Hermit Crabs in the Classroom

Tom Thomas

Introduction:

The main goal of this Web Quest exercise is to introduce children to the Internet, while providing a safe environment in which to learn. By allowing the students to become actively engaged in the decision of which pet to keep in the classroom, they learn how to conduct research that will aide them in future investigations. More specifically, this page was designed to help students decide if they would like to keep a hermit crab as a classroom pet.

Content Area and Grade Level:

This Web Quest is intended for use in a third grade classroom and follows the TEKS for that grade. However, it can be easily adapted for older or younger children.

Curriculum Standards:

Taken from Chapter 112.5.Science, Grade 3 of the TEKS

(a) Introduction

(1) In Grade 3, the study of science includes planning and implementing simple classroom and field investigations to develop the skills of collecting information using tools such as microscopes, making inferences, communicating conclusions an making informed decisions. Students also use computers and information technology tools to support scientific investigations.

(3) Science is a way of learning about the natural world.

Students should know how science has built a vast body of changing and increasing knowledge described by physical, mathematical, and conceptual modes, and also should know that science may not answer all questions.

(b) Knowledge and skills

(3.2) Scientific processes. The student uses scientific inquiry methods during field and laboratory investigations. The student is expected to:

(3.4) Scientific processes. The student knows how to use a variety of tools and methods to conduct science inquiry. The student is expected to:

(3.8) Science concepts. The student knows that living organisms need food, water, light,air, a way to dispose of waste, and an environment in which to live. The student is expected to:

(3.9) Science concepts. The student knows that species have different adaptations that help them survive and reproduce in their environment. The student is expected to:

Implementation Overview:

This exercise on Land Hermit Crabs was designed to last about a week and can be used on an integrated unit on pets or animals. The activities contained within focus on reading and writing within a Science curriculum. Ideally, the students should be able to work in small groups of three or four. Each group will have a different animal to research. At the end of the week, each group will present their findings and a class vote will be taken to decide which pet will be adopted.

 Materials needed:

  1. Computers with Internet access. One computer per group of students is optimum.
  2. Various instruments to record information, such as pen and paper.
  3. Supplemental information sources, as indicated below:

Books:

Websites used in this Web Quest:

Other Web Sites

Entry level skills and knowledge:

Students should be able to use a computer and have some mastery of reading and writing skills.

 

Student Page