Learners

This WebQuest is designed for use with fifth grade students and addresses standards in Social Studies, Language Arts, and Information Literacy. Students who are struggling readers may be challenged by some of the electronic texts. However, the resources vary in length and difficulty and some have significant audio/visual segments or interactivity, which should benefit a variety of learning styles.

Students are assumed to be familiar with navigating websites and should be able to use the WebQuest without assistance. They are also assumed to be familiar with Kidspiration drawing software or another drawing program. Students who do not have these skills could partner with someone who does, so that students can mentor one another. If Kidspiration or similar software is unavailable, students could easily draw webs on paper or use a graphic organizer of your choice.

The final group discussion (in the form of a television talk show) requires the ability to communicate understanding verbally. If you have students for whom this is a problem, alternative methods such as a written paper or creative product could be substituted. In such a case, that student could serve as a "director" or participate in the group discussion in another behind-the-scenes role.