TeachersFirst: Webquest Resources

126 record(s) found - search again

zwebquest Grade 2 to 12 - Zafer Unal, PhD- 9368

Have you been pining to include pertinent webquests in your curriculum? This site allows you to view already created webquests and/or use their online tool to create your own webquest without HTML code or web editor software. This site walks you through a tutorial on creating your own webquest for the parameters YOU want. The tutorial includes planning, building, and getting your webquest published. Best of all-- it is free. This site also includes ready-made webquests in nearly every subject area (math, art, music, social studies, science, etc.) submitted by others like you. There are webquests for all grade level. The webquests are free to use and many include reviews by other educators. An easy to follow webquest matrix is available, with all of the subjects and grade levels. You are also able to do a webquest search for a specific topic. Nearly all of the webquests are in English, but a few are in other languages. Note: the quality of webquests is completely determined by others using the site to create webquests, so PREVIEW before using any webquest in class.

In the Classroom:
Search the multitude of webquests that are “ready to go” at this site. If you are looking for a more personal touch, you can create your own webquest for each class, tailored to what you want to cover or want students to research. This site also provides a place to post a personal portfolio of your work (if you choose to include any student work, you must have written permission to do so from the student and his or her parent). You might also want students to create webquests as final products of group research projects. Be sure to provide a meaningful rubric for the essential features.

The Webquest Page Grade 1 to 12 - Educational Technology Department, San Diego State University- 7325

For teachers who want to learn more about webquests, this is the original from Bernie Dodge at San Diego State. He and Tom March "invented" the webquest. The term has come to be used in many ways, but this is the "real" thing. With academic articles, complete training materials, exercises, information on design, suggestions for adapting existing webquests, etc., this is a complete resource. The site also contains links to online workshops for those who prefer instruction with feedback. Teachers First also has a step-by-step tutorial on making a web-based activity, Webquest 101.

In the Classroom:
Learn how to make your own webquests, how to evaluate those made by others, and keep up to date on what's new in the world of webquests.

The 7 Red Flags: Warning Signs when Sifting WebQuests Grade K to 12 - Tom March- 7121

One of the original "inventors" of the webquest explains the potential weaknesseses of a poorly-designed webquest. It is "a series of questions that can be applied to any Web-based activity to see if in fact it is a great WebQuest." He explains the distinctions between web-based activities that truly challenge and meet the needs of all learneers and those that invite students to slip through loopholes. This one-page listing with links to examples is an outstanding, yet brief, explanation of the concept of "webquest" through example and counter-example. It is a MUST for anyone considering using or designing a webquest.

In the Classroom:
Keep this one in your Favorites as a reference to help you decide about any webquest and its value in the classroom.

Welcome to Dr. B's Webquest Workshop Grade 5 to 12 - Carolyn O Burleson- 8611

Did you ever want to make your own webquest but weren't quite sure how to go about it? Were you afraid you'd forget a valuable step? Here is a site that offers step-by-step instructions on how to make your own webquest tailored to your students needs and your teaching style. Very complete with lots of choices for creation. There is even a link to online help: Dr.B's Cyber Homepage Tutorial. This site offers a nice complement to Webquest 101 from TeachersFirst. Choose the methods that work best for you.

Webquest 101 - Putting Discovery Into the Curriculum Grade 1 to 12 - TeachersFirst- 163

Here's an extensive tutorial that explains what a webquest is, why it can be useful in the classroom, and how to create your own webquest on a topic of your choosing. There are lots of examples, and links to our ever-growing collection of sample webquests.

The Giver (webquest) Grade 6 to 10 - Amy Cordy, Jennifer Fouty, Marybeth Malone, and Ekaterina Rohal- 7310

A fairly fast moving webquest, this activity nonetheless provides opportunities to delve into the world of utopias. It also bases the evaluation of the final student project on four subject areas: social studies, language arts, art history and science. An Internet link goes to a cyberguide for the novel.

In the Classroom:
If you do not have enough time for en entire webquest, you may still want to do some of the activities or use the links with your class. A webquest is also an excellent independent activity for your more able students or for a gifted class, allowing you time to work in smaller groups with your struggling students. Bring in laptops for the webquest students to work in the room with you, if you have them available.

