Introduction: This quest was developed to give students in third grade an opportunity to increase their knowledge about communities, through the study of Native American tribes residing on the plains and in the Southwest.

Tasks:

• Read information from books about communities and Native Americans.
• Choose a tribe to research, using various resources.
• Write a summary about your tribe's community
• Make a diorama depicting things you have learned about your tribe.
• Present your findings to the class.

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Process and Resources:

1.  The class will discuss what makes a community.

• What is a population?
• What are basic needs?
• What basic things does every community have?

2. Use your text book to get some background information on Native Americans.

3. Collect information about your tribe using the resourse sites provided.

• What do they build their house out of?
• Describe how they get their food?
• How do they use their natural resources?
• Use land forms to describe the area they live in?
• Find out two other interesting things about your tribe. (ceremonies, religion, customs, clothes)

4. Write a summary of the information you have collected.

• Use complete sentences.
• Intent your paragraphs.
• Use describing words.
• Use your bet spelling and handwriting.

5. Make a diorama.

• Use a shoe box (medium to large size)
• Create a background appropriate for your tribe.
• Include in your diorama anything that would help us know your tribe better.
• Use materials found in and around your house, construction paper, plastic figures, leaves, etc.

6. Make a presentation to the class.

• Give a speech about your tribe

• Dress up in the character of one of your people.
• Use the overhead projector to make a slide show.
• Play some music from the tribe.
• Make a food dish to share with the class.
• Come up with your own special ideas. (Check with teacher to see if it's O.K.)

• Make a presentation using Power Point.

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Evaluation:

Rubric: 

1. Attempted some part of the tasks, turned in something.
2. Followed some instructions, completed part of the task, tried
3. Followed some instructions, completed most of the task, good effort
4. Followed most instructions, completed most of the task, very good effort
5. Followed all instructions, completed task, excellent effort

_____ A. Participated in class discussion on communities.

______ B. Completed text book readings and written assignments.

______ C. Used the web resources to find more information about Native Americans.

______ D. Wrote a summary using the information from the web.

______**. Used complete sentences, intended, good spelling, vivid word descriptions.

______ E. Made a diorama. (Neatness, following instructions, effort, completion)

______ F. Gave class presentation.

______ G. Cooperation with students during project.

______ H. Completed assignments on time.

______ I. Completed self-evaluation about the Native American project.

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 Conclusion and Reflection:

• Upon comletion of the WebQuest the students will have an open house for another class in the school, either another third or fourth grade, and present their projects to their peers.
• After the students have made their presentations, they will write a short reflection about their experiences.

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