A Virtual Journey through New York and Other States

4th Grade

By Jennifer Murray

Phase I: Relative Advantage In my school, United States history and regions

precedes New York State history. Yet, I think it is important that students are knowledgeable about their home state before exploring other states.

While the students live in New York, it is not possible for them to visit all of the regions of the state. However, students will be able to visit virtually each region as well as landmark and historical sites.

The students will also have the opportunity to interact with students from other states, providing them with insight to places they may never visit.

Phase II: Objectives and Assessments

Students will gain practice working with a partner when completing their WebQuest.

In completing their WebQuest, students will learn about the regions of New York State. The students will be assessed through a rubric based on the completion of a worksheet describing the regions, their group work, their computer etiquette, and whether they followed directions.

In participating in the World ABC Books, the students will not only learn about the landmarks within their home state but also in states throughout the country. The students’ wikispaces will be assessed by using a rubric based on the information they provide, the presentation, and whether they followed directions.

Phase III: Integration Strategies A constructivist approach will be used.

Students will actively participate in learning.

The students have completed WebQuests previously and should be familiar with them.

The students will be introduced to creating Wikispaces in their computer class prior to their project.

The students will work on this project in Social Studies class as well as computer class and library.

Activity One

In groups of two, students will go on a virtual tour of New York State with the following webquest: http://www.zunal.com/webquest.php?w=22386

Students will complete a worksheet, which asks them to describe each region of New York.

Activity Two

Students will research and if possible visit a historical site or landmark based on the letter of the alphabet they receive. For example, if a student received the letter B, he/she may choose to research/visit the Botanical Gardens in the Bronx.

Based on their landmark, students will write about it and present it by creating a wikispace at http://www.wikispaces.com/

Suggestions for such landmarks can be found in My New York by Kathy Jakobsen or on the following sites:

http://www.huno.com/New-York/ http://www.iloveny.com/kids/index.asp http://www.iloveny.com/What-To-Do/See-And-Do.aspx

Activity Two continued…

Once students have created their wikispaces, their work will be shared on an ePal’s (http://www.epals.com) project called World ABC Book (http://worldabcbooks.wikispaces.com/Home)

The project was posted by Heather Berkowitz in Philadelphia.

Throughout the year, students will return to World ABC book to explore historical landmarks and sites in other states.

Phase IV: Instructional Environment

Teacher will have to prepare the following: Create an educational account for

Wikispaces Contact Heather Berkowitz to set up World

ABC Books Students will use the following

Computers with internet access Online worksheet for Webquest Paper and pencils to create drafts for

Wikispaces Time to complete the project – 4 weeks

Phase V: Evaluate and Revise The integration strategies will be

evaluated based on how the students work with their partners to complete their WebQuest and how they work independently to complete their Wikispaces.

Since students are publishing their work and sharing it with other students in the country, I am certain that they will enjoy this project.