Brief Description

During this WebQuest students will be asked to research the Bubonic Plague to determine its cause, symptoms, who it affects, and when it was spreading rapidly in The Middle Ages.  They will then write a friendly letter to warn a relative or friend of the disease.

Standards and Frameworks

Technology Standards

• 3T-E2. Use a variety of technology tools for data collection and analysis
• 5T-E1. Locate information from electronic resources

• W-E6. Write formal communications, such as personal or business letters, messages, directions and applications, in an appropriate format and for a specific audience and purpose.

Academic

Students will analyze data about the Bubonic Plague to write a friendly letter to a relative or friend warning them about the disease.

Technological

• Students will use a computer with Internet capabilities to research the Bubonic Plague and them analyze the information to determine the cause, symptoms, who it affects, and when it spread rapidly through The Middle Ages.
• Students will use word processing and/or multimedia software to present their information.

• Basic computer skills
• Basic understanding of saving and opening documents
• Previous experience in the basics of Microsoft Word
• Basic skills required navigating the Internet

• Computer with Internet Access
• Microsoft Word or any publishing software
• Television
• Averkey or Projector

Gifted – Students can be given the opportunity to choose one of the more complex topics to research.  There are a few topics listed that require outside research.

SEI – Students may write the letter together if his/her written language is low or write the letter in their native language.  They could use the site Blowfish for easy conversion on words they don’t know.

Resource - Students with higher reading abilities can be placed with lower level readers. Students with difficulty concentrating can use written text or the assignment can be modified (less criteria to cover).

Procedures

1. Explain that the students will be working in assigned groups with assigned tasks.
2. Project the WebQuest onto the television (AverKey) or screen (projector) review what the students will be completing.
3. Click on www.amphi.com/teachers/sgilbertson/ and point out that the WebQuest is on the left navigation bar.
4. As a class, read through the Introduction, Task, Process, Evaluation, and the conclusion section of the WebQuest.
5. Ask the students if they have any questions.
6. Assign each student the team they will be working with.
7. Head to the computer lab.  When the students first get there, they will decide who will “play” each role.
8. Have teams read the Task and Procedures of the WebQuest again.
9. Answer any more questions that they may have about the WebQuest
10. Have teams look at the Evaluation section and answer any questions that they may have about how their presentation will be evaluated.
11. Discuss the importance of participation by every member of the team as they are working together on this project.
12. Teams will complete the WebQuest and write their friendly letter.

The friendly letter will be assessed with the rubric on the Evaluation page.

Teacher Name: Susie Gilbertson
Site: Harelson Elementary
Date Submitted: January 5, 2004