Introduction

You and a team of learners are presented with the task of looking for Christmas Symbols on the Internet and find out each symbols' true meaning or why it is a legend. But instead of looking to an encyclopedia, each of you will have certain tasks to accomplish.

Based upon what each of you learned, we will study various topics pertainning to the holidays. There's usually a lot more to a topic that we don't learn about after only a quick exploration. This is particularly true when we use the Internet for research because many people post their personal opinions or only know a sliver of the whole story.

In the following WebQuest, you will use the power of teamwork and the abundant resources on the Internet to learn all about Christmas Symbols. Each person on your team will learn one piece of the puzzle and then you will come together to get a better understanding of the topic.

The Quest

What are the various christmas symbols and why are they used and/or what is the legend behind these symbols?

The Process and Resources

In this WebQuest you will be working together with a group of students in class. Each group will answer the Task assigned. As a member of the group you will explore Webpages from people all over the world who care about Christmas Symbols. You will begin with everyone in your group getting some background information before dividing into roles where people on your team become experts on one part of the topic.

Phase 1 - Background: Something for Everyone

Use the Internet information linked below to answer the basic questions of who? what? where? when? why? and how? Be creative in exploring the information so that you answer these questions as fully and insightfully as you can.

• Christmas Symbols - Will show you a variety of christmas symbols.
• Holiday Symbols - A variety of holiday symbols.
• Christmas Holiday Symbols - Will show several symbols that represents Christmas.

Phase 2 - Looking Deeper from Different Perspectives

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Individuals or pairs from your larger WebQuest team will explore one of the roles below.

2. Read through the files linked to your group. If you print out the files, underline the passages that you feel are the most important. If you look at the files on the computer, copy sections you feel are important by dragging the mouse across the passage and copying / pasting it into a word processor or other writing software.

3. Note: Remember to write down or copy/paste the URL of the file you take the passage from so you can quickly go back to it if you need to to prove your point.

4. Be prepared to focus what you've learned into one main opinion that answers the Big Task based on what you have learned from the links for your role.

Internet Researcher

Find ten christmas symbols, read the info., and list several facts about each symbol...where did it originate from, is it a legend, what does it represent, why is it important at christmas time, and who or what does it mean?

Information Recorder

As the researcher search for this information, you must help out by writing down the information he/she gets off the Internet and develop the facts from each symbol into a paragraph or two. Please, remember to get the web site address (reference) for each symbol chosen.

Report Typist

Once the researcher and recorder have done their jobs, please type up each symbol on its own separate paper and don't forget to center the symbol at the heading of the page and right margin/double-spaced the paragraphs. Leave room/space to draw the symbol below the written part on the typed product.

Presentor

You will be responsible for drawing the symbols on its typed page and present three unique christmas symbols to the class. You are responsible for your team's grade, which all of you will be accountable for his/her own part.

Phase 3 - Debating, Discussing, and Reaching Consensus

You have all learned about a different part of Christmas Symbols. Now group members come back to the larger WebQuest team with expertise gained by searching from one perspective. You must all now answer the Task as a group. Each of you will bring a certain viewpoint to the answer: some of you will agree and others disagree. Use information, pictures, facts, opinions, etc. from the Webpages you explored to convince your teammates that your viewpoint is important and should be part of your team's answer to the Task. Your WebQuest team should write out an answer that everyone on the team can live with.

Phase 4 - Real World Feedback

You and your teammates have learned a lot by dividing up into different roles. Now's the time to put your learning into a letter you'll send out for real world feedback. Together you will write a letter that contains opinions, information, and perspectives that you've gained. Here's the process:

1. Begin your letter with a statement of who you are and why you are writing your message to this particular person or organization.

2. Give background information that shows you understand the topic.

STATE THE TASK AND YOUR GROUP'S ANSWER.

3. Each person in your group should write a paragraph that gives two good reasons supporting the group's opinion. Make sure to be specific in both the information (like where you got it from on the Web) and the reasoning (why the information proves your group's point).

4. Have each person on the team proofread the message. Use correct letter format and make sure you have correctly addressed the email message. Use the link below to make contact. Send your message and make sure your teacher gets a copy.

Your Contact is: Anjelique Racan Fitch

Conclusion

So, which Christmas symbols are you most fascinated with? When you only know part of the picture, you only know part of the picture. Now you all know a lot more. Nice work. You should be proud of yourselves! How can you use what you've learned to see beyond the black and white of a topic and into the grayer areas? What other parts of Christmas Symbols could still be explored? Remember, learning never stops.