Trip Home

Purpose

The purpose of this WebQuest is to diversify and enhance the research process through technology. This WebQuest offers students and teachers an alternate method of gathering information and experiences, sometimes unobtainable through printed resources.

Curriculum Standards

This WebQuest was written to be used with students in grades 4 and up. During this WebQuest, students will investigate future choices they will make. The main goal of this quest is to use research skills and interview skills as well as work with presentation and spreadsheet software.

Implementation

Completing this WebQuest will take a substantial amount of time. Please allot approximately two weeks for completion of this WebQuest. Some student may work more quickly than others. Please encourage your students to set goals and to adhere to them. We recommend that you guide their progress by implementing a weekly schedule of task accomplishments. Word docs are available for easier printing. Research, Evaluation and Career.

Week 1: Students will start building the glimpse of the present day in HyperStudio (three computer lab visits)

Week 2: Students will star their future research, note taking, and answering their research guide questions. Students will start gathering cost data and begin entering the information into a spreadsheet. (classroom books and classroom computer)

Week 3: Students will complete the interview, write to their choice college, and complete their spreadsheet. (classroom books and classroom computer)

Week 4: Students will complete their final future slides and get their interview and spreadsheet ready for presenting. Students will practice their presentations and present to the class at end of the week.

Remember that students have access to the Internet and are at risk for venturing beyond the sites provided in this WebQuest. Please monitor their web searching as you are monitoring their progress on this WebQuest.

Teacher's Job:

	It is your job to use this as an addition to any program or series of lessons you already do. It is not intended to be the sole core of research. I strongly encourage you to gather the recommended literature for the core teachings of this unit.
	It will also be your job to teach students "along the way" throughout this WebQuest. The WebQuest is not a teacher. It is a tool for students to gather information. Like any other activity, it will need to be taught, guided and monitored. You may wish to develop additional assessments for each portion of the WebQuest to ensure its appropriate use and for the students to meet your expectations.
	Outlines of lesson plans are available for you. Please make any changes necessary to accommodate to your needs. These are only suggested plans.
	You MUST arrange a schedule in your classroom or in a computer lab for students to have an appropriate amount of time to work on this project. I suggest 30 - 50 minute working sessions.

Student's Job:

	It is the job of the student to use his/her time effectively while engaged in the WebQuest.
	It is his/her job to use the WebQuest as a tool for researching, nothing else.
	It is his/her job to ask for help when necessary-to avoid wasting valuable time.
	It is his/her job to challenge his/her self during the WebQuest.
	It is his/her job to use materials other than the WebQuest, such as literature, to gather information and complete projects.

Lesson Plan Page

Sample Lesson Plans: (change according to your needs!) *Times, duration and use of each plan may change according to teacher/student abilities and/or needs.

Plan 1 Introduce the term WebQuest and show examples.

Plan 2 Model how to use this WebQuest. Show them how to navigate through it and all of the different functions of it; especially how to research using the links.

Plan 3 Develop organization/rotation of computer use in the classroom or lab.

Plan 4 Student Work time - (30 - 50 minute working sessions)

Plan 5 Student Work time - (30 - 50 minute working sessions)

Plan 6 Student Work time - (30 - 50 minute working sessions)

Grading

students are graded according to the rubric. This project is not treated as a research paper but more of a multidisciplinary project building individual goals.