Latin America
WebQuest

by Sharon Whitsel Jones
 
 


 
 

Unit: Grade 6 World Cultures
         Latin America

Indicators:
     Locate places, cultural features, and natural features by interpreting maps, pictures, and text.

     Obtain, interpret, evaluate, organize, and use print and non print sources of information such as maps,
     charts, globes, graphics, and tables.

Information
Technology Indicators:
     Create a multimedia presentation which incorporates text, graphics and sound to communicate ideas.

     Use Internet resources to conduct research on a given topic.

Menu

To complete your investigation of Latin America, click on the appropriate step below:
 

Step Research Process Research Activity
One Introduction
  • Developing questions
Two Task
  • Background
Three Resources
  • Using the Internet
  • Using Electric Library
  • Print Resources
Four Process
  • Questions
Five Evaluation
  • Feedback
Six Conclusion
  • "Knowledge is Power"

Introduction

   Latin America is a majestic area of the world to visit. If you've never been to this fascinating area, you might want to begin by taking a brief tour.
   Beyond these tourist stops are the deep routed traditions of Latin America that have been shaped by the geography and history of this area of the world. Let's see how you can win a trip to this rich area of the world.

   Remember to click on your back button in your browser when finished touring to return to this page.

Menu I Introduction | Task | Resources | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion

         The Task

   Imagine that the local bank has offered an all expense two week vacation for some students in your school and their families to a Latin American country of their choosing. In order to win this trip, you must deliver a multimedia presentation to the bank officials about the country you wish to visit.
   Your research on Latin America for your presentation will need to include some of the following:

the geography of the Latin America country
the history of its people including significant events
the politics and political leaders
the traditions and culture of the people
   Your multimedia presentation may be done with PowerPoint or Hyperstudio. It should contain various graphics, text sizes, colors, sounds, and transitions.

Menu I Introduction | Task | Resources | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion

Resources

Using the Internet with Preselected Web sites

Using Electric Library on the Internet (Requires Password)

Using Search Engines

Using Print Resources

Menu I Introduction | Task | Resources | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion

The Process

1. Form a group of four students from your class.
2. Using the map of Latin America, choose one country for group to research.
3. Each group member should choose one of the following topics to research about your chosen country. Use the resources listed in resource section.

Geography
History
Politics
Traditions/Culture
4. Now that each member of your team has become an expert on one aspect of your country, you're ready to combine what you've learned into a multimedia presentation for the bank officials. Your presentation may be done with PowerPoint or Hyperstudio. It should contain various graphics, text sizes, colors, sounds, and transitions. The content should reflect what you learned about the country's geography, history, politics, and traditions/culture. The multimedia presentation needs to include why your researched country would be a good choice for a vacation, too.

Menu I Introduction | Task | Resources | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion

Evaluation

Everyone in your group will receive one grade according to the following rubric.
 

Exemplary Good Satisfactory Needs Improvement
Content Good Level plus:
6 details about each area (geography, history, politics, and culture).		 Satisfactory Level plus:
3 details about each area (geography, history, politics, and culture).		 Correct spelling.
Correct grammar.
Mentions all areas (geography, history, politics, and culture).
Explains why country was chosen.		 Errors in spelling and grammar. Does not address all areas (geography, history, politics, and culture).
Technology Good Level plus:
One scanned graphic.		 Has title card and 9 additional information cards with sounds, 4 graphics, 3 transitions, and 2 text sizes per card. Needs Improvement Level plus:
sounds, 2 graphics, and 3 transitions.		 Has title card and 6 additional information cards with text.
Oral Presentation Good Level plus:
Fluid delivery (shows that the presentation is well rehearsed).		 Satisfactory Level plus: Clear connections in material. Makes eye contact. Clear and understandable.
Uses appropriate language.		 Pauses in presentation.
No eye contact.

Menu I Introduction | Task | Resources | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion

Conclusion

   Latin America is certainly a diverse and complex area of the world. By completing this WebQuest, you've learned strategies for locating places, cultural features, and natural features.
   I hope you feel a new power with this knowledge and can discover more about other areas of the world. Here are some links that may help you discover Canada and Southeast Asia.

CANADA
   Canadiana: The Canadian Resource Page

   Lycos Directory: Countries

   National Atlas on SchoolNet
 

SOUTHEAST ASIA
   Bureau of South Asian Affairs: Country Information

   Bridge to Japan

   Japan Travel Updates

Menu I Introduction | Task | Resources | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion


Last updated August 9, 1999

Please send questions or comments to Sharon W. Jones.