Explorers WebQuest

A WebQuest for 5th Grade
Designed by Erika Ringstrom

erings@avondale.k12.az.us

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page

Introduction

Alert!!! A new island has just been spotted off the coast of Newquest. Your countries leaders King X and Queen Y are looking for a few good explorers to set foot on this new land and claim it for your country. The group of explorers that can persuade King X and Queen Y to choose them for the exploration will be rewarded the title of naming the new island after themselves. This island must be claimed for your country before another country claims it along with some of its new found riches.

Task

Every student will research on one of four prominent explorers Christopher Columbus, Hernado DeSoto, Hernan Cortes, John Cabot for background information on what it takes to be an explorer. Students will create an inspiration web for their chosen explorer. Part two of the task, the student will collaborate with their group to create a persuasive PowerPoint presentation to council (the class) as to why their group should be chosen to be the first to explore the new island. The presentation must include traits of a successful explorer gathered from their previous research. The council (class) will decide if the group will be rewarded the task of exploring and claiming the new island utilizing a rubric. As an extension students can also create explorer trading cards using the digital camera. Finally, after the students have presented and shared their persuasive PowerPoint they will write a short story about their travels to the new island.

Process

Your job is to research and understand what it takes to be an explorer. After sharing with your group you will work to persuade the council to choose your team of explorers with a PowerPoint slide show. After being selected to explore the new island you will write a short story on your own about one of your adventures on your exploration.

 

Part 1 

  1. In a group of four, students will research the history of one explorer to gain a better understanding of what it takes to be an explorer.
  2. Each group member must choose a different explorer to complete a research chart for from the following explorers :

    Christopher Columbus
    printable Columbus worksheet
    Sites:
    Columbus Site 1
    Columbus Site 2
    Columbus Site 3
    Columbus Navigation Page

    Hernado DeSoto
    printable DeSoto worksheet
    Sites:
    DeSoto enchanted learning link
    DeSoto link created by students in Florida
    Hotlist of Explorers

    Hernan Cortes
    printable Cortes worksheet
    Sites:
    Cortes Link 1
    Cortes Link 2
    Cortes Link 3
    Enchanted Learning Cortes

    John Cabot.
    printable Cabot worksheet
    Sites:
    John Cabot
    John Cabot enchanted learning site
    John Cabot biography

     

  3. Every group member must complete a research chart for their chosen explorer. This is your chance to find out what it takes to be an explorer venturing out to a new world. Make sure to record the source of your information.
  4. After all research has been completed for your explorer create an inspiration web with the information that you have collected.
  5. Your group member will be grading you on your research with the inspiration web rubric. 
  6. After sharing and grading with your group you are ready for your persuasive slideshow presentation for King X and Queen Y!

 

Part 2 Persuasive PowerPoint

  1. As an exploration group you are now ready to create your persuasive slideshow presentation. You may use some of your explorer information from your inspiration webs to add to your presentation for extra persuasion.
  2. Read and understand the slideshow rubric. This is important for your presentation for the council. The council is otherwise known as the class. The class will grade your presentation. Remember your goal is to be selected to explore the new island. Your group can have the privilege of naming the island along with claiming any riches that the island has to offer.
  3. A good persuasive argument must have main ideas with supporting details. Use this main idea chart as an example for identifying your main argument with supporting details. Complete your own chart for your groups arguments.
  4. As a group you need to work cooperatively to create your presentation. Everyday of work on your presentation you will be required to complete the cooperative group evaluation and hand in to your teacher.
  5. When your presentation is complete review the rubric with your slideshow one final time before presenting to the council. Use the skills you have learned from past explorers and your cooperative teamwork to explore the new island!!!
  6. If you are the overachieving group that finished a bit early before the others are ready to present to the council you may be interested in creating some explorer trading cards to publicize your groups to the council. With a digital camera and a little bit of teacher assistance you can create a great trading card.

Part 3 Writing a Short Story

  1. The votes are in and your group has been selected for exploration of the new island. Pack your bags and say your good-byes, you are about to venture off to new territory. Use your imagination to write about one event that happens to you or your group along your journey. Use the short story rubric, short story slide show, and in-class instruction to write your story. Happy trails!

Evaluation

You will be graded on four components. Listed below are the four rubrics that you will need to follow to complete this quest successfully.

Inspiration Research Web rubric

Cooperative Group work rubric

Persuasive PowerPoint rubric

Short Story Rubric

Conclusion

Whenever starting something new you will have people who might doubt you. To truly become successful as an explorer you had to do some background research first before your presentation. To fully understand what you want to do it is important to look at others struggles and successes first. After looking at past explorers it was up to you to use some of these skills to support your persuasive argument to be the first group of explorers to set foot on the new island. When you plan ahead the rewards can be endless when you achieve your goal.

For final reflection answer the following questions: What does it take to be an explorer? What are some of the trials that an expedition group must go through before setting out on a journey? What other journeys will you take in your life that will be difficult or you may have to persuade someone to support you?

Credits & References

 Ship picture from the top of the page

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contact me: erings@avondale.k12.az.us

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