Cow Eyes Teacher's Page
A  WebQuest for Grades 6 - 8, WebQuest Agricultural Series by Missouri Farm Bureau and Missouri State University


In this WebQuest, students explore two different websites about the eye. The websites have explanations and diagrams discussing the human eye. Related to the human eye, one website discusses the cow's eye and why we use it when talking about the human eye. The students will then answer questions about their understanding of the eye. After the students have basic knowledge they will be able to go through a virtual dissection of a cow's eye. If you would like to take the class through a real dissection the website provided in this WebQuest is a great tool to use on a projector or Smartboard to walk the students through the dissection. When the students have completed the dissection they are asked to draw and label an eye themselves. Before or after this WebQuest it might be beneficial to discuss or study different adaptations animals have developed over the years related to the eyes or compare and contrast different animal eyes and their uses/positioning.


Rubric for Cow Eye Projects


10 pts.

8 pts.

6 pts.


0 pts.

Question and Answer worksheet All questions completed with accurate answers 9-11 questions answered  correctly 6-8 questions  answered  correctly less than 6 questions  answered  correctly worksheet not turned in 
Drawing and labeling of eye Drawing is accurate and all parts are included Drawing is partially accurate with 7-10 correctly labeled parts Drawing is partially accurate with 4-6 correctly labeled parts Drawing is inaccurate and missing more than 7 correctly labeled parts no drawing turned in

Missouri Grade-Level Expectations

Strand 3: Living Organisms

2. Living organisms carry out life processes in order to survive

C. Complex multicellular organisms have systems that interact to carry out life processes through physical and chemical means

Students will be able to explain how the eye reacts to light stimulus and how the muscle make the eyes move. ( grade 8 g)

F. Cellular activities and responses can maintain stability internally while external conditions are changing (homeostasis)


3. Genetic variation sorted by the natural selection process explains evidence of biological evolution

C. Natural selection is the process of sorting individuals based on their ability to survive and reproduction within their ecosystem

Students will be able to describe the adaption and purpose of the protective features of the eye. (grade 6 a and b)

Strand 7: Scientific Inquiry


C. Evidence is used to formulate explanations

Students will use technology to compare and contrast a cow's eye to a human's eye ( Grade 6,7,8 b)

E. The nature of science relies upon communication of results and justification of explanations

Students will be able to draw and label the parts of an eye (Grade 6,7,8 a)


2. Compose well-developed text using standard English conventions

Students will be able to answer questions on a worksheet in complete and grammatically correct sentences. (Grades 6,7,8 a,b,c,d,e,f)

3. Write effectively in various forms and types of writing

Students will write a summary of how the eye works (grades 6,7,8 d)

National Education Standards


  • Students will read and show understanding of two types of informational text by answering questions on a worksheet and drawing a diagram with labels.


  • Students will summarize the process of how the eye works.


  • Students will utilize a webquest to understand the properties and function of the eye.
  • Students will utilize a virtual dissection to understand all the parts of the eye.


  • Students will explore and develop an understanding of the use of dissection.


  • Students will compare and contrast human and cow eyes.
  • Students will discuss adaptations of the eye for protection and maintenance.

Here is a link for students who ask for information about beef cattle or the cattle industry.

Students should find the answers to the worksheet questions from the eye link and how the eye links works link.

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This page was developed by your Lybbye Coil, reviewed by Lyndon and the late Barbara Irwin and maintained by Missouri Farm Bureau.

Please address questions to Diane Olson at Missouri Farm Bureau.