Pennsylvania History!

Introduction

Calling all Travel Agents!!

It is YOUR job to explore Pennsylvania's past to unlock intriguing facts about our state! Your goal is to show why Pennsylvania would be a perfect place to visit. You need to convince as many people as you can why they should visit this beautiful, exciting state.

Ready, Set, GO!.....

Task

Pennsylvania Project

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKQmlYgDXJk width:420 height:315 align:center]

Throughout this WebQuest, you will record your research in your journals, on loose leaf or on a Word Document. Then, you will create a brochure about Pennsylvania. Your job will be to persuade people from around the world (your classmates) to visit Pennsylvania. Be sure to use the rubric as a guide!

Everyone will be assigned to a group of 4
Each group member will research a specific topic about Pennsylvania
Each member will be expected to become experts on their topic

Topics include: Tour Guide, Investigator, Historian, Water/ Weather Watcher

After your research is done, you will return with your group and create a travel brochure convincing people to visit Pennsylvania
Finally, using all of the information gathered from your group, you will independently write at least one page reflection about Pennsylvania and why people should vacation here! This can be done sing Microsoft Word.

Process

There are two parts to this assignment. Be sure to complete part 1 independently and part 2 as a group.

Part 1: Research

Each group member will research a specific topic about Pennsylvania.
I have listed some websites to get each role started! Feel free to use them, but you may also use other informative sites on the Internet!
You may document your findings in your journal, on loose leaf or on a Word document. This information will be collected
The 4 roles and responsibilities are:

Historian:

The group member assigned to research the important historical facts must find at least 6 historical facts that you think are important. You may include, but not limited to: important people in Pennsylvania history, important historical events and any other historical facts you find interesting and informative.

Tour Guide:

The group member assigned to research the attractions/places to visit must find at least 6 visitor sites. Some examples of visitor sites are museums, theme parks, restaurants and national parks.

Investigator:

The group member assigned to research facts about Pennsylvania must find at least 6 INTERESTING facts. An example of this could be "Did you know that...". Your job is to simply find facts that many people may not know about Pennsylvania.
http://www.50states.com/facts/pennsylvania.htm
http://www.pennsylvania-mountains-of-attractions.com/pennsylvania-facts.html
http://www.movoto.com/pa/pennsylvania-facts/

Water/Weather Watcher:

- The group member assigned to research landforms/bodies of water and weather will find information about any mountain ranges, and lakes or rivers. This person will also research the weather in Pennsylvania. Be sure to find the weather for each season.

- http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/usstates/paland.htm

- http://www.fow.org/about-park

- http://www.schuylkillriver.org

PART 2: Brochure

One brochure per group
After all group members have organized their information, the group will come back together to create a travel brochure. The brochure will contain at least three examples from each of the 4 topics researched.
Each group will make the brochure by folding a piece of construction paper three ways. You may design the brochure any way your group decides. However, you must include all information, as well as pictures from the Internet or creative drawings.
Be sure to include headings for each part of your brochure
After the brochure has been completed, your group will present it to the class.

Evaluation

Pennsylvania WebQuest Rubric

**Will be graded on independent and group work

Brochure

Informative (Includes at least 3 examples from each topic researched) _____/4

Persuasive ______/4

Creative ______/2

Neatness ______/2

Teamwork ______/2

Total group grade: ______/14

Paragraph

Important reasons _______/4

Reasons are fully supported _______/4

Includes all parts of a paragraph _______/4

Grammar, mechanics _______/4

Total independent grade: _______/ 16

Total Project Grade: _________/30

Conclusion

ALMOST DONE, TRAVEL AGENTS!

Now that your research and borchure are complete, it is time to convince people from around the world the most important reasons they should visit Pennsylvania. In a well-organized, well-supported one page or more reflection, you will defend your choices of the most important reasons people should visit Pennsylvania. Be sure to include topic sentences, supporting details, and a conclusion. This is your opportunity to get creative and be persuasive!