Edgar Allan Poe Webquest Grade 6 to 8 - Ellen Bower- 9588

This is a simple webquest to use with students who have not done many webquests. It introduces students to Poe effectively by requiring them to research his life as well as one of his stories. It is designed for students to work in teams, which makes it ideal for middle school students. The options given for evaluation are attractive to students and there is even a section that compares Poe to Stephen King.

Note: You will want to use your own links for the conclusion to give students more sites to visit since most of those listed are not working. The bulk of website works fine. Be sure to include TeachersFirst’s Interactive Raven as an alternative for those investigating this poem and for others who have concluded their work.

In the Classroom:
This can be tailored to any of the Poe stories you read. One task might be to have students themselves find websites to offer additional Poe information after they have completed the webquest. Have students create a fictitious blog – written by Poe!

Lie and Live? Or Tell the Truth and Die? Grade 9 to 11 - Mike Maheu- 8516

A webquest about the McCarthy hearings and Miller's play "The Crucible," this site offers a variety of different links to more academic resources than others. The webquest is structured in the standard fashion with the final project being a report. This site is set up for students to work in small groups.

In the Classroom:
An interesting experiment might be to use this webquest with another webquest that touches upon the same subject and compare the results within a class while expanding the information the students gather. Consider offering students more creative options as a final product, as well: a video, a multimedia presentation, etc.

Radio Days: A Webquest Grade 6 to 10 - Cynthia Matzat - 8474

This is a simple webquest to introduce students to many of the techniques used in radio that are still used in film production today. It also familiarizes students with the era of radio -- an important experience for those trying to understand history of the first half of the twentieth century. The webquest is almost deceptively simple. The age of your students and the sophistication with which they approach the task can determine the level you want to teach. It includes the elements of typical webquests from introduction through evaluation in an easy, step-by-step manner.

In the Classroom:
Although this was written for 6-8th graders, it is a lesson easily adaptable to older students. The list of resources is very good, and the kinds of embellishments you can make on the tasks are limitless. It is a great project for students to work on in small groups, allowing students of all abilities an opportunity for success.

If you ever considered podcasting, this webquest is the perfect lead-in. Your social studies(or language arts) students will love actually producing their scripts for "broadcast" on the web. See TeachersFirst's tutorial on podcasting, coming in fall, 2007. Bring the 1930s to life in your classroom!

WebQuest: Pi Grade 8 to 12 - Leigh Ann Forde- 9831

Celebrate Pi Day (March 14) with this WebQuest! Allow your geometry students to go on a quest to explore ‘pi’ on the web. Please note: one of the activities requires students to have access to the Geometer's Sketchpad Activity Book. However, this activity could easily be skipped. If you are interested in purchasing the book, the ISBN number is #9781559535816. Other assignments include creating a video, writing and essay, and more. This site requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Have students work in cooperative learning groups to complete this Webquest. Share the introduction on your projector or interactive whiteboard. Rather than having students use YouTube to share videos, as the WebQuest suggests, have students try an educational video sharing site such as TeacherTube TeacherTube (explained here).

This simple website should inspire you to make your own WebQuest to invigorate learning. (This one used Googlepages, but there are many other internet hosting sites that offer free or nearly free pages. Learn more about webquests at TeachersFirst’s Webquest 101 and read a review of a possible tool, zwebquest, here here.

Searching for China: A Full WebQuest Grade 9 to 12 - Knowledge Network Explorer- 7383

This WebQuest asks students to formulate a position on U.S. foreign policy toward China though an examination of China from six perspectives: Business, Cultural, Religious, Human Rights, Environmental, and Political. Doing justice to this WebQuest would be a significant undertaking best accomplished over two or three weeks. Students are asked to take on roles related to the six perspectives, and are presented with links to "dossiers" of information related to their roles.

In the Classroom:
The resources presented here are very comprehensive and require thought and analysis. In addition, this WebQuest includes an interesting feature: a javascript-enabled format that allows students to enter information they've gathered into several "forms" and then have that information returned to them in the format of an individual and/or group report. Of course, this feature is like anything computer-based: if you put garbage in, you get garbage out. However, students may be intrigued by the process of having the computer generate reports for them, and therefore be more engaged in the process.

