THINK..like an Egyptian!

Think like an Egyptian Webquest

Heather Norris

Subject: Social Studies

 

Grade: 2nd

 

Number of Students: 20-25

 

 

This WebQuest is aligned with the following Standards of Learning for Second Grade:

Social Studies 2.1: The student will explain how the contributions of ancient China and Egypt have influenced the present world in terms of architecture, inventions, the calendar, and written language.

Communication and Technology K-2.6: Communicate effectively with others (e.g., peers, teachers, experts) in collaborative learning situations.
          A.     Use technology tools for individual and collaborative writing, communication, and presentation activities.
                      ·   Use word processing to practice writing skills.
                        ·    Use common graphic and presentation tools when preparing and providing presentations.
         B.    Recognize tools useful for communication.
                        ·    Identify how different technologies appeal to different senses.

Objectives:

1.     Students will identify key aspects of life in Ancient Egypt including architecture, inventions, and written language.
2.     Students will be able to explain how contributions of Ancient Egypt have influenced the present world.
3.     Students will use technology to research their chosen topic and create a brochure to accompany their findings.

 

 

Big Questions:
1. Why is it important to know about ancient civilizations?
2. How would your life be different today without the contributions from these civilizations?
3. What technology tools can you use to share what you’ve learned with other students?

Process:

 

1. A class discussion will open up the lesson and activate background knowledge on the topic. Using a video on the SMARTboard, students will participate in a group discussion.

 

 

2. Students are placed in groups of 3-4 per group. Each group needs access to a computer or tablet and their travel journals.

 

 

3. Students will then begin the Webquest with the link provided  by reading through the introduction page. The teacher will act as a guide during this process.

 

 

4. Students will complete the tasks in the WebQuest as a group, however each individual is responsible for the information they include in thier travel journals. Foldables within their travel journals will include information for them to complete while reading through the links provided on the WebQuest.

 

 

5. Over the course of the week, students will complete each task within their group using the rubric for reference.

 

 

6. At the completion of the WebQuest, each group will complete the travel brochure handout given to them. They must include all areas of the brochure and at least one image on their brochure. The students will participate in a class disscussion about their findings and what they found most interesting during their research.

 

 

7. Students will present their travel brochures during a moc-Egypt Convention held among other 2nd grade classes. They will have to "sell" the idea of traveling to ancient Egypt to their peers.

 

Materials:

 

• Computers

• Travel Journals

• Brochure Templates

• Handouts and foldables for journals

• Markers

• Crayons

• Glue

• Scissors

• Colored paper

• Pencils

 

Here are some examples of handouts or foldables I found for purchase during the planning of this Webquest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessment:

 

Using a rubric, students will be assessed on areas such as content, understanding, creativity, and grammar. Students are given the rubric during the Webquest. The journal foldables are assessed during research and will be used as a formative assessment.

 

Upon completion of the WebQuest and lesson, students will present their group projects.

 

 

User Test Results and Changes:

 

I had my 5th-grade cousin and family complete the activity. While my cousing has already learned about ancient civilizations, he did still enjoy the activities. He liked the idea of working with his peers to create a final project. My family found the idea of an interactive travel journal to be more engaging than regular read and write journal entries. My aunt is an elementary school teacher and she suggested adding more images to the Webquest to make it more visually appealing. I made a number of changes to the activities after I tested it and made sure the websites were hyperlinked for easy access. I think adding video clips may be my next step in improving the Webquest. I love the fact that I can continue to update, add, and change this Webquest to suit the needs of my students each year.

 

Feedback:

 

Please feel free to contact me with any comments or concerns. You can reach me at the email below:

 

hnorris@mail.umw.edu