Process
This unit is to be taught over a period of 3 weeks, where the WebQuest is the culminating activity to assess the students. The desert should not be taught in first grade until the second or third trimester. This is to ensure the reading skills necessary for adequate learning of the material presented.
Any part of this WebQuest may be changed by the classroom teacher.
If the intended classroom is not in the desert, make a KWL chart or use a Venn Diagram to discuss the comparisons of the desert to the home of the students.
The trip will begin with the discussion of the land that surrounds Las Vegas, NV. The teacher will record the brainstorming process by writing on a piece of butcher paper under the following labels: plants, animals, land forms and climate.
Children's books will provide the proper background knowledge for their quest.
The students are into groups of three by the teacher and are assigned the roles.
The groups have been put together by the teacher prior to the activities. The groups are based on ability levels and can be modified at any time during the WebQuest. The teacher has control of the groups. Each group will be assigned to a computer, given a desert folder to keep their work, and crayons and a pencil.
Within each group, the students will assume one rule throughout the entire WebQuest and during each task below.
The scientist: performs the research and gives the recorder the information to write.
The recorder: writes down the information about the desert Southwest.
The illustrator: draws the pictures both on paper as well as on the computer.
The teacher must facilitate the learning and will assist when needed, especially if the learners are first graders.
The culminating activity may need to modified depending on the needs of the classroom.
The Kid Pix slide show can be shown to the entire class by the group or teacher.
Back