Introduction

On this WebQuest students will select  a country for their travel brochure. They will proceed to research the  answers to the essential and guiding questions. After finding the answers, they will create a word web using Kidspiration and a Microsoft Publisher brochure. 

After introducing the lesson, the teacher will get students started on their research.   The teacher will guide students throughout the quest  to ensure they follow directions and remain  on task.  Although students are to work independently, the teacher should  be available to answer their questions and provide assistance.

This WebQuest is intended for 3rd grade students, but could easily be adapted for lower and upper grade levels. 

Prior to starting their quest, the teacher should ensure that students become familiar with Microsoft Publisher, Kidspiration,  and how to research the  Internet.

Please review the lesson plan for weekly students activities and the timeline for this project.

Curriculum Standards

In addition to meet both DoDEA's 3rd grade Science and Language Arts Content Standards, this WebQuest also addresses the National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS*S). It could also be adapted to  meet the standards for 4^th and 5^th grades. 

Standards addressed by this WebQuest are listed on the  lesson plan. 

 Process

Teacher will introduce the lesson by reviewing the WebQuest with the students, and proceed to teach  them  how to create a word web using Kidspiration,  and  how to conduct their research.

Students may collaborate with each other, assisting other students with software and questions on how to research the Internet, but should work independently on the content of the project. If they have any questions, the teacher should be available to answer them.

The teacher does not necessarily need to be a WebQuest expert, it is recommended to explore the WebQuest prior to the lesson. It is important that the teacher become familiar and learn the features of Microsoft Publisher and Kidspiration. . 

Possible Variations

Students could ...

	work as a group by choosing countries from the same continent.
	create a  map of the country.
	use  Inspiration or  Microsoft Word to create their word webs
	create a PowerPoint presentation.
	pretend to be reporters for a travel magazine and write articles.
	compile all the articles to create a book or newsletter for the classroom library.

Teachers could ...

	limit the countries by allowing  students to choose from one continent, based on the size of the class, or the unit being taught (e.g. a lesson about Europe),
	adapt this quest to meet 4th Grade Social Studies Content Standards by having students choose a state, instead of country, and answer the following questions:

1.       Who is the state governor?

2.       What is the state motto?

3.       What is the state nickname?

4.       What is the origin of the state name?

5.       When was the state admitted to statehood?

6.       What is the capital city?

7.       What are some of its largest cities?

8.       What are the state symbols?

9.       Which states border the state?

10.   Mention two historic places or monuments

11.   What are the main economic activities?

12.   What is the highest and lowest point?

13.   What is the state area?

14.   Who are two famous people?

In addition, ESL or Foreign Language teachers could adapt this lesson by having students choose countries based on their language.

Evaluation

The checklist provided will ensure that students will follow the requirements and remain on task.  Students should be assessed based on how they follow these requirements.

In addition (or rather than using this checklist), teachers in the upper grades could use  the following rubrics (which includes a rubric for the presentation of the brochure)  found on the Internet: 

	Travel Brochure Rubric
	Presentation Rubric

At the end of the project, it is recommended to conduct a class discussion in which students discuss the part of the assignment they enjoyed the most and which task was the most difficult. The teacher should take their input into consideration for future lessons and projects.

Resources Needed

Software: Microsoft Publisher / Kidspiration / Internet

Hardware: Students computers / Teacher computer with  projector

Other Resources:

	World Traveler WebQuest
	Publisher Tutorial
	Kidspiration/Inspiration Tutorial
	Lesson Plan
	Questions
	Checklist | Word | pdf
	Travel Brochure Rubric
	Presentation Rubric
	Links
	Sample Brochure
	Word Web Template: wordweb_template.kid* | html

Credits & References

Rubrics

	Travel Brochure Rubric
	Presentation Rubric

Standards

	DoDEA Content Standards
	NETS - National Educational Technology Standards

Software Tutorials

	Kidspiration/Inspiration Tutorial
	Publisher Tutorial

WebQuests

	Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators: WebQuests
	The WebQuest Page