Significant people and ideas in Christianity

A Day in the Life Of...
Webquest for 3-5 grades
Written by Paula Fromm ([email protected])& Kris Daniel

Learners:
*This webquest was developed for third through fifth grade students in a
language arts classroom.  It can easily be integrated with the Social Studies
or Science curriculum, depending on the subject of the biography
chosen/assigned.
*This webquest can also be easily adapted or extended to meet standards for
students on any developmental level.

Students must be able to independently read a biography, have basic knowledge
of computer skills and internet use, and have prior experience using graphic
organizers.

Standards:
The following standards can be found at:
 http://www.pde.state.pa.us/k12/lib/k12/RWSLStan.doc

Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening
1.1.Learning to Read Independently
    Purposes for Reading
    Word Recognition Skills  
    Vocabulary Development
    Comprehension and Interpretation
    Fluency
1.2.Reading Critically in All Content Areas
    Detail
    Inferences
    Fact from Opinion
    Comparison
   Analysis and Evaluation
1.3.Reading, Analyzing and Interpreting Literature
    Literary Elements    
    Literary Devices
1.4.Types of Writing
    Informational
1.5.Quality of Writing
     Focus
     Content
     Organization
     Style
     Conventions       
1.6.Speaking and Listening
     Listening Skills
     Speaking Skills
     Discussion
     Presentation       
1.8.Research
     Selection
     Location of Information
     Organization

Additional standards for history may apply for each child depending on the
person chosen for the biography study. 
See: http://www.pde.state.pa.us/k12/lib/k12/RWSLStan.doc

Additional standards may apply for technology as well.
3.7 Technological Devices
        A. Tools
        B. Instruments
        C. Computer Operations
        D. Computer Software
        E. Computer Communication Systems


Process:
  This project will take several days to several weeks to complete depending
on the level of your stduents.   As a teacher, you may wish to preview the
suggested sites in order to become familiar with layouts.  This might assist
you in aiding students.
  Next, you need to give the students directions as to what book they must
read for the bibliography.  You may let them chose anyone they wish, or you
may suggest a certain time era.  I might anticipate students having a hard
time locating information on obscure people, so you might guide them towards
another selection.
  During reading workshop mini-lessons, I would review characteristics of a
bibliography, and I would review the layout of various graphic organizers. 
As students read, I would suggest they keep notes on their graphic organizer
detailing important information they felt necessary to include in their
scrapbook.  You may also have students who are reading identical people work
together to share information. 
  Another minilesson I might suggest is scrapbooking.  Volunteer parents
could describe the general process as well as demonstrtae samples.
  As students begin to gather information, I would present a minilesson on
citing sources in their bibliography. They would then follow the graphic
organizer to complete their source cards as they continue gathering
research. 
  After students finished reading their selected book, they need to begin
working on research.  Here they can use the suggested web sites.
  I would continue to meet with students independently or as a whole group to
check progress and answer any questions that may arise in regards to
bibliography sources or graphic organizers.

Resources:
In addition to the websites listed, students will also need:
-a computer with internet access
-printer
-biography
-arts and crafts supplies in order to create a scrapbook
-possibly a parent expert volunteer to demonstrate scrapbooking

Evaluation:
The students will be evaluated using the two rubrics found in this webquest.
Students must earn a 70% or better, or they must redo their work.

Conclusion:
  This webquest is a valuable tool in assisting students to research and
present information in a creative, non-traditional way.

Credits:
  This webquest was created using TeacherWeb.com.  All graphics are from the
same source library.