The "Introduction" to the "Westward Ho, Shall We Go?" WebQuest advises your third-grade students that in the year 1830 the mayor of their town has discovered that many of the town's citizens want to join the wagon train heading west. The "Task" for your students is to write an essay giving reasons why the townsfolk should stay put or head west. For the "Process" your students will research the citizens of the town and the conditions for traveling on the Oregon Trail. They will then make a list of reasons why the townspeople should stay or go. The "Evaluation" for this WebQuest is a rubric that your students can use to write their essays. For the "Conclusion" your students will make their case by reading their essays before the class using the conclusions from their research. The "Teachers" section of this WebQuest will have standards as well as frameworks and resources for your class grade level.
The "Introduction" to the "Snakes Alive!" WebQuest explains the plight of a famous herpetologist who is visiting your school. She is taking care of four baby snakes but because of an emergency must leave them with your class. You ask your students to help by giving them the "Task" of becoming junior herpetologists. They must research the snakes to find out whether snakes are really important and useful animals. The "Process" for completing this mission is to research snakes by learning vocabulary words. Your students must also make a poster of a snake's life cycle and create a model of a snake in its habitat. The "Evaluation" rubric will help the students complete their assignments. For the "Conclusion" your students will present their assignments to the class. The "Teachers" section of this WebQuest shows the credits and resources for the WebQuest.
The "Introduction" for the WebQuest "Adventure into the Unknown -- Lewis and Clark Expedition" invites your students to be volunteers and go with Lewis and Clark on their adventure to find the Northwest Passage and reach the Pacific Ocean. Their "Task" is to become expert adventurers by researching Lewis and Clark's journal entries, studying old maps and letters, learning about animals and plants, and learning about the life of the Native Americans. For the "Process" the students will research and write journals taking the positions of the botanist, zoologist, topographer and Indians Affairs Expert. They will use information in their journals for the "Game" section of the WebQuest, where they will first play an interactive online history game "Go West Across America with Lewis and Clark." They will then make a board game of their own about their travels following the website's information, materials and rules. They will use the "Evaluation" rubric to help them with their journal and the game. For the "Conclusion" your students will present their game to the class. The "Teachers" section of this WebQuest will have standards as well as frameworks and resources for your class grade level.
The "Introduction" to "The Ocean's in Trouble!" warns that the beach is closed and the students must enter at their own risk. As their first task the students must go online and research information on why the oceans and beaches are in trouble. They must next look for relationships between humans, animals and the ocean. Your students must then make a concept map (e.g., Kidspiration map) about what they learned. Their second task is to make a poster that will share this information with the community. The "Process" for completing these tasks is:
1. Choose a partner
2. Brainstorm and create the concept map using the "Evaluation" rubric.
3. Carry out research on the given resources and download the provided worksheet.
4. Use the "Evaluation" rubric to complete your worksheet.
5. Make the poster using the "Evaluation" rubric.
6 and 7. Each group should put together its brainstorm notes, concept map, poster and "Evaluation" rubric.
Finally, let each group present its ideas and posters to the class, then post all of the group posters on your class website. Also showcase the posters around the room and throughout the school if possible.