Awesome Comics Webquest Grade 4 to 12 - Grammarman.com- 8855

This complete unit gives ESL/ELL students get an opportunity to create (write and draw) a new comic character for the Grammarman comic series. (See TeachersFirst’s review of the broader Grammarman web site for other activities that may require less time). Students are able to research the history of comics, drawing, manga, super heroes, character development, and more. Throughout the webquest, students can check out what other students have created. After going through the 8 stages of the webquest, reading, writing, and drawing, your students can submit the finished product to the student pages so others can enjoy their creation. Notes for teachers summarize each of the 8 steps and make suggestions about how to use this webquest in a shorter time period. Eager comic creators who aren't ESL/ELL students will also enjoy a modified version of this quest. This website requires FLASH. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom:
Share this webquest on laptops or a classroom computer cluster for students to accomplish the “quest.” Use this project in an ESL/ELL class as a cumulative review of each student's specific grammar problem. Pair ESL students with a native speaker to work on the research and drawing. This creative activity is sure to excite ESL/ELL students and native English speakers.

Rainforest WebQuest Grade 3 to 6 - - 7789

This "WebQuest" is set-up more like a quiz than a real webquest. Students are asked a question and then provided with a link to find the answer. Student recieve immediate feedback once they select their response. The four topic areas include, "Where are tropical rainforests located?", "Layers of the rainforest", "Plants of the rainforest", and "Animals of the rainforest". The "task" at the end is an optional "project" at the bottom of the WebQuest (designing a PowerPoint). Unfortunately, a few of the links listed with the project are outdated.

In the Classroom:
The interactive quiz section is updated and very useful. Use the interactive quiz with your students on an interactive whiteboard or use a lab or laptops for a fieldtrip to the rainforest. You might want to provide some replacement links if you do the "project" at the bottom of the page.

Radio Days: a Webquest Grade 6 to 10 - Cynthia Matzat- 7421

This wonderful webquest allows opportunities for student creativity as they take the parts of crew members on an old style radio show. They research, write an original script, and perform the program they have written. They work in a group but are graded on both their individual contributions and their work as a group. Well-organized and researched, this webquest groups all links for the preparatory materials in one place, allows students to compile and summarize knowledge in an original and creative manner, and provides motivation by giving students an eye into a fascinating media era. Use it as part of a study of the early to mid twentieth century or as a writing and literature activity in your language arts class.

In the Classroom:
Allow plenty of time for planning and implementation if you choose to use this webquest with your class. The resulting radio shows would be ideal podcasts for techno-savvy group and might spark an interest in a continuing "old style radio" club after school!

A Separate Peace Webquest Grade 8 to 12 - Sally Hursey- 7256

This site walks students through World War II in terms of cause and effect. It is related to the book A Separate Peace as a group research project that students can complete while reading the book. Make the students responsible for fillinf in the background themselves instead of lecturing them about it. The webquest relates world events with the individual events in the novel.

In the Classroom:
This ould be a great site for a social studies and English teacher to work on together as a team project or for each of those teachers to work on separately. The webquest encourages group work that will provide great insight into the motivations and themes of the novel. If you do not have enough time to do the full webquest, you can design shorter activities using a portion of the links. All the links work as of our review date.

Birds of Another Feather: A WebQuest for Readers of To Kill a Mockingbird Grade 7 to 12 - Kristin Sciacca- 6984

This webquest, created by an English teacher from Massachusetts, asks students to extend Atticus Finch's idea of developing empathy by "walking around in other people's skin. The students research different characters' points of view and other background information related to the setting of the book before cooperatively writing and binding a new mini-book from these alternate points of view. The webquest includes teacher information, a rubric, and correlation to Massachusetts standards.

In the Classroom:
Use the activity as-is or use selected links to broaden your students' understanding of Harper Lee's book.

Ancient Egypt Webquest Grade 4 to 6 - - 2123

Here's a webquest done by a Massachusetts teacher for his students. This is an extensive project with several layers and a lot of activities and detail. It's a great resource if you're studying Egypt, or if you'd like a good model for creating a webquest.

Black History: Tuskegee WebQuest Grade 9 to 12 - AT&T Knowledge Network- 7374

This WebQuest asks students to examine the Tuskegee Study, an "experiment" that began in the 1930s, in which African American men were knowingly infected with syphilis in order to study the disease's long term effects. The men were denied treatment for their illnesses, even when such treatment became available to the general public. Given the subject matter of this WebQuest, it should be used with mature student groups.

