My Webquest

A Trip Around the World

A WebQuest on the Continents

Introduction

My adventurous cousin is planning a trip around the world! He knows that he wants to visit one country on each continent, and he is very wealthy, so money is no object. I have told him how smart all of you all are, and he has asked for your help! Below are the countries he has decided to visit. He would like for you to research his destinations in advance, so that when he arrives he will know all about them. Here is a copy of his letter!

The Task

Dear Teri,

As you know, I have been planning my next worldwide adventure for some time now. I plan to leave home in March and return in May. Lucky me, that I can be gone for so long! I have decided to visit one country from each continent except Antartica. I know which countries I want to visit, but I haven't had time to find out very much about them. I need to have more information on these countries so that I can finish my travel plans before it is time to go! Since we have had so many conversations about how smart your students are, I thought I would ask you for their help. I need to know three main things about each country, but any additional information they could gather for me would be really helpful. Here is what I want to know:

1.What is the climate like? I will need to know what the weather is like. Should I pack a swimsuit or a parka? If it changes through the day, I will probably need layers.

2.What sorts of activities will I want to do while I am visiting? Are there any things that I will want to be sure I don't miss? I enjoy having a mix of cultural events and outdoor activities.

3.What kind of foods do the people who live there eat? What grows there? Is there a meal I want to make sure I have while I am there?

4.I always like to bring back an item from everywhere I visit. Please give me some suggestions about what would be good for me to try to find. Are the people there well known for their artwork or fabric? What are they really good at making or doing?

Please be sure to thank your students for me. If they will send me a letter with their findings, I will be sure to send them a postcard from each place I visit!
I will wait for your response so I can get ready to go on my trip.

Sincerely,
Your Favorite Cousin

The Process

1. You have been assigned to a group. Your group has been assigned to one of the following countries:

•North American Continent--- Canada

•South American Continent--- Brazil

•European Continent--- Iceland

•African Continent--- Egypt

•Asian Continent--- Vietnam

•Oceania--- New Zealand

2. Once you know which country you will be researching, you will want to find out all you can about it. You will especially want to focus on the questions you have been asked. Any additional information you can provide will make his trip better!

3. When you are finished with your research, you will be writing a letter to my cousin outlining your findings and recommendations. Be thorough! He won’t know nearly as much as you do!

3. Here are some websites that you will find helpful:

Canada
canada kids
http://www.cgkids.ca/cgkids/maps.asp
canadian geographic
http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas/intro
images canada
http://imagescanada.ca/r1-205-e.html

Brazil
brazil info
http://www.studentsoftheworld.info/country_information.php?Pays=BRA
brazilian food
http://www.maria-brazil.org/brazilian_eating_habits.htm

Iceland
info about Iceland
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107624.html
activities
http://www.iexplore.com/dmap/Iceland/Activities
food
http://www.iceland.is/history-and-culture/Traditions/IcelandicFood/

Egypt
great website
and another one!

Vietnam
all about Vietnam
and there's more

New Zealand
New Zealand and other info
more about Kiwis

Evaluation

Quality of Information

4. Information clearly relates to the main topic. It includes several supporting details and/or examples.

3. Information clearly relates to the main topic. It provides 1-2 supporting details and/or examples.

2. Information clearly relates to the main topic. No details and/or examples are given.

1. Information has little or nothing to do with the main topic.

Amount of Information

4. All topics are addressed and all questions answered with at least 2 sentences about each.

3. All topics are addressed and most questions answered with at least 2 sentences about each.

2. All topics are addressed, and most questions answered with 1 sentence about each.

1. One or more topics were not addressed.

Organization

4. Information is very organized with well-constructed paragraphs and subheadings.

3. Information is organized with well-constructed paragraphs.

2. Information is organized, but paragraphs are not well-constructed.

1. The information appears to be disorganized. 8)

Internet Use

4. Successfully uses suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.

3. Usually able to use suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.

2. Occasionally able to use suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.

1. Needs assistance or supervision to use suggested internet links and/or to navigate within these sites.

Conclusion

Thank you so much for your help! My cousin will have a lot of information to help him decide what to do and where to visit on his travels. I’m sure we will be receiving postcards from all of the interesting places he sees! Which of these places would YOU like to see someday?

Last updated on August 15, 1999. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page