A Trip Through Spain
A WebQuest for 9th-12th Grade (History)
Designed by Ramon de Aragon
Introduction
This lesson was developed to be used in a high school history class. The WebQuest, A Trip Through Spain, will take the student on an interactive journey through the history, culture, and sights of Spain.
Learners
This lesson is geared toward high school students and involves history, geography and foreign language to a lesser extent. The lesson can easily be extended to lower grade levels and subjects.
Students must have basic computer skills and previous web browsing knowledge.
Curriculum Standards
History Standards
- Recognize the relationships among the various parts of a nation's history and how it impacts present day society.
- Learn about the history, economy, political environment and accomplishments of Spain.
- Learn about famous figures in Spanish history and important historical sites.
Students are encouraged to engage in dialogue with their peers about things they observed and/or discovered in the WebQuest. Students will improve presentation and public speaking skills by creating a PowerPoint presentation that will be delivered to the class upon completion of the WebQuest.
Process
- Provide links for everyone to read that provide an overview of the subject to be covered.
- Divide the job of more detailed research by assigning specific sites to students with specific responsibilities. The sites can be divided by type (e.g., historical, cultural, political) and/or location (e.g. Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Salamanca). If there is likely to be new vocabulary in the sites to be read, consider providing a glossary or guide (e.g., a guide to basic Spanish terms and pronunciations).
- Bring students together to piece the trip together. Scaffold the planning by providing a template with a day by day breakdown of activities and destinations as well as the historical, political and or social significance of the location.
- Have students present their research. Their product should be a presentation that details the trip. Scaffold each of these by providing templates.
This lesson should be completed in 5 class periods, with presentations delivered on the fourth and fifth days. The multidisciplinary WebQuest explores several topics including history, geography and foreign language.
Students will work in groups of 3 to 4 and divide the work and presentation among each member of the group. Groups will be formed by rows in the classroom.
If technical issues are experienced, prepare a lecture with discussion to cover various topics about Spain. Encourage students to continue their research by assigning homework. If a student does not have access to a computer or internet, allow for additional class time to complete the assignment.
Teachers should do research about Spain prior to assigning the lesson. Teaches should have experience using PowerPoint, projectors and the WebQuest. Teachers should have the ability to troubleshoot technical issues.
Resources Needed
Teachers will need the following to implement the WebQuest- Computers with internet access
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Projector and screen
- Books or handouts about Spain as back-up in the event of technical issues
- Video about Spain
Websites:
Evaluation
Students will be evaluated on the depth of information presented as well as the visual appeal and organization of the presentations. Students will be graded as a team and each student will be expected to contribute to every aspect of the lesson.
| Beginning 1 |
Developing 2 |
Accomplished 3 |
Exemplary 4 |
Score |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Creativity of Presentation
|
Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting a beginning level of performance. | Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting development and movement toward mastery of performance. | Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting mastery of performance. | Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting the highest level of performance. | |
Depth of Information Presented
|
Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting a beginning level of performance. | Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting development and movement toward mastery of performance. | Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting mastery of performance. | Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting the highest level of performance. | |
Working within Constraints
|
Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting a beginning level of performance. | Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting development and movement toward mastery of performance. | Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting mastery of performance. | Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting the highest level of performance. | |
Quality Topic Description
|
Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting a beginning level of performance. | Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting development and movement toward mastery of performance. | Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting mastery of performance. | Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting the highest level of performance. | |
Teamwork
|
Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting a beginning level of performance. | Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting development and movement toward mastery of performance. | Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting mastery of performance. | Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting the highest level of performance. |
Last updated on October 20, 2011. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page