Wonders of the World
By Jacquie Zaski
Media Center-5th Grade Lesson
Using Online Resources
Arnold Mill Elementary
Understanding Statement or Essential Question: How can I use online resources
to locate information?
Introduction: There are many mysteries in our world. How were the pyramids built? How
old is the Grand Canyon? Where is the Colossus of Rhodes? Can you visit these wonders?
Use this scavenger hunt to help you unlock these mysteries.
Your Challenge! With a partner, use Grolier Online to discover the answers to the
questions about the wonders of our world. When you finish, complete the Wonders of
the world map activity.
The Questions:
1. The Grand Canyon: Go to Grolier Online; choose The New Book of Knowledge. Type
Grand Canyon in the Find it Fast window. Select choice number 2, the encyclopedia
article. Who was the first European to see the Grand Canyon?
2. Remember that Longitude is the lines that run north and south, and Latitude are the lines
that run east and west on a map. Go to Nystrom Jr. Geographer, (Use your school
password sheet) select “Maps” then “United States”, “Regions”, “Reference Maps”,
“Southwest”. Locate the Grand Canyon on this map and determine the Latitude of the
Grand Canyon in Arizona.
3. A wonder of the Ancient world is the Egyptian pyramids. Go to Grolier Online, choose
Encyclopedia Americana. Type Seven wonders of the World in the Find it Fast window.
Select choice number 1. How long did it take to build the Great Pyramid? Why do you
think they were built near the Nile River?
4. The Great Pyramid of Giza is located near Memphis, in Egypt on the continent Africa.
The city of Memphis, Tennessee is located on the continent of North America. Find a
Climate Map on Maps 101 (Use your school password sheet) After you log in, choose
“Map Collections”, then “Thematic Map Sets”, next “World Thematic Maps” then “Global
Climates”. What are the climate differences between the two cities? Determine the
best way to travel from Memphis, Egypt, to Memphis, Tennessee, in the United States.
5. Colossus of Rhodes: Go to Grolier Online; choose The New Book of Knowledge. Type
Wonders of the World in the Find it Fast window. Select choice number 1, the
encyclopedia article. Read about this ancient wonder. What was the Colossus of Rhodes?
Name a modern structure in the United States that stands in a similar place (an island),
and is close to the same height.
6. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest formation of living organisms in the world. Go to
Grolier Online; choose The New Book of Knowledge. Type Great Barrier Reef in the Find
it Fast window. Select choice number 1, Encyclopedia Article. Why is The Great Barrier
Reef considered a living organism? What is the greatest threat to the reef?
7. Another “Great”: Go to Grolier Online, choose Grolier Multimedia, type Great Wall of
China in the Find it Fast window. Select choice number 1. What has buried part of the
Great Wall of China? Click on the map in the top right corner and determine the desert
to the north of the Great Wall.
Putting It All Together:
Use the World Map to identify the location of each of
these Wonders of the World. Go to Maps 101 (use school password sheet) log in and
select Map Collections > Outline Map Sets > Outline Maps > Continents & World Regions
> World > World > World. Download and print the map without the text. Design a symbol
for each wonder to mark its location on the map. Create a map key so others will
understand your symbols.
The
The
The
The
Great Barrier Reef
Grand Canyon
Great Wall of China
Great Pyramid
Wonders of the World
Answer Sheet
1.The Grand Canyon: Go to Grolier Online; choose The New Book of Knowledge. Type
Grand Canyon in the Find it Fast window. Select choice number 2, the encyclopedia
article. Who was the first European to see the Grand Canyon? ________________
_______________________________________________________________
2. Remember that Longitude is the lines that run north and south, and Latitude are the
lines that run east and west on a map. Go to Nystrom Jr. Geographer, (Use your school
password sheet) select “Maps” then “United States”, “Regions”, “Reference Maps”,
“Southwest”. Locate the Grand Canyon on this map and determine the Latitude of the
Grand Canyon in Arizona. ___________________________________
3.A wonder of the Ancient world is the Egyptian pyramids. Go to Grolier Online, choose
Encyclopedia Americana. Type Seven Wonders of the World in the Find it Fast window.
Select choice number 1. How long did it take to build the Great Pyramid? _________
Why do you think they were built near the Nile River? _______________________
________________________________________________________________
4.The Great Pyramid of Giza is located near Memphis, in Egypt, on the continent Africa.
The city of Memphis, Tennessee is located on the continent of North America.
Find a
Climate Map on Maps 101 (Use your school password sheet) After you log in, choose
“Map Collections”, then “Thematic Map Sets”, next “World Thematic Maps” then “Global
Climates”. What are the climate differences between the two cities? ______
________________________________________________________________
Determine the best way to travel from Memphis, Egypt, to Memphis, Tennessee, in the
United States. ______________________________________________________
5.Colossus of Rhodes: Go to Grolier Online; choose The New Book of Knowledge. Type
Wonders of the World in the Find it Fast window. Select choice number 1, the
encyclopedia article. Read about this ancient wonder. What was the Colossus of Rhodes?
_________________________________________________________________
Name a modern structure in the United States that stands in a similar place (an island),
and is close to the same height. _________________________________________
6.The Great Barrier Reef is the largest formation of living organisms in the world. Go
to Grolier Online; choose The New Book of Knowledge. Type Great Barrier Reef in the
Find it Fast window. Select choice number 1, Encyclopedia Article. Why is The Great
Barrier Reef considered a living organism? ________________________________
What is the greatest threat to the reef?_________________________________
7.Another “Great”: Go to Grolier Online, choose Grolier Multimedia, type Great Wall of
China in the Find it Fast window. Select choice number 1. What has buried part of the
Great Wall of China? _______________________________________________
Click on the map in the top right corner and determine the desert to the north of the
Great Wall. ______________________________________________________