I planned to do a WebQuest for my final project the week we learned about them. They were fun to do and gave students the opportunity to work on the computer, do some research, work in groups, and usually give a presentation of some kind at the end.

My WebQuest will be centered around learning the history behind the Mackinac area. In May, my son's fourth grade class takes a two day trip to Mackinac, visiting Mill Creek, Fort Michilimackinac, Fort Mackinac and the Island. While it's always a great trip, it is pretty fast and furious as we try to stuff as much as possible into our two days, including the cannonball contest at the hotel. I think the opportunity for students to learn a little about the area before we leave could help enhance the educational aspects of the trip, at least that's my hope.

I will need to do some research on the area, especially related to our stops. I think I'll have the students be WebQuest Time Travelers, possibly French fur traders exploring the area for the first time (bring in some Geography). I would like them to write some short journal pages about their adventures (LA), including meeting the man who started Mill Creek and learning about his contributions to the beginning of the lumber/building industry. I will have them trade their furs (what kinds?) at Fort Michilimackinac right around the time the British decided to move the fort to the Island (why?). They will then travel to the Island and maybe bring in something to do with the Mackinac Bridge. Since they are Time Travelers, they can compare traveling across the lake in a boat (what kind?how long? hazards?) to using a bridge. A "visit" to the Island will have them searching key "points" we usually visit while on the Island - Devil's Kitchen, Arch Rock, and, of course, the Fort (How was life different? What's the oldest building in Michigan? For what was a Blockhouse used?, etc.)

I hope to learn how to put together a WebQuest and test it out on my own kids to see how well it works. It's a great tool for "differentiation" - the newest buzz word - in a classroom with students of highly varying abilities. I would think one of the toughest jobs for a teacher would be to challenge the higher achieving students, help the lower achieving students, all while teaching to every student in-between. WHEW! The opportunity for a fun WebQuest for students whose other work is finished may be an incentive to get their work finished. Different Quests could be geared toward different levels, too, without anyone knowing (ie: lower achieving students given a little easier one but still expected to complete and present). With upper el students, they could learn how to make one of their own and have a "pool" of student-made Quests and a random drawing by each student for the Quest they would have to do.

Just some thoughts...I had better get started.