WILD AFRICAN SAFARI

	WILD AFRICAN SAFARI WebQuest for Sixth Grade Designed by Linda Gant mwalimulgg@aol.com
	INTRODUCTION / TASK / PROCESS / RESOURCES / EVALUATION / CONCLUSION / TEACHER Introduction Karibuni (welcome in Swahili) to the "Wild African Safari" on the Maasai Mara in Kenya, East Africa. You are about to embark on the most exciting and adventurous journey of a lifetime. You will safari through the great Maasai Mara in search of the "Big Five". The "Big Five" are the five most sought after animals in all of Africa: the cape buffalo, the elephant, the leopard, the lion, and the rhino.
	The Task Your task is to find out which animals of the "Big Five" are decreasing in population, what factors have led to their decline, and identify which of the "Big Five" are in danger of extinction.
1.	The Process Divide into groups of 4 students. You will each choose a role to play from the following:

Kenyan Game Reserve Warden

You are responsible for the protection of the animals in the game reserve (park). You are to look for any types of activities that could endanger the "Big Five".

Wild Life Conservationist

Your job is to observe the wildlife in the game reserve and to document patterns and behaviors of the "Big Five" that may put them at risk, especially in relation to their environment.

Maasai Mzee (old man)

You live amongst the "Big Five" and your cattle compete with the wildlife in eating the best grass and having a good supply of water. You are to look at the possible conflicts that you might encounter with coexisting on the Maasai Mara with the "Big Five" and possible resolutions to these conflicts.

Tourist

Your primary goal is to find each of the "Big Five". You will assist in documenting numbers of each animal and identifying those that are in danger of extinction.

2.	When you have chosen a role to play, then you will prepare to embark on your "Wild African Safari" in your four-wheel drive jeep across the Maasai Mara. You will need to leave before daylight in order to see as many animals as possible before the sun rises too high and the animals seek shelter from the sweltering heat of the African sun. Be sure to dress warmly and in layers, because the air is chilly in the early morning when the dew is fresh on the tall wispy grasslands of the mara. You will need to pack a sack lunch and bring plenty of bottled water to drink. Don't forget your sunglasses, sunscreen, journal, and binoculars. You will most likely want to take photos, so include your camera.
3.	Your main objective is to see the habitat that the "Big Five" live in and to find the potential and real hazards to their environment from the perspective of the role you are playing. You will need to research the "Big Five" animals in your library or classroom prior to your safari.
4.	Compare the similarities and the differences of the hazards to each of the "Big Five"and discuss possible actions that you could take to reduce these hazards and increase the protection of the animals.
5.	Discuss with your group possible actions to take to protect the habitat of the "Big Five" and to aid in the increase of their population.
6.	Each person will write a one to two page paper describing factors related to the decline of the "Big Five" from the perspective of the role they have assumed and discuss one idea on how to protect the habitat of the "Big Five" and increase their populations.
7.	As a group you will design a poster board display to illustrate each animal of the "Big Five", their natural habitat, and factors affecting their habitat or population. You will make a table or graph reflecting which animals of the "Big Five" are in more danger of extinction compared to the others in the "Big Five".
	Resources Cape Buffalo: Nature and Wildlife Africa Elephant: Oakland Zoo, SchoolWorld Endangered Species Project 1 and Project 2 Leopard: Cohanzick Zoo, Nature, and The Cyber Zoomobile Lion: Oakland Zoo and The Cyber Zoomobile Rhino: International Rhino Foundation (Black Rhino and White Rhino), SchoolWorld Endangered Species Project, and The Rhino & Elephant Foundation Evaluation You will be graded individually on your one to two page paper. Use your journal entries taken on safari and your research from other sources. You will also be graded as a group on your posterboard display with the table or graph and your group presentation of your research and your ideas for resolving the problem. 40% Individual Paper 60% Group Poster and Presentation Conclusion You will return to your campsite exhausted, but challenged with what you have learned on your safari. Your eyes will be opened to the beauty and fragility of nature. You will have learned about the habitat of the "Big Five", the dangers to their existence, and possible solutions for the protection of these animals. This is your opportunity to be an active participant in the future of the "Big Five" and their continued presence in Africa. Safari njema! (Have a good journey!) *Notes to the Teacher* This webquest is designed for sixth grade students with English, Science, Social Studies, and multicultural issues integrated into the unit. Additional ideas may include having an African Multicultural Month focusing on different countries in Africa, the people, styles of dress, and foods.