"Travel America" 

Introduction 

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Learners 

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Curriculum Standards 

  *Selecting materials for information through a variety of print and non print sources. 
  * Development of critical thinking skills. 
  * Organizing and evaluating information. 
  * Accessing information through the use of current technology. 

Social Studies Standards Addressed
     *How does the geography of each region affect food, clothing, shelter, 
            jobs, recreation and arts, etc.? 
     *What are the regions of the United States and what are the physical and 
             human features of those regions? 

Students will develop geography skills using the Five Themes approach as delineated below: 

*Location: exact location, relative location 
 *Place: unique natural and man-made features 
 *Interaction: how people relate to their environment 
 *Movement: how people, goods, and ideas are transported 
 *Region: a region is an area which has common physical or man-made features 

Integrated Skills Standards Addressed
     I.    Gathering Information 
    II.    Using Information 
             *    speaking in an effective way to the topic 
             *     generalizing from data 
             *     classifying data by ideas 
    III.    Presenting Information 
             *     talking in complete sentences 
             *     keeping to the topic 
             *     listing data from discussion and pictures 
             *     recognizing and using verbal and nonverbal communication 
             *     using visuals for presenting ideas 
    IV.    Participating in Interpersonal and Group Relations 
             *     assuming responsibility for carrying out a task 
             *    recognizing that others may have a different point of view 
             *     participating in discussion 
             *     initiating ideas 

Computer Standards Addressed

* Insert graphic and adjust size and position 
 * Save images from Internet to insert in documents 
 

Language Arts Standards Addressed

Reading Comprehension 

* Seeks and derives meaning from printed material 
* Finds relevant information from non-fiction 

Writing 

*  Clearly expresses self in writing 
* Uses strategies for planning and organizing writing 
* Develops ideas using detail, information and description 
* Self and peer edits for spelling, punctuation and grammar with increasing accuracy 

This project is designed to be completed in about 6 weeks of class time. This would mean approximately 2 hours per week of classroom Social Studies/Language Arts time, an hour per week of Library time, two hours a week of Computer time. It is also understood that this project will be assigned as Homework so that students are working on computer, researching and  writing at home as well. 

The classroom teacher, computer teacher, library teacher and Special Ed teacher working with the class will collaborate on this project. The classroom teacher will give students an overview of the 5 Regions of the United States during a Social Studies lesson, eliciting from the students what they already know about these regions, perhaps making a chart with their ideas prior to their study. The classroom and library teacher will jointly introduce the Webquest project to students. This will include showing the sample Travel Journal, map and doing a model Presentation. The rubric will show clearly the elements that will be focused on and evaluated. 

STUDENT PROCESS:  

Introduction 

Task 

Process 

     Research and Design Team. The entire team will be responsible for 
     the success of the project but each team member will have specific 
     tasks to complete. 

    Individual effort and team communication are important components 
     of the process. You will use the  Internet and other sources of information 
     to make this virtual journey come to life. You will be given a Graphic Organizer 
     to take notes that you  will use to write your final journal entries. 

     The following is a list of research and design activities which are
     necessary for the successful completion of the Journal. 

    "Every Journey Begins with a Single Step" 

Step 1 : Become a Member of a Research Team 

Research Teams will be formed and regions selected. 

Step 2: Preview Library and Computer Resources

Step 3: Map Out Your Trip

Using a given map, select  and outline your  route. You will need to visit the capital of each state in your region. Then choose to visit one to two sites from each state. 
Remember to stay within your region, making sure to visit all the states in that region that you can. 

Step 4: Note taking and Journal Writing 

Use the books and web sites to gather information while visiting your region. Take notes on the important points of each place that you visit by using the graphic organizer. You may want to think/explain about : 

• Describe what the attraction is like. 
• Why would it be fun to visit? 
• Why might it be located in this state/region? 
• What does this attraction tell you about the region as a whole? 

• What does each state have in common with the others in the region? 
• What does that tell you about the region as a whole?  

Use the information gained from your travels to find or create souvenirs items that represent  your region. Items might include (but are not limited to) such things as:
postcards, stamps, models of attractions, pictures, things found in nature, photos and different artifacts. 

Remember to use your creative thinking for the design and the artifacts. 

These souvenirs will be placed in a treasure chest (shoe box) that is creatively designed by your team to reflect the trip and the region. 

Your treasure chest will be used in your presentation and displayed to help others learn about your region.

Step 6: Add Graphics

Your travel journal should be well organized in its writing and appearance. Choose pictures or graphics to add to your journal that will teach others about your region. Remember to choose graphics that really relate to your journal entries. 

Your Travel Team needs to orally present its trip findings to the other teams. Remember to practice using good eye contact, voice projection and enthusiasm. All team members should have a part and need to participate. Your treasure chest and map should be used as you present to share your journey. 

Evaluation 

Evaluation Rubric is located on the Student Page. 

Resources Needed 

Graphic Organizer for note taking.

Access to computers. 
Materials for making their maps. 
Websites are linked in the Student Webquest page. 

This is a collaborative project between the classroom teacher, special education teacher, library and computer teachers. 

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Credits & References 

We all benefit by being generous with our work. Permission is hereby granted for other educators to copy this WebQuest, update or otherwise modify it, and post it elsewhere provided that the original author's name is retained along with a link back to the original URL of this WebQuest. On the line after the original author's name, you may add Modified by (your name) on (date). If you do modify it, please let me know and provide the new URL.