Information Investigators

A WebQuest for 4th Grade 

(Language Arts and Social Studies)

Designed by Alison West

awest@franklincollege.edu

Introduction

This lesson is meant to give students a glimpse of a famous person from our own state of Indiana..

Students will be put into pairs and will be given a choice between three different famous Hoosiers to focus on. They must then research their chosen topic to create any type of final presentation that they choose. This presentation can be anything from a book to an interview to a skit, as long as it is accurate and engaging for the group's peer audience.

Learners

This WebQuest is intended for fourth grade students and is focused on Language Arts, with some Social Studies tied in as the students explore important members to society. All students should connect well to this assignment-- they should become engaged as they have the freedom to choose their own final projects. The possibilities are left open so that students may explore what suits them.

Learners will need to have note-taking skills, organizational skills, and must be able to compile information into a meaningful presentation. Learners must also know how to write a bibliography for the sources they use as they research.

Curriculum Standards

Indiana Academic Language Arts Standards Addressed

• 4.2.5    Compare and contrast information on the same topic after reading several passages or articles.       
• 4.4.1   Discuss ideas for writing. Find ideas for writing in conversations with others and in books, magazines, newspapers, school textbooks, or on the Internet. Keep a list or notebook of ideas. 
•  4.7.11   Make narrative presentations that relate ideas, observations, or memories about an event or experience, provide a context that allows the listener to imagine the circumstances of the event or experience, provide insight into why the selected event or experience should be of interest to the audience.

• 4.4.2   Select a focus, an organizational structure, and a point of view based upon purpose, audience, length, and format requirements for a piece of writing.

• 4.2.9   Recognize main ideas and supporting details presented in expository 

• 4.4.7  Use multiple reference materials and online information (the Internet) as aids to writing.

• 4.4.8     Understand the organization of almanacs, newspapers, and periodicals and how to use those print materials.

• 4.2.1  Use the organization of informational text to strengthen comprehension

• 4.2.8    Identify informational texts written in narrative form (sometimes with undeveloped characters and minimal dialogue) using sequence or chronology.
• 4.2.7    Follow multiple-step instructions in a basic technical manual.

Process

Part 1: Researching
1. Using the links and resources below, research your topic with your partner.
2. Take notes as you read through your sources-- don't forget to keep track of your sources so you can make a bibliography! Look for information such as: where your Hoosier was born, their childhood background, what they are known for, major accomplishments, and where they are today. Did your famous Hooiser stay in Indiana for a long time?

Part 2: Compiling


1. Organize the notes that you have taken about your famous Hoosier.
2. Your final presentation will be your own creation. There are many different types of presentations that you can put together. For example, you might choose to do a talk show interview with your famous Hoosier. You might write a news article or compose an informational book. You might even make a skit and act as your famous Hoosier. There are many possibilities. Make sure that the information you use is accurate and describe your famous Hoosier with many details. Both partners must participate with the creating and  presentation of your project.
3. You will present your project to the class. If your project can be turned it, it will be done after you share it. Whether your presentation can be turned in or not, you will also need to turn in a very detailed written description or script after your presentation. All groups must turn in the collection of notes as well as a bibliography page.

This lesson is organized to fit into at least three class periods-- students will do the research and note-taking in one class period, put together a final presentation in the next class period, and presentations will be made during the third class period. Additional time may be necessary depending upon the nature of the student's final project.

Students will be matched with partners by the teacher.

The teacher must have extensive background knowledge on each famous Hoosier. The teacher must be familiar with the information from each source in order to evaluate the accuracy of information presented within the final projects.

Resources Needed

• One computer per group for research purposes.
• Paper and pencils for note-taking
• Larry Bird by Sean Dolan (possibly multiple copies)
•  Legendary Hoosiers by Nelson Price (possibly multiple copies)
• Resources for the final projects will vary, depending upon what students choose.

This lesson should not take a lot of extra human resources. Students should be able to work together easily and the teacher will serve as aid as the students need it. 

Evaluation

Credits & References

The WebQuest Page   

Design Patterns

We all benefit by being generous with our work. Permission is hereby granted for other educators to copy this WebQuest, update or otherwise modify it, and post it elsewhere provided that the original author's name is retained along with a link back to the original URL of this WebQuest. On the line after the original author's name, you may add Modified by (your name) on (date). If you do modify it, please let me know and provide the new URL.