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 All aboard for the West Indies!!! 

A Caribbean Webquest

Introduction

Welcome to the West Indies WebQuest.  On this Adventure, you will embark on travels to exotic Caribbean islands in pursuit of discovering different cultures of five West Indies islands; 

Cuba, 
Puerto Rico, 
Jamaica, 
Dominican Republic  
and Haiti.  

Tasks

Researching Island Culture

Once you arrive on your island you will have to get acclimated to the climate. You'll have to learn about what the weather is like so you can dress appropriately. You'll have to exchange your US money for the island currency, and learn some of the language and phrases used on the island. While you are there you might want to explore historical sites and learn about the history of your island. You will need to investigate information on early exploration, education, and government.

Creating Projects

Using all of your island research your team will create Caribbean Island Book to lure tourists to your tropical paradise. Your team will also create a secret treasure map leading tourists to an exotic spice treasure! In addition to your team project you will be doing an independent project. Your choices include; brochures, tours, presentations or poster. 

Making Treasure Maps

A treasure chest has been buried on your island. As a team of experts, it is your job to complete a map giving clues about your island to lead tourists to the treasure.  You will need to research the natural and cultural features of your islands so you can create a detailed treasure map. Your expert knowledge of your Caribbean islands will guide you and your research team to uncovering the truth behind the mysterious treasure chest.

Your Job

On this West Indies WebQuest, you will be working  in groups to complete your assigned task.  Each member of your research team will explore a variety of web pages and research books that have been chosen to guide you in creating an exciting travel presentation for your island.  Because these are real web sites available on the Internet, some of the words may be difficult.  We encourage you to use our link to Word Central's Student Dictionary or to use a classroom dictionary when reading through these web pages. 

Your teacher will assign each of you a specific role, and you will follow the links associated with your island.   Each role has an equal amount of work and responsibility.  Remember that whatever expertise you get, your job is important to the group.  Do the best work that you can! 

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Steps

Step 1 - Planning

1. Select a team captain 

2. Go through the WebQuest with your teammates and discuss the steps you will follow.

3. Delegate job roles and divide up the duties. 

   1. Historian

   2. Geographer

   3. Entertainment Specialist

   4. Civic Specialist

   5. Business Specialist

4. Decide on how your group will organize and produce an Island Book. 

   1. Introduction

   2. Table of Contents

   3. Chapters

   4. Conclusion

   5. Treasure Map

   6. Index

   7. Bibliography

5.  Set team goals and deadlines. 
   As a group, we recommend you set goals for completing each part of the quest.  Depending on how long you have to work on it each week, your group must decide how much each person should finish during that week.  Write down your goals, and use them to check how well the group is coming along.  

6. Decide on the independent project you want to do.

   1. Brochure

   2. Multi-media presentation

   3. Travel Tour

   4. Poster

Step 2 - Research Facts

1. Gather information as a team.

2. Complete the sections in the research guide.

3. Take good notes and write down your sources.

4. Be sure that all of the island names, places and information are spelled correctly.

Step 3 - Creating Copy 

Using your research guide you will write about your island in a way that would make someone want to go there someday. Your section of the island book must include the following:

1. An interesting title and beginning that grabs a reader’s attention.

2. Three to four interesting island facts with details.

3. At least one illustration with a caption.

4. A conclusion that will make a person want to know more.

Step 4 - Proofing Copy

Everyone who makes a professional presentation hires a professional proofreader to make their copy better. You will work with adults and students to improve your writing. Revise your copy by adding information, reorganizing information or taking out information that is unnecessary.

1. Read through your rough copy with a proofreader and look for ways to revise your work.

2. Read through your rough copy with a proofreader and look for ways to edit your work.

3. Be sure you agree with the suggested changes.

Step 5 - Designing or finding graphics

Explore sample brochures, picture books or the Internet to get ideas for the pictures you want in your project. Work with teammates to collect or design the graphics that will make your words come alive! Work together to create a treasure map that is colorful, detailed and very neat!

Step 6 - Presenting the final project and map

Once your expert research team completes the project , you will deliver an oral presentation to promote your island.  Each expert will be responsible for talking about his or her part of the research. Discuss the cultural  features, one at time, based on your expert role.  Make sure everyone has a chance to share his or her knowledge and be respectful of your expert teammates while they're speaking.  Remember those tips for group work that you looked at earlier! 

Expert Roles

Experts on the research team will investigate their particular role by visiting a variety of web sites, brochures, and library books and collecting information. Record the distinguishing facts you learn about each of the islands you visit on your journey in your research packet. Your teacher will be grading your packet for its accuracy, neatness, and completeness.  Be sure to write down all the facts you learn as neatly as possible. This will help you and your team of researchers narrow down the distinguishing culture of your island.

Historian

Environmentalist 

Entertainment Specialist

Civic Specialist

Projects

Each group will create an Island Book  that will promote their island. The project will be completed as a group. Some students may want to be responsible for a section of the project while others may want to specialize in an area and work on the project as a whole. Your whole group must come to a consensus on the way they want to present their Caribbean research.  You will also be responsible for creating an independent project. Below is a list of the different projects to select from. 

Introduction I Task I Your Job! I Steps I Web Links I Projects I Evaluation I Teacher Page

Caribbean Links

The following links will teach you a lot about your island. Good luck and take good notes.

Cuba, 
Puerto Rico, 
Jamaica, 
Dominican Republic  
and Haiti.  

Conclusion

Congratulations Mates!  Your presentation has ended but you have just started you exploration of the world. Culture exists throughout the world and you have only learned about one tiny yet important island in this huge world.

Evaluation

We have included links to the evaluation pages, where you can learn how your work on this WebQuest will be graded.  We recommend taking a look at each page so that you can make sure you are doing everything that is expected of you to the best of your ability!

Your work on this WebQuest will be evaluated on an individual and group level.  Your individual work will count as 1/2 of your grade, and your group work will count as 1/2 of your grade.  Individual work includes the notes you keep in your research packet and your individual writing and design contribution  to the final presentation and your independent project. Your group work grade is determined by how you work with your teammates and your final presentation of your project to the class. Your teacher has evaluation charts to use when grading your work.  You will complete a self evaluation form which you will turn in when you complete your project.

Research Packet Evaluation

Group Presentation Evaluation

Final Self Evaluation Form

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Introduction I Task I Your Job! I Steps I Web Links I Projects I Evaluation I Teacher Page