Space Buddies Seeking Best Texas Region

This WebQuest is designed for fourth grade students to explore the four different regions of Texas including the Coastal Plains, North Central Plains, Mountains and Basins, and the Great Plains. Students will learn the special features of each region including the climate, landmarks, animals, a city within the region, and vegetation by exploring the websites, videos, and maps provided. Students will work individually to create a final product to persuade outer space friends which is the best region for their new home. This WebQuest will take two days for students to explore and learn the information. Then it will require an additional two days for students to create their final products and prepare for their presentations. Students will need some background knowledge of the regions. The WebQuest will be most useful if teachers use it after a lesson of identifying and locating the four regions in Texas, instructing how to record notes using the format of note taking, and how to cite the information in their project. Students will also need to know prior to the WebQuest how to use the Web 2.0 tools Popplet, Prezi, and Glogster.

Standards

TEKS:
113.15. Social Studies, Grade 4
4.6 Geography. The student uses geographic tools to collect, analyze, and interpret data. The student is expected to:
4.6A Apply geographic tools, including grid systems, legends, symbols, scales, and compass roses, to construct and interpret maps

4.7 Geography. The student understands the concept of regions. The student is expected to:
4.7B Identify, locate, and compare the geographic regions of Texas (Mountains and Basins, Great Plains, North Central Plains, Coastal Plains), including their landforms, climate, and vegetation

4.8 Geography. The student understands the location and patterns of settlement and the geographic factors that influence where people live. The student is expected to:
4.8C Explain the geographic factors such as landforms and climate that influence patterns of settlement and the distribution of population in Texas, past and present.

4.21 Social studies skills. The student applies critical-thinking skills to organize and use information acquired from a variety of valid sources, including electronic technology. The student is expected to:
4.21C Organize and interpret information in outlines, reports, databases, and visuals, including graphs, charts, timelines,and maps

4.22 Social studies skills. The student communicates in written, oral, and visual forms. The student is expected to:
4.22D create written and visual material such as journal entries, reports, graphic organizers, outlines, and bibliographies


126.7. Technology Applications, Grades 3-5
(2) Communication and collaboration. The student collaborates and communicates both locally and
globally using digital tools and resources to reinforce and promote learning. The student is expected to:
(A) draft, edit, and publish products in different media individually and collaboratively;
(E) evaluate the product for relevance to the assignment or task; and
(F) perform basic software application functions, including opening applications and creating,
modifying, printing, and saving files.

(3) Research and information fluency. The student acquires and evaluates digital content. The student is expected to:
(B) collect and organize information from a variety of formats, including text, audio, video, and graphics;
(D) acquire information appropriate to specific tasks.

(5) Digital citizenship. The student practices safe, responsible, legal, and ethical behavior while using digital tools and resources. The student is expected to:
(A) adhere to acceptable use policies reflecting positive social behavior in the digital
environment;
(B) respect the intellectual property of others;
(C) abide by copyright law and the Fair Use Guidelines for Educational Multimedia;
(D) protect and honor the individual privacy of oneself and others;
(F) practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology; and
(G) comply with fair use guidelines and digital safety rules.


AASL:
1.1.4 Find, evaluate, and select appropriate sources to answer questions.
1.1.8 Demonstrate mastery of technology tools for accessing information and pursuing inquiry.
1.3.1 Respect copyright/ intellectual property rights of creators and producers.
1.4.1 Monitor own information-seeking processes for effectiveness and progress, and adapt as necessary.
2.1.1 Continue an inquiry-based research process by applying critical-thinking skills (analysis, synthesis, evaluation, organization) to information and knowledge in order to construct new understandings, draw conclusions, and create new knowledge.
2.1.2 Organize knowledge so that it is useful.
2.1.4 Use technology and other information tools to analyze and organize information.
2.1.6 Use the writing process, media and visual literacy, and technology skills to create products that express new understandings.
2.2.3 Employ a critical stance in drawing conclusions by demonstrating that the pattern of evidence leads to a decision or conclusion.
3.1.4 Use technology and other information tools to organize and display knowledge and understanding in ways that others can view, use, and assess.
3.1.6 Use information and technology ethically and responsibly.

ISTE NETS*S
3. Research and Information Fluency
Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate,and use information.
b. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media

4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving,and Decision Making
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems,and make informed decisions using appropriatedigital tools and resources.
a. Identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigation
b. Plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project
c. Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions

5. Digital Citizenship
Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior.
a. Advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology
b. Exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity

6. Technology Operations and Concepts
Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations.
a. Understand and use technology systems