The final set of questions asks students to compare the Tuskegee Study with other issues and events (e.g. abortion, gun control, AIDS, cocaine) and consider whether these issues are also examples of the targeting of specific populations for social experimentation. The WebQuest authors don't assert that they ARE, but by suggesting that they MIGHT be, students who are predisposed to conspiracy theory might be unfairly influenced. In summary: excellent resource, but heavy stuff... proceed carefully.

In the Classroom:
The resources presented here are exceptionally comprehensive and the questions posed in the WebQuests require a great deal of thoughtful consideration. This is NOT an exercise that should be undertaken on a limited time frame, nor with students who aren't fairly capable. The resources, in and of themselves, could certainly be used to present a less comprehensive lesson if desired.

The Roaring Twenties: Meet the People Who Made the Decade Roar Grade 6 to 9 - Patty Tuttle-Newby- 6985

Explore what made the 1920s "roar" with this interdisciplinary webquest created by an Arlington, Virginia teacher. The "task" of the webquest is a short paper AND portrayal of your chosen 20's figure at a "dinner party."

In the Classroom:
Although the teacher page does not provide a time estimate on the class time needed for this task, this webquest has a terrific list of web-based primary and secondary sources. If you team-teach with a social studies or language arts teachers, this is the perfect activity for you to do together. Or do it in your U.S. history class. Virginia standards are included.

Searching for China Webquest Grade K to - AT&T Knowledge Ventures- 7416

Students learn background about China before dividing tasks into roles on the webquest team. Designed to eliminate stereotypes about China, this flexible webquest puts students into the different roles of Business Investor,Museum Curator,Religious Leader, etc. Each role provides and dossier, task, and place to type in findings. Students learn how to separate different kinds of findings and condense and integrate their findings on each issue into one cogent statement. The form on the website gently guides them into presenting their findings in each subject area into a focused statement and its accompanying text. The site includes a teaching guide and provides links to other websites about China.

In the Classroom:
Use this activity in full as a student-guided task or highlight certain perspectives as a projected whole-class activity. If your students are not accustomed to self-guided work, modeling one role on screen before you start might help some of them get started.

Unsolved Mysteries: A WebQuest Grade 8 to 10 - - 5661

The processes involved in solving a mystery and writing a research paper are compared in this straightforward, no-frills WebQuest. As students investigate a real-life mystery topic, they must explore Web states, locate facts, formulate and answer questions, organize their information, and produce a paper.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Webquest Grade 4 to 6 - TeachersFirst- 187

This is a simple webquest built around the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Students use several web sites to gather information on Wilder's life and put it into one of several presentation styles.

In the Classroom:
Includes a printable handout.

Putting George on Trial: Taking Of Mice and Men Into the Courtroom Grade 9 to 11 - Sharon B. Jenkins and Jennifer H. Slinger- 8518

This unique webquest takes students to different sites to research their parts in the trial. They learn law definitions and even investigate the motivation of the character of George in the novel "Of Mice and Men." Especially good for lower level students, this site broadens the students' look beyond just the novel, bringing it into the contemporary world of students who believe they are "law savvy."

Students love to debate, and this gives them opportunity to do it within a specific format similar to the US justice system. Learning what a bailiff and a court reporter do, as well as a judge, public defender, etc. will be an eye-opening experience for many students. They likely will remember the project much better for having been active participants.

In the Classroom:
As you plan to teach the novel, set aside the time to do this webquest, or intersperse the steps during the time spent reading. Students will have more of a purpose in their reading. If you do not teach "Of Mice and Men," consider using some of the links from this webquest to make a similar activity for a "trial" of a character from another book. Most of the work has been done here. Simply create a word processing document with your own directions and the links for students to use or put your new webquest in the form of a PowerPoint show with links from there so students can navigate the task.

Holes (webquest) Grade 6 to 9 - Lu Dayment & Linda Heiden- 7309

This webquest uses the metaphor of hole-digging found in the novel to provide separate activities for 5 separate groups of students. Each hole focuses on a certain aspect of the book , such as reptiles, prejudice, nature, relationships etc. Besides completing the tasks found in the "holes," students also prepare a final presentation of their choice (power point, video, research paper, or original).Note that the webquest is from a Texas school, so you may want to adjust some of the geographic suggestions they make to fit your region.

