and animals found in the wetlands.
Plants_________________________________________________
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Animals _______________________________________________
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Why are
wetlands important to humans? to wildlife? to the environment?
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What factors contribute to the loss of wetlands?
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What are some things that middle school students can do to help protect wetland areas?
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From the
information you have gathered, create a bumper sticker, poster,
and a brochure that will educate teachers and parents as well as
fellow students.
Helpful Sights
Cynthia
The Louisiana & Cajun Website Directory
-At LouisianaCajun.com
Nature
Photography by Julia Sims
Teacher Activities
Teacher
Guide
Louisiana Wetlands
Linda Finley
(St. Benilde)
April, 2000
This activity introduces students to the wetlands of Louisiana. It focuses on various aspects of Louisiana wetlands: the value of the wetlands, the causes that have led to wetland loss, and the effects of this loss on humans, wildlife, and the environment.
Grade level: 6-8
Curriculum Area: Science
Objectives
The student will:
determine the
characteristics of a wetland
identify typical wetlands in Louisiana, their function and
theirvalue
identify agents that cause wetland loss
identify animals and plants present in wetland ecosystems
discover the effects of wetland loss on humans, wildlife, and the
environment
Background
Wetlands are areas where the water level remains near or above
the surface of the ground for most of the year. They were once
considered to be a wild, insect-ridden, wasteland. The land
couldn't be used for farming or development. It was a harsh, dark
and formidable place. Louisiana has about 3,400 sq. miles of
inland water. The state contains 40% of all the salt marshes in
the Unites States. Wetlands are very fragile. Louisiana is losing
its wetland areas at an astounding rate. If this loss isn't
checked, the total amount of land lost by 2050, set end to end in
a one-foot wide strip, would reach fron the earth to the moon and
back 11 times!!! Wildlife habitat, fisheries, communities, and
the economy will all be critically affected. In the last ten
years, people have become concerned about the damage inflicted
and have begun to find ways to protect and restore wetland areas.
Education is of primary importance.
Time Frame: One 40 minute class period
Teacher
resources
CDRoms
Knee Deep in Louisiana Wetlands
Explore Coastal Louisiana
Louisiana Wetlands Functions and Values
Internet Sites
Bayous
Nature Photography by Julia
Sims
Wetlands
Interactive Mapper Tool
BTNEP - Field Trip
Guide
Water
Resources: A Louisiana Legacy
Louisiana
Wetlands Intro
Extended
Activities
1. Wetland Migration Game
Draw 10 squares (2x2) with chalk onto a paved area. Have the
students line up at the beginning of the course. Tell them they
are birds preparing to migrate northward. Each square represents
a wetland. After all students successfully complete the first leg
of migration announce that a developer has destroyed two squares
for building. Cross off two squares. Students migrate once again
being careful not to step on destroyed wetlands. Each time the
students finish destroy two more squares. As students fail to
complete the course have them sit out because they are too weak
to finish the journey.
Answer the following questions.
1. How do migrating birds depend on wetlands during migration.
2. Why did some birds die earlier than others?
3. Why did the birds die even though some wetlands remained by
the end of the game?
4. Why is it important to save wetlands in all states?
2. Make a wetland
model.
1. Spread a layer of modeling clay in half of a roasting pan to
represent land. Shape the clay so that it gradually slopes down
to the center of the pan.
2. Cut a piece of indoor-outdor carpeting to completely fill the
space across the pan along the edge of the clay. This represents
the wetland buffer between dry land and water.
3. Use pieces of sponge and cuetips
4. Experiment by pouring water over the land to show flood
control and water purification.
5. Chart results.
Sample
Responses