Introduction
How much do you know about Western Europe? In this WebQuest, you will learn about the geography, culture, and economic influence of one Western European country. Your essential questions are as follows:
*What is one physical feature of your country?
*What are some of the unique cultural traditions and celebrations of your country? How are are these similar or different than those valued in the United States?
*What natural resources and industries contribute to the economies of Western European countries? Are any of these resources or industries important to the United States' economy?
Task
You will be completing two of the three tasks for this WebQuest on Western Europe. All three tasks ask you to draw parallels or make connections between Western Europe and the United States.
#1. You will research the physical feature of a Western European country and prepare a slide show that explains the physical feature; you will also make comparisons to how similar and different the landscape and communties are from those found in the United States.
#2. You will research the culltural tradtions and celebrations of your country and choose one area of interest to write a 2-3 paragraph report on.
#3. You will research the population of your country and compare it to the top three U.S. cities. Create a graph using a google app and write a one paragraph reflection that analyzes the data.
#4. EXTRA CREDIT. You will research the natural resources and/ or industries of your Western European country and design an adverstisement that promotes trade between your assigned country and that of the United States.
Process
Task One: 45-60 minutes
*Describe a physical feature
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/
Europe has a vast landscape that ranges from rugged mountains, to major rivers, to gentle meadows. Visit the website above and type in your country's name in the search bar. Click on the link to you country and read through the "Geography" feature. After reading through the description, choose one physical feature to research in more detail by using google. Create a slide show on Google Docs to show what you learned. Make sure to include the following:
-A title which includes your country's name, the name of the landform, and your name as the presenter
-Picture of the landform found in your country
-4 Bullet-pointed facts about this landform (make sure one point describes its general location)
-Example of a similar landform/ physical feature found in the United States
-Cite your sources using MLA format. You may use this website to help you: http://www.easybib.com/
Here's an example using Mexico:https://docs.google.com/a/moqschool.org/presentation/d/1n8wcxLj0zHY4W9JBCFE5qsLriysQuWuSNWI9NXQyD8A/edit?usp=sharing
Task Two: 30-45 minutes
*Describe a cultural tradition or celebration
Europe is known worldwide for its rich cultural traditions. For this task, you will use google to research the culltural tradtions and celebrations of your country and choose one area of interest to write a 2 paragraph report on. Suggested phrasing: "what are the cultural celebrations and traditions in (your country)". After you have found a tradition or celebration that interests you, write a 2 paragraph summary/ reflection. Consider including the following: a brief history of the tradition/celebration, when its celebrated, and how wide spread it is for the people. Also include if there are any traditions in the United States that are similar? Include a picture to accompany your writen description. Avoid using Wikipedia and make sure to cite your sources in MLA format www.easybib.com
Task Three: 45-60 minutes
*Create a graph that compares and contrast the population of a European country to that of the U.S.
Many people assume that European countries are highly populated. In this task, you will research the population of the top three cities in your country. Next, you will research the population of the three largest U.S. cities. Create a double bar graph that compares and contrasts this data. After you have made your graph, write a one paragraph reflection that interprets the data. Make sure to cite your source using MLA format www.easybib.com. Suggested google search: "What is the three largest cities in X". Here's a model of what the graph should look like: https://docs.google.com/a/moqschool.org/document/d/1cEbj-aJ_T8pBOJDPJ2X53jLki99cnBCcofwfXX6fwWQ/edit?usp=sharing We discussed in class what the paragraph would look like
How to make a graph: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHL307YR5gk
EXTRA CREDIT: 30-60 minutes (Completed during class/ Guided Study only)
*Create an adverstisement that promotes trade
The United States receives many goods from the countries of Europe. For this task, you will research the top 20 exports from your European country into the United States. Create an advertisement that showcases one of those exports using a google ap of your choice. The following website will be helpful in determining what products/goods you should include in your ad: http://atlas.media.mit.edu/
For each slide:
-Include a picture of the item
-Include how the export will be used (may bullet point)
-Include why the product is important (may bullet point)
Evaluation
You will be graded on the following:
Accuracy and completeness
Your submitted project should be factually based and complete. Make sure to double check your work. Is the information you presented correct? Did you complete each section according to directions? Did you cite your work in MLA format?
Neatness of your work
Your submitted project should be free of misspellings and punctuation mistakes, easy to read, and all pictures must relate to your content.
Creativity
Your submitted project should reflect originality and effort (in other words, doesn't look rushed). All writen work highlights your voice as an author and pictures reflect the content.
Task 1:
5 points-A title which includes your country's name, the name of the landform, and your name as the presenter
5 points-Picture of the landform found in your country
5 points-4 Bullet-pointed facts about this landform (make sure one point describes its general location)
5 points-Example of a similar landform/ physical feature found in the United States
5 points-Cite your sources using MLA format.
Task 2:
10 points- Both paragraphs are complete. The information is accurate and logical.
5 points- There are no spelling, punctuation, or grammar mistakes
5 points- There are appropriate pictures that reflect your cultural event(s)
5 points- Work is cited using MLA format
Tasks 3:
10 points- graph is accurate and presented in a clear manner
10 points- paragraph makes sense and shows an understanding of the population patterns of both the U.S. cities and of your Western European country's cities
5 points- work is cited using MLA format
Presentation:
5 points-Ready to go when called upon (make sure you have your file ready and organized)
15 points- Able to expand upon and clarify any reasonable questions that your classmates or teacher may ask
5 points- Speaker is respectful and participates in discussion when it is not his/her turn (in other words, is a good audience member)
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this WebQuest. You can receive 1 extra credit point by writing a separate reflection that answers the following questions:
What did you enjoy most about completing this WebQuest?
What did you enjoy least about completing this WebQuest?
If we were to do another WebQuest in the future, what types of activities would you like for me to include on it?
Teacher Page
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Please feel free to email me any questions or concerns. I will do my best to respond within 24 hours.