The Great Expedition!

A WebQuest for 4/5 Grade (Social Studies)

Designed by

Kathleena Knelson & Jillian Boquist


k_knelson@hotmail.com, jillianboquist@hotmail.com

 

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher


Introduction                                               

You are working as a clerk for the Northwest Company in Montreal. Your employer, Mr. Beaver has heard rumors of vast wealth that is to be had in the fur trade at Fort Langley. He has posted an opportunity for two employees to travel as a team to the fort to get information that will help to expand the company’s role in the fur trade.  Congratulations! You have been chosen as one of the explorers on the expedition team! If you succeed in this task, you will gain ample wealth and a secure partnership in the company.

Good Luck and may you return safely!          

                                             
The Task     

The final task of your expedition team is to present your discoveries in either a role-playing activity or an oral presentation. One of you will be the captain and one of you will be the navigator. You will take all of the information you have found and compile it into your presentation.  

                                                                                                      

*The two explorers will be responsible for individual tasks. However, you will work as a team to present your findings to Mr. Beaver.

                                                               

 The Process  

 

STEP 1:  Your teacher will put you in pairs.  One of you will be the Captain, and one of you will be the Navigator.  

STEP 2:  Your task is to embark on an expedition and to record your discoveries as a journal entry for each task. You will be responsible for discovering the answers to the Questions. 

Role of Captain: to find out about the ways of the fur trade (culture, people, articles traded).

Role of Navigator: to find out what supplies are needed to take on the expedition.

 Mr. Beaver demands the following information:

·        Supplies needed for the expedition.

·        Supplies needed for trading.

·        Ways of the fur trade.

        a)     Go to the Online Resources and Questions      
        to discover the answers to the questions.

b)    Enter the answer in your journal (following Rubric expectations given by your teacher).

c)     Record at least three more interesting discoveries you have made from your research.  

 

 

 

STEP 3: You will use a computer program (Inspiration) to create a brainstorm bubble map that will organize your journal information. This will help you organize your ideas for your final presentation. 

 

STEP 4:  You have returned from your expedition, and it is now time to present your discoveries to the company.  Your presentation can be done in your choice of either a role-play activity or an oral presentation.  
From your journal entries and the brainstorm bubble map the two of you will have information that will help guide the company's expansion in the fur trade in the West. Your presentation must address:

  • What the people need in order to travel there (supplies).
  • The supplies needed for trading in the fur trade.
  • The system of the fur trade (the people and the culture)
  • What they will encounter in the new area in the West.

 


Evaluation

Your team of two will be graded on the following criteria. 

Activity:

Beginner Job!
2

Fine Job!

3

Great Job!

4

Super Job!

5

 Score Total

 

Journals

 

Student does not have all questions answered in journal.
Journal is not organized.
Did not search all websites.

 

 

Student answers most questions in journal with limited detail.
Journal is mostly organized and neat.
Searched all websites.

 

Student answers all questions in journal with detail. Includes extra information.
Journal is neatly organized with headings.
Searched all websites.

Student answers all questions in journal, making connections to prior knowledge.
Includes extra information.
Journal is very neatly organized with headings.
Searched all websites.

 

 

Concept/Bubble Map

 

 

Student spends little time and effort, and has less than four bubbles.

Student has put some effort to construct map, and has at least six bubbles.

Student's map is detailed with at least eight bubbles. effort is Student works productively.

Student's map is extremely detailed with at least ten bubbles.  
Student works productively.

 

 

Presentations

 

Criteria discussed in class

 

 

 


Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully completed the Great Expedition! You have returned safely from the west learning about the ways of the fur trade. With the help of your journal entries and  concept map you were able to present you discoveries of the fur trade to the Mr. Beaver and the Northwest Company. Well Done Explorers! 

 


Credits & References

  • See "Online Resources and Questions" link for list of resources.

Special Thanks To:

Mary O'Neill  &  George Kelly

Last updated on August 15, 1999. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page