A Team Project
This WebQuest is designed to help students understand the reasons for and methods of the exploration of the New World.
It is designed to be include both individual and cooperative group work.

Students will research explorers of the United States of America in order to understand their reasons for exploration
(i.e. economic, religious, political, adventure) as well as the outcomes of their exploration
.

 Explorers were brave and adventurous people, travelling the oceans in search of wealth, new worlds and new sea routes.
 Your task, with a group of 4or 5 classmates, is to write a biography of a famous explorer. When your final biography is complete, all information on the template provided should be complete.
 When it is finished it will be displayed in our library.

Your biography should include the following:
An illustrated cover details about the explorer's life at least one picture of the explorer a map of his journey the reason for the journey details about life aboard ship the explorer's achievements the impact on the countries discovered bibliography

1. group must choose one of the following explorers to research for your biography project. You will work as a group to research your chosen explorer. You are responsible for helping each other.
The choices are below:
Leif Eriksson
Adriaen Block
Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra
Saint Brendan
Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca
Thomas Cavendish
Ibn Farrukh
Louis Jolliet
Jean Nicolet
Juan de Oñate
Zebulon Pike
Alonso Alvarez de Pineda
John Wesley Powell
Sir Walter Raleigh
Thomas Walker
Jacques Marquette

2. Each group will receive a copy of the template (located on the following slide) so that you will have a place to record the information you all gather about each explorer.
Write all descriptions in complete sentences using as much detail as possible.
Your template IS your final project, so take your time and write down all information as neatly as possible.

1. Birth:
Where?
When?
Nationality?
2. Life:
Parents/Family?
Rich/Poor?
Occupation?
3. Explorations:
How many?
Where to?
Why?
4. Voyage:
Preparations?
Maps?
Navigational Instruments?
Life on board?
Food?
Illnesses?
5. Achievements:
New countries?
New sea routes?
Riches?
6. Death:
Where?
When?
How?
7. What was the effect of this explorer's discovery?
Good/Bad?
Native people?
War?
8. His greatest achievement was......
Notes and other useful information....
Disease?
Sea routes?
Riches?
Personality?
Where did he live?
Interest in sea/ships/navy?
Interesting facts?
When?
For whom?
King/Queen/country?
From which port/country?
Sailors' life?
Mutiny?
How long did it take?
Describe the ships?
Difficulties?
Did they find what they were looking for?
New foods/plants/spices?
Maps?
Navigational Instruments?

3. Assign jobs to your group and then start researching. These are suggested jobs for the members of your group.
*Each group completes at least 1 task from each bullet.
•Using the template provided, write a Biography: You will be given 2 copies of the template; one for a rough draft and the other to publish. BOTH will be turned in. 1 team member will be responsible for creating the finished copy.
•Create a map detailing the journey your explorer made. You may also include illustrations of sights seen and/or navigation instruments . You have the option to draw or copy these from books or the internet. You could also make a navigational instrument.You can create a navigational map using the blank map of the world provided to you. * 1 or 2 team members can be responsible for this piece.
•Visually represent your explorer through an art piece. You may draw, paint, use clay, or any artistic medium to embody your explorer. This should be neatly done for maximum credit. 1 team member should be responsible for this portion of the project.
•Include a Bibliography of sources used to write your Biography and illustrated cover: A simple
Bibliography template will be provided. 1 team member needs to carefully and neatly record the sources you use. You will want to write this information on a separate sheet and then neatly transfer the information to the Bibliography page. This student is also responsible for making the Biography Project’s cover page.
•Additional Tasks (time permitting):
*If done well, these tasks count as extra credit. However, do the items above 1 st !
•You can make a model ship.
•You can also make a word search using words for parts of the ship.
•You can research and read about several common constellations used in navigation by the explorers. Tell how the stars helped the explorers to determine direction, etc.

5. The link below displays a map you will use in your research project.
Create a map showing the routes of your explorers, including places of departure and destination.
Your map should include a title, a map key, country and territory names, and should be easily read by others.
Perhaps each explorer's routes could be drawn in a different color or with a different kind of line.
Copy of map

4. You may use the following websites to gather information about your explorer or the Explorer books already pulled in our classroom library.
Enchanted Learning
StemNet
KidsKonnect
Mariners' Biographies
SnowCrest
Thinkquest
History Library
Discovery
Kidport

Use the following statements to evaluate your finished project.
Color your group score for each statement and add your total.
Statement
Beginni ng
Averag e
Good
Excelle nt
2 3 4 5 1. We are happy with the overall color-scheme and plan.
2. Our cover is colorful and eye-catching. The title can be clearly seen and it is spelled correctly. Our names are on the cover.
3. Our information is well-organized, clear and easy to read. There are no large blocks of text.
4. We found or drew illustrations to make the presentation interesting.
5. We included at least one picture of the explorer.
6. We included a map of the voyage.
7. We tried to make the biography interesting by including something unusual e.g.
"interviews" with the explorer, the sailors or members of his family or a timeline of the explorer's life.......
8. We included all the important information especially his greatest achievement.
9. We used capital letters for proper nouns, titles and beginning of sentences. There are two spaces after full stops. We have checked the spellings. We used a dictionary for difficult words. We made no mistakes in grammar.
10. We included a bibliography.
11. We worked well together. Everyone did their share and we all took turns.
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
12. We were careful to work quietly and not disturb the work of the other groups.
24 - 36 Average 36 - 48 Good 48
– 60 Excellent
2 3
Total Score :
4 5

Use the following statements to evaluate your contribution to the project.
Color your score for each statement and add your total.
You may keep your score private.
Score 2
Beginning
Statement Score3 Average Score 4 Good Score 5 Excellent
I collected no information
I collected very little information
I collected some information
I researched information. I collected a great deal of useful information
I shared information.
I shared no information with my team
I shared very little information with my team
I shared some information with my team
I shared a great deal of useful information with my team
I completed my work.
I participated.
I listened to others.
I co-operated.
I made fair decisions.
16 - 24 Average
I showed respect.
I relied on others to do the work
I usually did my work without being reminded.
I always did my work without reminders.
I did not share my ideas.
I gave too little information or information that did not help with the project.
I listened some of
I talked a lot.
Sometimes I caused a distraction and
I did not listen to others the time and showed some interest in what my team said but I usually talked too much
I shared some useful information and ideas.
I usually listened to the others on my team and showed an interest in what was said. I didn't really talk too much
I usually argued with my team
I always wanted my own way.
I sometimes argued with my team.
I didn't always listen and often took the side of my friend.
I rarely argued.
I tried to listen and consider all views.
I never respected and encouraged the ideas of others
Sometimes I respected and encouraged others.
I usually respected and encouraged others.
I shared a lot of useful information and ideas with the group.
I always listened to the others on my team and talked a fair amount.
I never argued with my team.
I always helped the team reach a fair decision.
I showed respect and encouraged all members of my team.
24 - 32 Good 32 - 40 Excellent Total Score :
Sometimes I did my work but I needed reminders.