In the Classroom:
A good way to get groups of students deeply into the book. The tasks vary in difficulty, so it is easy to differentiate your instruction. Grading criteria are also provided. If you do not have time for the entire web quest, perhaps you can use one or two of the tasks for a shorter time period.

Literary Webquest: Shakespeare's Othello Grade 10 to 12 - Russ McDonald- 9587

This webquest grabs student interest by examining the character of Othello as a man set apart from his peers by his race. The task, process, resources, and evaluation are all clear and provide ample fodder for interesting class discussions on homeland security, racial profiling, and societal pressure. The quest casts the student in the role of a CIA agent, a proposition most students would find attractive!

Note: the first link relating to how to write a report is not working and neither is the Horizon Magazine, but all of the other article links and MLA source links are fine.

In the Classroom:
This is a great activity to meld literature and social studies or humanities-based curriculum. Students can choose different areas to search for information and this can be tailored to the students in a given class. Using the information found will spark new interpretation as students then read the play Othello. As a writing activity, have students write a blog post as one of the investigators, reflecting on what he/she has learned!

Of Mice and Men Webquest Grade 9 to 12 - Carolyn O Burleson & Daniel Brewer- 8610

This Steinbeck classic is taught in most high schools in the U.S., and this website gives a new slant for students to explore the themes while incorporate writing. The process portion of the webquest, in particular, is amazing for the writing tools it offers students as they work. The writing tool links are useful for any and all writing and provide practice in using different web sources to flesh out their writing.

In the Classroom:
The writing tools offered on this site-- from an Essay Organizer to an interactive Thesis Builder-- are second to none and excellent for reluctant writers. The resources offered are both practical and varied. Even if you do not choose to use the entire webquest, you may want to mark these tools in your favorites or make them available from your teacher web page for use with writing all year long.

Dolphin Safe Tuna Webquest Grade 5 to 8 - University of Richmond Education Department- 7420

This easy-to-read webquest prods students to learn about the tuna industry, dolphin species problems, and the intricacies of public policy. It culminates in writing an actual letter to a congress person, a tuna canning company, or an environmental conservation organization. In groups, students assume one of three roles and do research, examine arguments, learn about perspective, and prepare the final project. The webquest is clear and contains and evaluation rubric as well as Virginia Standards of Learning.

In the Classroom:
Take a project-based approach to this hot issue as you study oceans and man's impact on the ocean environment. If you can, enlis the help of your language arts teacher to make the letter-writing an assignment in that class, since many must teach letter-writing as part of their curriculum, anyway! If you have never done a technology-based project, this might be a good place to start. The teacher area has great tips.

Wolves in Yellowstone - a Webquest Grade 6 to 12 - - 902

This webquest asks students to use the Web to find information to support or refute the idea that the wolf should be reintroduced to the Yellowstone ecosystem. There is significant information on the site itself, and the quest helps students realize the number of different perspectives that must be considered in managing large ecosystems.

In the Classroom:
Use this site on a projector or interactive whiteboard to discuss and informally assess prior knowledge as you start your study of environmental stability and endangered species. Use this site to provide students with more information, and take advantage of the free lesson plan provided. This lesson plan would be great for biology students, and can help introduce the topic of ethics into science classrooms. After introducing it on the interactive whiteboard or projector, allow students to work on the lesson in small groups on computers in the classroom.

Hello Dolly: A WebQuest Grade 11 to 12 - Keith Nuthall of the Poway Unified School District- 5194

The impact of cloning on 21st century society is examined in this non-partisan, fact-based WebQuest that encourages research, analysis, and evaluation. Students, working in teams, are asked to consider the ethics, politics and science of the cloning process as they establish a government policy to regulate cloning. Teacher resources and website links are provided, along with a timeline and content standards. Because of the controversial nature of this real-life problem-solving challenge, exercise caution when implementing.

A Separate Peace WebQuest Grade 9 to 12 - Mooney’s Madness- 4094

WebQuest lessons are hard to find, and this one is geared towards high school students who are computer savvy. The assignments will keep students interested and involved in their learning. An evaluation in rubic form is included to make this an easy site for teachers to implement in the study of John Knowles novel.

