INTRODUCTION

Have you ever been to the ocean? What is the largest mammal that lives in the ocean? A whale! Complete the quest today to discover interesting facts about whales!

After reading the book Dory Story by Jerry Pallotta, you will use the computer to learn about whales.

RESOURCES

• Computer- PC or Mac
• Access to the Internet via Netscape or Explorer
• Pallotta, J. (2000). Dory Story. New York, NY: Charlesbridge Incorporated.
• Teacher prepared handout with words to be defined: whale, marine mammal, adaptation, predator, prey
• Writing paper/pencil
• Internet Sites (bookmark these sites):
  • http://www.whaletimes.org/whahmpg.htm
  • http://www.whaletimes.org/whadict.htm
  • http://www.whaletimes.org/whapuz.htm
  • http://www.whaletimes.org/whatale.htm
  • http://whales.magna.com.au/DISCOVER/gallery/index.html

CONTENT STANDARDS

• Write informational reports that include facts and examples and present important details in a logical order.
• Determine the meanings and pronunciations of unknown words by using dictionaries, glossaries, technology and textual features, such as definitional footnotes or sidebars.
• Generate writing ideas through discussions with others and from printed material.
• Prepare for publication (e.g., for display or for sharing with others) writing that follows a format appropriate to the purpose using techniques such as electronic resources and graphics to enhance the final product.
• Write narratives that sequence events, including descriptive details and vivid language to develop plot, characters and setting and to establish a point of view.

PROCESS

Follow these steps to complete your quest:

1. As a class, read Dory Story by Jerry Pallotta

2. After the book is read, visit Fishing for Facts: http://www.whaletimes.org/whahmpg.htm

Pick one type of whale and write down 3 facts that you learned about the whale. Don't forget to include the name of the whale!

3. Go to Whale Words: http://www.whaletimes.org/whadict.htm

On the definition handout, look up the listed words: whale, marine mammal, adaptation, predator, prey. Using the Whale Words Dictionary, write down the definition to each word.

4. Check out some photographs of whales: http://whales.magna.com.au/DISCOVER/gallery/index.html

5. Read the Whale Tale silently: http://www.whaletimes.org/whatale.htm

This is the story of Jake and Max. Kids all around the word have helped to write this story. After reading the story silently, get out a blank piece of writing paper and pencil. Write a paragraph with an ending to the story. Your paragraph should include at least ten complete sentences.

7. Brush up on your whale knowledge by playing the Whale Puzzler: http://www.whaletimes.org/whapuz.htm.

EVALUATION

You will be evaluated by your teacher with the following Rubric:

CONCLUSION

Congratulations! You have completed your whale quest! Your hard work is rewarded with the knowledge that you gained throughout your quest!

CITATIONS

Hellas Multimedia. Education Clip Art and Images. Retrieved April 10, 2002 from http://www.hellasmultimedia.com/webimages/education/default.htm

Pallotta, J. (2000). Dory Story. New York, NY: Charlesbridge Incorporated.

Whales in Danger Information Service. Whale Photograph Gallery.Retrieved April 15, 2002 from http://whales.magna.com.au/DISCOVER/gallery/index.html

Whale Times Organization. Whale Information and Photographs. Retrieved April 15, 2002 from http://www.whaletimes.org/whahmpg.htm

Whale Times Organization. Whale Puzzle. Retrieved April 15, 2002 from http://www.whaletimes.org/whapuz.htm

Whale Times Organization. Whale Tale. Retrieved April 15, 2002 from http://www.whaletimes.org/whatale.htm

Created by Katie Sears, Spring 2002

Bowling Green State University Graduate Student