This web quest was developed for fourth grade students
in the state of North Carolina to promote their higher order thinking skills
while discovering interesting places within their state. Prior to
completing the project, students should have been introduced to the three
regions of North Carolina, graphing skills, and the use of the computer
as an internet search engine.
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Objective:
The fourth grade student will work in teams of three to plan a vacation
itinerary for a family of four to travel across North Carolina. The student
will demonstrate a knowledge of North Carolina, analyze various tourist
sites, create a map, and construct a graph on total costs.
North
Carolina Standard Course of Study Objectives:
Social Studies (2002):
1.3 Analyze similarities and differences among North
Carolina's people, past and present.
2.1 Describe traditional art forms and aesthetic values
in North Carolina.
3.1 Describe the absolute and relative location of the
state and places within the state.
3.2 Locate in absolute and relative terms major landforms,
bodies of water, and natural resources in North Carolina.
4.1 Explain how regions are defined, and identify regions
within North Carolina and regions of which North Carolina is a part.
4.4 Evaluate the importance of regional differences in
North Carolina.
6.1 Trace the movement of people, goods, and ideas from
one part of the state to another and between North Carolina and other places.
9.2 Analyze the choices and opportunity cost involved
in economic decisions.
12.2 Assess the influence of an important event from
North Carolina's past on life today.
Technology:
2.1 Use technology tools used to collect, analyze, and
display data.
2.10 Use search strategies to locate information electronically.
3.3 Create a table/graph from spreadsheet data.
3.5 Evaluate information found via telecommunications
for content and usefulness.
English Lanugage Arts:
2.02 Interact with the text before, during, and after
reading, listening, and viewing by:
setting a purpose using prior knowledge
and text information.
making predictions.
formulating questions.
locating relevant information.
making connections with previous experiences,
information, and ideas.
2.05 Make inferences, draw conclusions, make generalizations,
and support by referencing the text.
2.06 Summarize major points from fiction and nonfiction
text(s) to clarify and retain information and ideas.
2.07 Determine usefulness of information and ideas consistent
with purpose.
3.05 Integrate information from two or more sources to
expand understanding of text.
3.06 Conduct research for assigned projects or self-selected
projects (with assistance) from a variety of sources through the use of
technological and informal tools (e.g., print and non-print texts, artifacts,
people, libraries, databases, computer networks).
4.02 Use oral and written language to:
present information and ideas in a
clear, concise manner.
discuss.
interview.
solve problems.
make decisions.
4.03 Make oral and written presentations using visual
aids with an awareness of purpose and audience.
4.10 Use technology as a tool to gather, organize, and
present information.
5.01 Use correct capitalization (e.g., names of languages,
nationalities, musical compositions) and punctuation (e.g., commas in a
series, commas in direct address, commas and quotation marks in dialogue,
apostrophes in possessives).
5.06 Proofread and correct most misspellings independently
with reference to resources (e.g., dictionaries, thesauri, glossaries,
computer spell-checks, and other classroom sources).
Mathematics:
1.18 Solve multi-step problems.
2.7 Estimate and measure length using...miles...and
kilometers.
4.3 Collect, organize and display data from surveys,
research, and classroom experiments including data collected over time.
Include data from other disciplines such as science, physical education,
social studies, and the media.
4.4 Interpret information orally and in writing
from charts, tables, tallies, and graphs.
Information Skills:
4.01 Identify information needs and formulate questions
about those needs.
4.03 Develop a search strategy which includes the
continuous evaluation of the research process and the information gathered.
4.05 Gather information.
4.07 Organize and use information.
4.09 Present information in a variety of formats.
Teaching
Suggestions:
(1) This project will require cooperation with technology
instructor.
(2) Allow four to six weeks for completion of project.
(3) Do not attempt this project until the students are
familiar with the use of the Internet and search engines.
(4) Have an example of a completed project for students.
(5) Monitor the project weekly to get a status report
from each group.
(6) Guide students during the process by having milestones
for completion.
Questions? Email Joy
Hamrick
Carolyn Lee
Trish Parker
Teresa Thomassen