U.S. SYMBOLS WebQuest
An Internet WebQuest on U.S. SYMBOLS

created by SANDRA J. HANSEN
Marlton Elementary School

Introduction | The Task | The Process | Conclusion |


Introduction
Picture this: you and a team of learners are presented with the task of describing our country's values using the symbols of our nation. But instead of looking to just an encyclopedia, you will use websites to help you explore some of our nation's symbols.

You will find out how some of our nation's symbols came into existence. Where is the symbol located and what does it mean to the American people? What's the truth? When we study complex topics, there's usually a lot more to a topic then what we learn after only a quick exploration.

This is particularly true when we use the Internet for our 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 U.S. 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.

Task
What values of our nation are seen in the symbol you are investigating?

Process
In this WebQuest you will be working together with a group of students in class. Each group will answer the Task or Quest(ion). As a member of the group you will explore Webpages from people all over the world who care about U.S. SYMBOLS. Because these are real Webpages we're tapping into, not things made just for schools, the reading level might challenge you. Feel free to use the online Webster dictionary or one in your classroom.

You'll begin with everyone in your group getting some background before dividing into roles where people on your team become experts on one part of the topic.

Phase 1 - Background Information
Think about our countries values; such as, freedom, democracy, strength, valor, patriotism, our culture, etc. 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.


Phase 2 - Roles
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, bookmark, 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 prove your point or refer back to the information for any reason.

4. Be prepared to focus what you've learned into one main opinion that answers the Big Quest(ion) or Task based on what you have learned from the links for your role. What value(s) does your symbol represent?

Presidents:

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Presidents:

1. What is the most impressive part of this symbol to you?
2. Why was this President(or why were these Presidents) chosen for this symbol?
3. Where is this symbol located?
4. Who was involved in the building of this symbol?
5. When was it built?

Buildings:

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Buildings:

1. What is the most impressive part of this symbol to you?As you look at the symbol, what strikes your eyes first?
2. Why was the architecture chosen in building this symbol?
3. Where is this symbol located?
4. Who was involved in the building of this symbol?
5. When was it built?

Ideals:

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Ideals:

1. What is the most impressive part of this symbol to you?When you look at the symbol, what strikes your eyes first?
2. Why was this symbol chosen?
3. Where is this symbol located?
4. Who was involved in the creating or choosing of this symbol?
5. When was it designed or chosen?

Miscellaneous:

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Miscellaneous:

1. What is the most impressive part of this symbol to you?What strikes your eyes when you first look at this symbol?
2. Why was this person chosen for this symbol?
3. Where can this symbol be located?
4. Who was involved in the choosing of this symbol?
5. When was this symbol first used?


Phase 3 - Reaching Consensus
You have all learned about a different part of U.S. 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 / Quest(ion) as a group. What values are shown with each symbol of our nation? Each of you will bring a certain viewpoint to the answer: some of you will agree and others disagree. Use information, pictures, movies, 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 / Quest(ion). Your WebQuest team should write out an answer that everyone on the team can live with. Your team will also prepare one slide about the U.S. SYMBOL that you investigated. Be prepared to give one sentence in answer to each of the five questions that you researched.

Conclusion
So what are the values of the United States of America? All of your research and every member of the class's research has led to many different opinions. It is important that we listen to everyone's opinion for understanding a topic as broad or complex as U.S. SYMBOLS. When you only know part of the picture, you only know part of the important knowledge. 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 U.S. SYMBOLS could still be explored? Remember, learning never stops.

created by Filamentality Content by SANDRA J. HANSEN, shansen@pgcps.org
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/webussymsa.html
Last revised Wed Jul 4 10:15:25 US/Pacific 2007