middle

To become familiar with WebQuests at the middle school level, please complete this WebQuest About WebQuests.

Using this Wiki, answer the following questions. 1. Which two of example WebQuests listed below are the //best// ones? Why? The Problem with Landfills was the best webquest. The reason for this is because it was thought-provoking and really made the students have to analyze the area around them. It was written on grade level and easy to follow. The second best was John Wilkes Booth. However, the John Wilkes Booth webquest was voted our second best almost out of the fact that we eliminated the other choices. It was definitely a thought-provoking idea, however the concept may be a little too far fetched for middle school students.

2. Which two are the //worst//? Why? The worst, by far, was the Creative Encounters. Even after spending nearly ten minutes looking into this webquest in great detail, we still have no idea what the purpose of the webquest is. In fact, after reading the first sentence on the "Introduction" page, we were both motivated to stop reading any further. The other webquest voted the "worst" is Ancient Egypt. The reason for this is because it almost seemed like they took a project and just made a webquest for the sake of making it a webquest. It's good a project, but there's not overarching ideas that are instilled on the students upon completion of the project.

3. What do //best// and //worst// mean to you? BEST: age-appropriate; easy to follow; engaging; visually acceptable; realistic time frame and outcome WORST: confusing; wordy; visually unappealing; ends don't justify the means

The Diary of John Wilkes Booth || Fill in the missing pages || The Problem with Landfills || Vote on a site for a new landfill || Ancient Egypt || Explore several aspects of the period || Creative Encounters || Design a new number system || Poetry of War || Create a poem about conflict ||

After looking at WebQuests that other teachers have created, write some possible questions that you might explore in your own WebQuest and add them to the wiki for your grade level. Use the wiki to give feedback on one another's questions.

I would like to explore creating a webquest involving Ellis Island. It is a big topic in my classroom, and I think it is one that would be enhanced by having my students complete a project that involves an immigrant experience during their trip to Ellis Island, while at Ellis Island, and after Ellis Island.