Brief Description

This WebQuest will be used during the integrated Middle Ages unit taught by the social studies teacher and the language arts teacher. Students will be placed into groups of 4 and given roles to play (serf, peasant, clergy, noble). They will research questions provided to find the information to help them in constructing their medieval manor and then use role playing to present it to the class.

Standards and Frameworks

Technology Standards

• 5T-E1 Locate information from electronic resources
PO1 Identify electronic research sources
• 5T-E2 Evaluate the accuracy, relevance, appropriateness, comprehensiveness
PO2 Gather research from a variety of electronic sources
• 6T-E1 Determine when useful
PO1 Based on problem selected by student: collect data, interpret data, develop a solution, and present findings

Social Studies Standard 1 – History

• 1SS-E8. Demonstrate and apply the basic tools of historical research
PO5 Assessing the credibility of primary and secondary sources and drawing sound conclusions from them

• LS-E3 Prepare and deliver an oral report in a content area and effectively convey the information through verbal and nonverbal communications with a specific audience

Academic

• Students will use learning gained through social studies and language arts classes, as well as through the webquest, to create a final project that will demonstrate their understanding of the medieval manor system.
• Students will work together cooperatively to construct their manor and to create and practice their presentation to the class

• Students will access information from the Internet to further their understanding of the feudal system and the Middle Ages.

• Accessing web addresses
• Keyboarding

• Computer
• WebQuest on my web page
• Organizers (on the WebQuest) to gather information
• Pencils
• Social studies text and notes
• Catherine, Called Birdy novel
• Large piece of stiff cardboard
• Construction paper
• Glue
• Popsicle sticks
• Tissue paper
• Yarn
• Any other materials students collect for the construction

Cooperative grouping allows for SEI and Special Education students to work with regular education students to complete a project. No group will be composed solely of SEI or Special Education students. Their roles and parts within the group to construct the manor will be appropriate to their abilities. These students will also be allowed additional time in seminar or after school to work on their projects.

Gifted students will be able to extend their learning and their presentations by accessing the “Extensions” portion of the webquest, using and presenting information not required. These students can make alternative presentations, additional constructions, or create an additional, more advanced project of their choosing.

Procedures

• Students will be divided by the teacher into groups of 4, making sure no group is made up of only SEI or Special Education students.
• Each student in each group will decide on his/her role—serf, peasant, clergy, or noble.
• Students will be taken to the computer lab to work on the WebQuest in their groups.
• Students will access the WebQuest from web page http://www.amphi.com/teachers/pnewton/
• They will click on “Medieval Manor WebQuest” on the left side of the web page.
• They will have one week to complete it. All parts of the WebQuest are on the web page.
• Students finishing early can either access the “Extensions” page to gain more background information, create an additional project, or begin designing their manors.
• Following their completion of the WebQuest, students will be given one week of class time to construct the model of their manor using information from social studies, language arts, and their investigation on the internet. They will be responsible for designing it, gathering materials, and creating the manors, which represent their medieval “lives.”
• The third week will be devoted to students preparing their manor presentations, practicing them, and then presenting them using role-play.

The assessments are contained in the WebQuest itself under “Evaluation.” Students will be peer-rated and teacher-rated using rubrics (also contained in the WebQuest itself) to evaluate cooperation within groups and the final project—a 3-D construction of a medieval manor using information found through the WebQuest, as well as their role-playing presentation.

Teacher Name: Phyllis Newton
Site: La Cima Middle School
Date Submitted: March 9, 2004