Aim:

    This activity is designed to orientate students with surfing the web and obtaining information from selected websites.  They will gain information on six Native American tribes.  They will use social studies and language arts skills during this activity.

Rationale:

    Students will become familiar with the process of gaining information from the web, while at the same time learning state standard required information in social studies and language arts.

Audience:

        Students in grades 4 or 5 who have a very basic understanding of how to connect to the web and navigate through some simple sites.  They will also need a basic understanding of Microsoft Word.  They will need to know the basic concepts of a Venn Diagram, and a comparison and contrast essay.

Prerequisites:

    A computer for each student that has an Internet connection, and Microsoft Office.

Subject-Matter:

    This project will cover the district and state required information about Native American tribes (16.C.1a, 18.B.2a, 18.C.2).  The information will cover customs, beliefs, location, food, clothing, and housing.  This project will also cover numerous Illinois learning standards in language arts.(1.B.2a, 1.B.2c , 1.C.2a, 1.C.2c , 1.C.2d, 3.A.2 , 3.B.2a, 3.B.2c, 3.C.2b, 4.A.2b, 4.B.2a, 4.B.2b)

Goals and Objectives:

    Students will be able to successfully navigate the web, find useful information on their topic. They will use that information to write a comparison and contrast essay, and give an oral presentation on their subject.

Instructional Plan:

    The instructor needs to create a web page with 10-15 links that will lead students to the main page of a website.  That will allow the students to discover the answers to the questions given in the process portion of the Web quest.  The students will use this information to create a comparison and contrast essay, a poster, and give a presentation.

Materials:

    A computer with Internet access, the provided outline, the social studies textbook, and a pen or pencil.

Assessment and Evaluation:

    Students will be evaluated by the teacher throughout the activity by observations.  At the conclusion of the activity students will be given time to work on their final presentations.  The final project will be graded using the provided evaluation sheet.