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There and Back Again
or
The Corps of Discovery
(Sorry no Hobbits)

A WebQuest for 10th Graders (American Cultures I)

Designed by

William R. Ritz
writz@ycstech.org

 

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page


Introduction

The year is 1804 and you and your friends have decided that you need to have an adventure. You make plains to somehow meet President Jefferson. When you get to the White House there is a ceremony going on. You work your way towards the front of he crowd to hear well. The President is a tall man easily seen, but his high pitched voice is hard to understand so you move closer. You are now right up front. The President is gesturing and talking toward two men in uniform. You hear the words discovery and adventure and then the word volunteers. In all of the excitement of seeing the President you realize he is now pointing at you. You all have your hands in the air and have volunteered to join Meriwether Lewis’s and William Clarks’ Corps of Discovery across the North American Continent. The President talks your parents into allowing you to travel with the Corps of Discovery as his Special Correspondent’s to the President. You have been given a month to prepare. You have collected your supplies and are now ready for your adventure.

 


The Task

As Special Correspondents to the President you will need to choose your duties as members of the Corps of Discovery. You will send letters to President Jefferson about the information you have gathered from the following categories: (Direction: leave space of lists) Create the following lists for your journey

  • Weekly Journal Entries
  • People visited
  • Geography
  • Animals
  • Vegetation
  • List of Means of Transportation
  • You will need to use the Internet to study maps, letters and journal entries to accomplish your task. You will need a Field Journal to record your findings. President Jefferson has a tendency to getting severe headaches, so please write neatly


The Process

First you will be part of a two or three student team. You will decide among yourselves what categories each will be writing in your journals to President Jefferson.

From Your journal entries:

1. Pick four Native American Tribes that the Corps of
Discovery met. Describe them and explain how they effected
the expedition.
2. Describe four different geological features seen on the
expedition.
3. Pick two different birds, mammals and fish seen on the
expedition and describe them.
4. Pick four different forms of plant life seen on the expedition
and describe them.

Here are five websites to help you on your quest:

http://www.sierraclub.org/lewisandclark/journal/
http://www.amphilsoc.org/library/exhibits/...
http://www.amphilsoc.org/library/guides/lcills.htm
http://lewisandclark.state.mt.us/Journals/
http://www.multcolib.org/homework/lewisandclark/br>


Evaluation

Describe to the learners how their performance will be evaluated. Specify whether there will be a common grade for group work vs. individual grades.

Tenderfoot

Private

Lieutenant

Commander

Score
Points
1
2
3
4

 

Record and Research

 
Collects very little information, some relates to topic.
Collects some basic information, most relates to topic.
Collects a great deal information, most relates to topic.
Collects a great deal information, all relates to topic

 

Responsibilities

 

 
Performs very little duties of assumed role
Performs nearly all duties of assumed role
Performs all duties of assumed role
Performs all duties of assumed role and assists others

 

Journal Enties

 

 
Information lacking authenticity and is not creative
Information presented lacking authenticity but is creative
Information presented lacking authentically but has some uniqueness
Information presented lacking authentically and uniquely


Conclusion

Pat yourself on the back! All your correspndences got though to President Jefferson and you returned safely to your worried parents.You have one last thing to do.Read your journal enties to the class and descrbe the websites you visted to complete your journey.


Credits & References

Special thanks to Marj Runkle and Terry Zortman for all their encouragement.

Last updated on March 21, 2006. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page