Gatsby Webquest Grade 9 to 12 - Lori Hampson- 9796

This is an interesting, teacher-created Webquest that includes several factors. It gives the students a task that involves both individual and group requirements. The PowerPoint required is modeled on the site by downloading a sample to show students. There are six group tasks that involve everything from Scott Fitzgerald's life through cultural aspects of the 1920s, including the changing role of women and the influence of Hollywood. The evaluation includes a rubric.

One of the nicest things on the site is the links that each group can use to access information they might use to complete their PowerPoints. These links all go to reputable sites and give students adequate information while showing the variety of sources to get information on a topic. At the time of this review, all research sites were working except one.

In the Classroom:
This Webquest assigns both individual and group tasks, so while students are working together, they are also working individually, great practice for the workplace. You might assign roles to students within the groups to encourage cooperation, such as the director of the PowerPoint, the writer, the editor, the layout editor, etc. This can isolate tasks for students while requiring them to know all the information necessary for the end product.

Retelling the Classic Tales Grade 6 to 12 - Adrienne Somera- 8473

Billed as a drama webquest, this is a project that outlines clearly and simply the different roles involved in creating a live play: from what blocking is to the responsibilities of prop and costume masters. For older students, it can serve as an introduction to more detailed or more difficult projects. This lacks some key elements of a webquest in design (e.g.,no process or evaluation), but it is highly useful for students with little or no real experience in the realm of play production.

In the Classroom:
Allowing students to use the site as information and note-taking relieves the burden of classroom lecture and moves your students quickly to the "fun" part-- the actual production. If you are reading a play as a literature selection, consider having students perform a few scenes, using this background to help them know their jobs.

Elizabethan Theatre: The Dawn of Modern Drama Grade 7 to 12 - William Eyerly- 8470

Constructed by a practicing teacher, this webquest is simple, but very good. It takes students through a series of searches that lets them think about the difference between society and theatre of that time. While Mr. Eyerly has constructed the quest in such a way as to take the place of or significantly augment a unit plan (covering 45 days) on Elizabethan drama, with the culminating project being a student film, many parts of this are adaptable to shorter periods and less ambitious outcomes.

In the Classroom:
There are many ways you can use this webquest to assist in teaching the beginning of modern drama, Elizabethan theatre, or Shakespeare. He goes through the quest process of introduction, task, process, and evaluation, but he also includes a teacher page with tips and ideas that is useful to the classroom teacher. If you have never done a complete webquest, why not consider trying ONE per year to see the benefits of a project-based approach, especially if someone else has already created the project for you. A grading rubric is includede in the Student Pages.

The Big Wide World Webquest Grade 2 to 6 - The Museum of Television & Radio- 7435

This site pulls together understanding of environment, geography, the earth and its setting in space, cultures, animals, and more. It forms a "core" for what social studies (and science)is all about. To figure out how the “Big Wide World” works, students will work with partners to investigate one area of the world (globe, plants, people, cultures, language, animals) and come up with rules about how this area works. The individual areas join with other areas and determine how the areas relate to each other. A teacher guide included. Active X is required on some website links.

In the Classroom:
Use this Webquest to introduce the connections between major social studies and science concepts. After students work in groups to investigate the different areas, bring the class together to share. Guide a class discussion to show how the different areas are linked and work together. Use the Relationship Wheel (see Teacher Guide) as a bulletin board to support understanding. The site information says it can be used in grades K-4, but non-readers cannot do the tasks without a reader! For independent workers, it is better suited (and quite applicable)for grades 2-6.

If you do this at the start of the school year, you can revisit the overarching connections as you begin study of each sub-area so you are connecting to prior knowledge every time. Teachers in later grades could even recall the overarching questions as they continue with the study of these topics. Be SURE to put the link on your teacher web page for students to revisit throughout the year.

DNA for Dinner webquest Grade 9 to 12 - William E. Peace- 7415

This webquest provides activities for groups of four students each to learn background, new developments, and legislative impact of genetic engineering. It addresses the controversial topic of whether people should eat genetically engineered crops. Each of the students has a separate assignment within the overall webquest. Students learn how to research both sides of a question and provide a balanced, thoughtful examination of a hot topic by using a scientific approach to gain background information, develop critical thinking skills, examine legislative efforts related to the topic, and present findings in an original way. The site includes a grading rubric.

In the Classroom:
Divide students carefully into well balanced groups so that they learn not only the topic of genetic engineering, but also the process of researching, analyzing, and presenting findings.

