Lesson Plan One: Introduction to the Civil War Webquest

National Educational Technology Standards:

    1. Basic operations and concepts

            1. Use keyboards and other common input and output devices (including adaptive devices when necessary) efficiently and effectively.

    2. Social, ethical, and human issues

            3. Discuss basic issues related to responsible use of technology and information and describe personal consequences of inappropriate use.

Objectives:

    -Students will observe and discover how the Civil War Webquest works.

Materials:

    -"Introduction" letter from Civil War Webquest

    -LCD projector

    -Computer Lab (30 computers)

    -Internet access

Purpose:

    -Students will become familiar with the Civil War Webquest so they will be able to use it effectively to answer a series of questions during our next computer lab time.

Anticipatory Set:

   -Teacher will tell students that she has an important letter from the United State Government that she would like them to hear.

   -Teacher reads letter from "Introduction" on Civil War Webquest.

Check for Understanding:

   *This will occur during and after the tour of the Webquest *

   -Teacher will ask students specific questions about the Webquest to make sure they understand the Webquest.  For example, the teacher will ask, "Where could I find information about how many Union soldiers fought at the battle of Gettysburg?"

Modeling:

   -Teacher will ask students to look at the LCD projector screen while she gives them a quick tour of the Webquest.  When the teacher thinks the students have an idea about how to use the Webquest, the teacher will ask the students to move to a computer.

   -Once all students have a computer, teacher will direct students to her School notes page which includes a link to the Webquest.

Guided Practice:

   -Teacher will walk students through the Webquest again, but will now do so with more details.  Teacher will ask many questions to make sure students understand the Webquest.  Students will be exploring the same places at the same time as the teacher (teacher's computer will still be shown on the screen from the LCD projector).

Independent Practice:

   -Teacher will give students several minutes to explore the Webquest on their own.

Closure:

   -Teacher will ask for any questions at this time.  She will also ask students a few more questions to check for understanding.