Historical Michigan WebQuest

by Julie VanSickle

Introduction| Task | Resources | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion

Introduction

During what time period of Michigan's history would you most like to live? Each historical time has its own features and is unique in its own way. Your job, as a group, is to plan an informational presentation on an assigned time period (to be determined by teacher) and share your findings with your classmates.

You may encounter the first Native Americans, Underground Railroads, famous inventors and their inventions, wars, exciting entertainment, and much, much more. Let's get ready to travel back in time and find out what makes Michigan an exciting place to live!

Task

Your task will be to explore a wide variety of Michigan's online resources as well as encyclopedias and CDRoms with the goal of creating a 10 card slide show in Kid Pix for the class to view about a specific time period in Michigan's history. It will be your job to gather the information, organize the facts, and present your conclusions in a slide show. Your slide show should display pictures and correct information in a way that is appealing and exciting to those learning about Michigan's history. Groups viewing your slide show want to know the historical significance of Michigan during your given time period.

Enjoy Michigan's past, for the past has determined our present.

Resources to Consider

 

Process

1. Identify the dates of the period of time you will be researching. Each student will be given a specific timeframe in which they will be researching.

2. Locate two other students in the class with whom you will be working.

3. Using the web sites, books and cds provided, look for information about your time period. Take notes as you look. Try find information so you can answer the following questions: (Sample note taking form.)

What is the time period that you are researching?

Who are some of the famous people during this time? Why are these people famous? What did they do?

What kind of clothes did people wear during this time period?

Where did people get their clothes?

What did kids do for fun?

What kind of entertainment was there during this time period?

What would be concidered an important place during this time? Why is this place important in Michigan history?

Are there any important natural resources? What are they? How are they used?

What was invented during this time period?

What was the major industry?

Did any millitary action take place during this time period? Explain

What forms of transportation did people use?

What other important historical information did you find?

 

4. Then use the Historical MI Research Slide Show Presentation sheet and the Planning Sheet to layout a story map of each slide, include a spot for pictures and a title.

5. After doing your planning stage you can return to the internet and other resources and continue gathering important information and pictures to use in your slide show. Continue to take notes and save pictures.

6. Now you will begin to assemble the slide show on your time period. Make sure you try it in Slide show mode to determine how it will look full screen.

7. Finally, present your completed slide show to your class and teacher for evaluation.

 

 

  Evaluation

Students will be graded on the quality of their slide show and completeness and accuracy of the facts about their assigned time period. The following rubric will be used to grade each student:

Historical Michigan Slide Show Research Project Rubric

 

Criteria

Points

1

2

3

4

 

Slide show Historical Content

Less than 3 significant events are present. This includes dates and descriptions.

At least 3 significant events are present. This includes dates and descriptions.

At least 5 significant events are present. This includes dates and descriptions.

At least 6 significant events are present. This includes dates and descriptions.

____

Internet Work

There was no internet used for research.

The student browses but finds no information to use.

The student uses the internet to get information or pictures.

The student uses the internet for both information and pictures.

____

Mechanics

Includes more than 5 grammatical errors, misspellings, punctuation errors, etc.

Includes 3 to 4 grammatical errors, misspellings, punctuation errors, etc.

Includes 2 to 3 grammatical errors, misspellings, punctuation errors, etc.

Grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, etc. are correct. No errors in the text.

____

Oral Presentation Skills

Student mumbles, incorrectly pronounces terms, and speaks too quietly for students in the back of class to hear. Speaker has little or no eye contact with audience.

Student incorrectly pronounces terms. Audience members have difficulty hearing presentation. Speaker has little eye contact with audience.

Student's voice is clear. Student pronounces most words correctly. Fair eye contact is made with the audience.

Student used clear voice and correct, precise pronunciation of terms. Good eye contact is made with the audience.

____

Cooperative Group Work

Student cannot work with others in most situations. Cannot share decisions or responsibilities.

Works with others, but has difficulty sharing decisions and responsibilities.

works well with others. Takes part in most decisions and contributes fair share to group.

Works well with others. Assumes a clear role and related responsibilities. Motivates others to do their best.

____

 

 

 

 

Total---->

____

 

 

Conclusion

 

Throughout this webquest you have become more aware of the rich history of Michigan. Sharing you experience with others has helped them to appreciate how Michigan has become the great state that it is today. You also have practiced and improved your skills in general research, internet research, slide show, science, social studies, language arts, math, technology, and oral presentations.

 

 

 

 

Created by Julie VanSickle

vansicklej@caledonia.k12.mi.us

 

7-25-03

(original by jhoebeke)

Thanks goes to kclark, klacroix, jhoebeke and joldfield for their webquest guidance

Caledonia Community Schools