This site would make an excellent "hands-on" activity in a biology class where students can experience both scientific research and policy-making on a first hand basis. If your students are also studying government, they should have an even better sense of the processes involved.

A Separate Peace: A Teenager Experiences World War II Grade 8 to 10 - Sally Hursey- 7209

This webquest consists of studying original historical documents about WWII. Comparing the teen reader's life to that of various wartime heroes draws the reader into real history. The webquest then proceeds to have users do related extensive reading about WW II and then work as a team. Members of the team each have a different role in the research and project completion project: home-front historian, propagandist, counselor, and omnium gatherum. The ultimate question of what truth is and whether the truth is the same to every person becomes the final focus of those who tackle this challenging and well-done quest.

In the Classroom:
Use this team approach while studying WW II. If you do not have enough time to do teh full webquest, consider adapting some portion of it. If you teach both Seaparet Peace and research, this is an ideal activity to bridge form one unit to the next, and teach about primary sources in the process.

Dream Car Project Grade 8 to 10 - Rebecca Gammill- 7007

Engage your students with this webquest to select and finance a new car, comparing financing packages, models, and overall cost using algebra. The webquest includes rubrics, examples of projects that earned differnet grades, and lesson plans/pacing for teachers. The opening video requires FLASH.

In the Classroom:
Use the webquest "as is" or adpat the idea for your classroom. The "packaging" on this one is ready-to-go except for one typo on the opening page. Don't forget to put the URL on your teacher web page so students can work from home, if they have access.

Plant Parts Salad Bar Grade K to 3 - Missouri Farm Bureau and Missouri State University- 6835

This simple webquest is a great tool for teaching students the six main parts of plants, their jobs, and food samples of each part. Younger grades would need assistance navigating the webquest. The culminating activity (creating a book using six paper plates) is creative and "kid-approved". A detailed grading rubric is provided. Printables require Acrobat Reader.

In the Classroom:
Even if you do not have the time to complete the entire webquest, the culminating activity could easily be adapted to meet the needs of all ability levels. The link for growing your own lettuce, could be an interesting homework assignment or an at-home activity with parents. If you don't do it at school, put the link on your teacher web page for families to try.

Who Fits the Ism Webquest Grade 6 to 9 - Janice Biebrich- 8472

This integrated activity was created for Art, Language Arts and Social Studies. It includes activities designed to allow students to investigate an Art movement in historical context and to apply their research to a situation where they must judge whether another artist's work and philosophy would be compatible with the movement. There are built-in extension activities and ways to address multiple intelligences within the webquest.

Ideal for working with Humanities, teachers can use this site for art, language arts, or social studies. Teachers of gifted will also find it a great way to approach art--even for those who are not "artistic."

In the Classroom:
This site includes all the prerequisites for good webquests: introduction through evaluation. If you want to gear this to older students, more sites could be added to reflect your units. The sophistication of the final projects is up to you and your class, but the choices offered are a good variety.

Cinco de Mayo Webquest Grade 2 to 3 - Cheryl J. Cox- 2126

Students will learn about the history of Cinco de Mayo and the Hispanic culture on this WebQuest. In groups of four, they work through seven different activities involving web research. Activities range from answering questions to making a piñata to sampling Mariachi music (some of the music links were not working at the time of this review). A list of books on Cinco de Mayo is also included. Be sure to visit the Teachers' Link.

In the Classroom:
Have cooperative learning groups explore this site (and the activities) together.

Anthem: A Utopian Society Grade 8 to 12 - Slawek Wojtowicz- 9598

This is a well-designed webquest to use with the Ayn Rand novel, Anthem. Since the novel is deceptively simple (the language is easy to read, the philosophy more dense), this webquest is a great way to lead younger readers to the meaning. Creating a utopian society is something students can sink their teeth into and the steps used in this webquest do a good job of taking them through the process, ending with research documentation, an essay, and a three-dimensional model.

Note: all links work with the exception of the virtual 360 degree models.

In the Classroom:
Having students work in groups on the webquest allows for both creativity and comfort. Each student is assigned a role in the project (from historian to scientist) and works together to create a "new world" order and model while also writing an individual essay. Students must have a copy of the book Anthem and access to the internet as well as materials to create a three-dimensional model.

