Save our Soil Agricultural WebQuest

You are a soil conservationist. Farmer Tim has called you to help him save his topsoil. Farmer Tim has inherited beautiful land that is very hilly and wide open. He has always wanted to crop farm but is having a difficult time with soil erosion. Farmer Tim needs your help in controlling the soil erosion on his farm. If you are able to help, he will be willing to hire your team for future conservation issues on his farm. Good Luck!

Competency	4 pts.	3 pts.	2 pts.	1pts.	0pts.
Interesting Fact Sheet	Fact sheet is filled out to the best of students ability and completed on time	Fact sheet is filled out to the best of students ability and missing 1 fact and/or late	Fact sheet is filled out and missing 2 or 3 facts and/or late	Little attempt to fill out fact sheet and/or late	No attempt made to complete fact sheet
Expert Recording Sheet	Recording sheet is completely filled out, to the best of the student's ability, including the practice, definition, 2 benefits, maintenance, and 2 sources	Recording sheet is completely filled out, to the best of the student's ability, but is missing 1 piece of required information.	Recording sheet has been filled out, but is missing 2 or 3 pieces of required information	Recording sheet has been attempted, but 4 or more pieces of information has been omitted.	No attempt was made.
Presentation	Presentation is completed containing all requirements: 2 conservation practices included, benefits and maintenance clear, at least 1 image, image cited, other sources cited, and neat.	Presentation is completed but missing 1 requirement.	Presentation is completed but missing 2 or 3 requirements.	Presentation has been made, containing few requirements.	No attempt was made.
Team Cooperation	Worked cooperatively with group members and contributed valuable "expert" information. Completed all assignments in a timely manner.	Worked somewhat cooperatively with group members, contributing valuable information and/or completing most assignments on time.	Had trouble with group work at times, and/or contributed little information and/or completed 2 or more assignments late.	Little cooperation with group members, contributions were to a minimum and/or assignments late.	No attempt was made to work with group, contribute information, or complete assignments.

The group activities follow the "jig-sawing" model where students are in a core team and then break into expert teams. This helps with cooperative learning, on-task responsibility, and research skills.

Possible presentation opportunities are but not limited to posters, visual aid models, and powerpoint presentations.

This WebQuest would be attempted after the students have learned about the various aspects of soil.

This page was developed by Casey Echelmeier, reviewed by Lyndon and Barbara Irwin and maintained by Missouri Farm Bureau.

Please address questions to Diane Olson at Missouri Farm Bureau or Dr. Lyndon Irwin at Missouri State University.