NC Outer Banks

A WebQuest for 4th Grade Social Studies

Designed by:
Karen Lipski 
klipski@iss.k12.nc.us
 
 

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

Introduction
Close your eyes and imagine a warm day. The sun is now rising; and you can feel its glow even with your eyes closed. The damp sand feels cool, and every few minutes a new wave ends as the water swirls around your ankles. How many people have stood in this place before? Who else has had their footprints swept away by the sea? Wilbur Wright? Blackbeard? Colonists seeking life in a new world? Many have been here before us, but who has left footprints that made a mark in the history of the Outer Banks? What would you talk with them about? Why is their life important to you?
 
 

You have the chance to journey back in time to speak with someone who "walked the beach" before you. It could be a member of the Lost Colony, soldier at Fort Macon or on the USS Battleship NC, one of the Wright Brothers, a lighthouse keeper, a pirate, or one of the many famous men and women who helped to shape our state.

You and a partner(s) will research the time and place in order to provide background information for your audience. Then you will have a conversation with the person(s). They might share some of their frustrations, concerns, hopes, etc.! You will give them the current perspective that we have of their time and place, and how their contributions have shaped our lives.

(If resources allow it, save the scripts from the presentations as web pages and upload.)
 
 
 

1. You will be assigned to groups of 2 to 3 students.  One member from each group will select a scenario from the box. (The two member groups will select from a different box.)

 
2. After sharing the scenarios, the groups will be allowed several minutes to make scenario switches.  The only rule is that if you choose to switch, you must switch with another group that is the same size. Once completed, all switches are now firm.

 
3. Next, you and your partner need to create the setting for your meeting.  For example, you could be out  fishing and be dragged back in time or they come forward to your time.  You will need to research (many Resources are linked below this section) to find out about them and their time period in history. (CHECKPOINT #1- teacher needs to conference with you and review an opening/introductory paragraph.)

 

 
 
 

Resources North Carolina Encyclopedia County Historical Facts  Famous Women of Eastern NC First English Settlement Governors Lighthouses  The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island USS North Carolina Battleship Memorial  USS Battleship NC Memorial  The Wright Brothers Wright Brothers - additional resources: http://www.nasm.edu/galleries/gal100/wright1903.html http://www.first-to-fly.com/ http://www.outerbanks.com/wrightbrothers/


 

4. The fun begins!  What will you discuss? What would you want to know about Wilbur?  Blackbeard? Colonist? What would you want to tell them about yourself?  How did their life help to shape North Carolina's coast?  Why is their life imporant to you?

 
5. Create the script. (CHECKPOINT #2 -conference with teacher and share your written script.)

 
6. Practice and gather props for your presentation to the class.

 
7. (Optional) Take digital photos of presentation and save with introduction and script as a web page. Post to your school's page.

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

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score
Introduction/ Setting  Description	Not completed.	Assignment minimally completed and/or contains inaccuracies.	Students' description of the time period was acurately completed..	Students' description of the time and period included additional information about the period in history.
Script of the Conversation	Incomplete.	Minimal conversation in the script.	Script is complete with appropriate conversation about the time in history.	Script is complete with appropriate conversation, but additional effort is apparent in the questions discussed and emotions expressed.
Presentation	Not prepared.	Minimally prepared to present.	Students' performance showed good preparation.	Students' performance showed excellent preparation and confidence.
Group Participation	Not a team player.	Needed some teacher intervention.	Generally, worked well together as a group.	Excellent teamwork and sharing of duties.

During our preparations to present and while watching the other groups, we have had a chance to reflect on our past.  There are many men and women who have shaped our lives by how they lived their lives. How will your life make a difference in someone else's life?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

During this time of National Mourning because of the events on 9/11/01,
I simply want to remember all who give their lives to protect our freedom.
 

Photos from: Lighthouses