WebQuest+Vegan,+Vegetarian+or+Meat?

= What is the best diet: vegetarian, vegan or eating meat? =

** A WebQuest for 8th Grade Science ** // Designed by: // Ms. Fischer askmsfischer@gmail.com  [|Introduction] |  [|Task]  |  [|Process]  |  [|Evaluation]  |  [|Conclusion]  |  [|Credits]  |  Teacher Page We have been talking about nutrition in class and the essential nutrients that all humans need to survive: carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and water. Today there is a lot of talk about eating vegan and vegetarian. Some believe that these diets offer many benefits and should be considered over eating meat. Protein is an essential part of our diet, but it can be obtained in any of these diets. It is important, though, to consider the health implications of any restrictions on one’s diet. In this WebQuest, you will explore three different styles of eating: vegetarian, vegan and meat. You will research the pros and cons of each diet in the areas of health, environment and ethics. Finally, you will defend the diet you think is the best. ** The Task ** In this WebQuest each //group// will be responsible for the following: In this WebQuest each //individual// will be responsible for the following: ** The Process ** ** Evaluation ** Your WebQuest will be graded based on the following rubric. Some grades are group grades and other grades are individual as noted below. || ** Beginning ** ** 1 ** || ** Developing ** ** 2 ** || ** Accomplished ** ** 3 ** || ** Exemplary ** ** 4 ** || ** Score ** || ** Notes ** (Individual Grade) ||  Sloppy and incomplete notes; only focuses on one diet or area of concern – not very broad and shows little consideration of all options  || Incomplete notes; does not fully address all three diets or areas of concern – narrow focus || Complete and accurate notes for all three diets but does not look fully at all three areas of concern || Complete and accurate notes for all three diets: vegetarian, vegan and meat (includes info. about health, environment and ethics) || || ** Two-page persuasive paper on position ** (Individual Grade) || Poorly written paper that does not cite any facts. It is also missing information about health, environment or ethics || Well-written paper but does not cite facts from the WebPages used in WebQuest || Well-written paper with cited facts to support the position taken. Logical but does missing info. about health, environment or ethics || Well-written paper with cited facts to support the position taken. Logical and addresses health, environment and ethics || || ** Poster of pros and cons ** (Group Grade) || Looks sloppy and rushed; very minimal information about three diets || Missing pros and cons of some diets and not very neat || Pros and cons of all three diets present but not very neat or visually appealing || Pros and cons of all three diets present. Neat and has some visual appeal || || ** Power Point Presentation ** (Group Grade) || Sloppy and rushed and missing a lot of information; not all group members participate || Has all the information but sloppy and rushed presentation and not everyone participates || Neat presentation but missing some information and heavily dominated by one or two group members || Neat and clear presentation; all group members contribute to the presentation and share their position || || ** Group Work and Contribution ** (Individual Grade as determined by other group members) || Played around a lot and wasted a lot of work time; minimal contributions to group work and distracting presence || Minimal contributions but stayed on task; did not disrupt work but did not help much either || Participated but not individually motivated; needed prompting from group members and teacher || Individually motivated and actively participated in the WebQuest; contributed to the final presentation || || ** Conclusion ** By the end of this activity, I hope that you will have a greater appreciation for the debate around three different styles of eating: vegetarian, vegan and meat. In general, there are many guidelines for healthy eating and a lot of research available; however, there are always people disagreeing about the healthiest ways to eat. In light of this project, I hope you will know how to research controversial health topics and make your own decisions. In order to make good decisions about your health, it is good to look around at a lot sources so you can have as much information as possible to make a decision for yourself based on facts. You also should be open to discussing controversial topics with others and remember that your opinion is not the only one that has science to support it. It is important to always be willing to learn from others. Nutrition is important, and I hope you have a greater appreciation for all the science that helps us know how our bodies use food. ** Credits & References ** =VIDEOS=
 * Introduction **
 * Big Question: ** //What is the best diet for humans: vegetarian, vegan or meat?//
 * A poster that explains the pros and cons of eating vegetarian, vegan and meat
 * A power point presentation that shows what the group learned and includes each group member’s decision on what is the best diet for humans
 * Note sheets with information about health, environment and ethical concerns for each diet
 * A position on what is the best diet for humans: vegetarian, vegan or meat
 * A two page persuasive paper that defends that position
 * 1) First, you will be assigned to a team of 3 other students. You will work together to do your research and make your poster.
 * 2) Once you have your group, you will begin to look at the sites provided in this WebQuest. There are links to videos and WebPages that can help to inform you on the three different diets: vegetarian, vegan and meat. You will take notes to prepare you to discuss the pros and cons of each diet. Use the note sheets attached to take notes.
 * 3) After you looked at all the sites provided, you can also look at other sites for more information if you feel that you still need more facts.
 * 4) Once you have all the information you need to make a decision, you will start your two-page paper defending your position of the following question: should humans eat vegetarian, vegan or meat? You need to cite facts from the websites you looked at in your paper.
 * 5) After writing your papers, the group needs to make a poster that tells the pros and cons of all three diets.
 * 6) Finally, the group needs to make a power point presentation that includes the pros and cons of each diet and decisions of each group member. All group members must contribute to the making of both the poster and power point presentation.
 * 7) All groups will present to the class. Each group member needs to share and be ready to discuss their his decision.

NBC Video about eating vegan (animal cruelty)
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 * 1) Are slaughter factories cruel to animals? Is it beneficial to the slaughters to treat their animals poorly?
 * 2) What are health benefits or concerns with eating vegan?
 * 3) What does it mean to be vegan?

CNN Video about eating vegan – Is it “green” to be vegan? (6:13)
· Does being a vegan reduce a person carbon footprint (is it good for the plant) []
 * 1) What is a carbon footprint?
 * 2) How can being a vegan be good for the environment?
 * 3) What is the difference between being vegetarian and vegan?

ABC Video about helping the planet by eating less beef (2:20)
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 * 1) Why is eating less beef good for the environment?
 * 2) How do cows produce methane?

PETA Video about why to be vegetarian (3:41)
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 * 1) How does this video make you feel?
 * 2) PETA shows animals being treated poorly. How accurate do you think this picture of farming and animal production is?
 * 3) Should animals have the same rights as humans?

=News Articles=

“Vegetarian Teens May Face Higher Eating Disorder Risk” ABC News
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 * 1) Why might vegetarian teens face higher eating disorder risks?
 * 2) What are some benefits of being vegetarian?
 * 3) What are health concerns that vegetarians must watch out for?

“Food Fact: The Pros and Cons of Vegan Dieting” ABC7 News
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“Climate chief Lord Stern: give up meant to save the planet” The Times
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“A vegetarian diet reduces the diner's carbon footprint” The New York Times
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“Oprah's Vegan Diet: Good For Health & Environment” CBS News
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“Vegetarian Diets Can Help Prevent Chronic Diseases, American Dietetic Association Says” Science Daily
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“Diet With A Little Meat Uses Less Land Than Many Vegetarian Diets” Science Daily
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“Study: Vegan Diets Healthier For Planet, People Than Meat Diets” Science Daily
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“Is Plant Protein (Such As Soy) As Good As Animal Protein If I Want To Build Muscle?” ABC News
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“Proteins are Not Created Equal”
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“Difference Between Plant Protein and Animal Protein” DifferenceBetween.net
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