Global Warming Grade 5 to 8 - Chris Clementi- 8893

This information-rich website offers a WebQuest (which could almost be an entire unit) devoted to Global Warming. It provides an eclectic look at this "hot topic." The teacher-creator also provides excellent video clips and learning activities. The culminating activity challenges students to create a short movie (using Windows Movie Maker) and to write a one-page newsletter about the specific topic they have researched. A short assessment tool is available at the "evaluation" link. For younger students, please view the videos before sharing them with your class. Some are rather graphic for elementary students. This website requires Flash and Adobe, get them from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Use this "hot topic" website to spark your students' interest in the environment. Even if you don't have time to complete the entire WebQuest, using the short videos and other information would be beneficial to any class studying the effects of global warming or even the environment in general.

Little Rock 9 WebQuest Grade 6 to 12 - At&T- 7376

A WebQuest focused on the integration of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957. The site provides content resources, and is written in a very accessible personal tone that is likely to get students thinking about how this event might relate to them today.

In the Classroom:
The teacher's guide connected with this site suggests that it could be used by one student doing an independent project over a semester or groups of students working over only a few days. The site includes something the site calls a "Transformation Builder" form that students can use to build a thesis for their project or exploration. Students enter text into the form as directed, and (ideally) the site returns their thoughts organized into a thesis statement of sorts. Once the thesis statement is developed, the site also helps students build an outline from the thesis statement. The teacher's guide section also includes a rudimentary rubric for evaluating the student projects.

Blizzard Grade 4 to 7 - Missouri Farm Bureau and Missouri State University- 7281

This unique webquest is based on "The Long Winter" by Laura Ingalls Wilder. The students' task involves learning about the great blizzard of 1881, to prepare for a blizzard that is coming to their hometown in the present! The main task is to be sure all members of your family have food (from all food groups) to eat throughout the blizzard. This site provides a lot of research, interesting graphics and a teacher-created rubric.

In the Classroom:
This is a motivating webquest during the cold months of winter. The webquest incorporates literature, science, research, writing and more!

The Pilgrim's Journey - A Child's Adventure Grade 2 to 5 - Linda Patton- 7179

This WebQuest activity asks students to research The Mayflower, write a journal and create a final project. Some choices for the final project include creating a skit, wearing authentic clothing during an oral presentation and more! This WebQuest is ready to go, well designed and "kid-friendly".

In the Classroom:
If a teacher doesn't have time to do the entire WebQuest, they could easily use the parts that are useful in their classroom. This website provides a helpful "Teacher's Page" and creative "Extension Activities". A detailed rubric is provided.

Medieval Times Reality Adventure Grade 5 to 8 - Joan Weathers- 6th grade teacher- 7122

This extensive webquest on life in Medieval times includes all facets of life and provides multiple challenges to students to research, assimilate information, write, analyze and evaluate. The final group task (after multiple individual steps) is to analyze a problem from Medieval times and provide a suggested solution. The list of resources to use is extensive, and stduetns are also directed to infrmation about evaluating web-based srouces BEFORE they start the task. Although there is no actual Teacher Page, there is a listing of resources teachers might use and an invitaiton to submit further ideas via email.

In the Classroom:
Review the process carefully to see if you need to adapt it in your situation. The teacher who designed this uses clips from a film (Ever After) and specific software packages (Inspiration, Publisher). There are certainly alternate ways to accomplish the same tasks if you do not have access to these exact resources. If you do not have as much time, you may want to use some portion of this webquest with your students. It is well-packaged for use in toto, if you wish!

An A-Maize-ing Plant– Corn Grade 2 to 6 - Cheryl McGinness- 7017

This simple WebQuest introduces students to the various uses of corn. The task involves "teaching" Christopher Columbus (who has arrived via time capsule) about the many uses of corn. Students are asked to create an oral presentation to share with the class. A detailed rubric is provided.

In the Classroom:
It might be good to review this WebQuest as a class and then send students to a few specific sites to gather their research. There are numerous links provided. Great information, but younger students will need assistance navigating this site.

From Egg To Chick: An Embryology Unit Grade K to 3 - Missouri Farm Bureau and Missouri State University- 6836

This interesting webquest is all about the transformation from egg to chick. The students will love the video clips of live chicks, detailed pictures and the entertaining rebus rhyme and coloring activities. Teachers will love the unique lesson, creative teaching ideas and detailed rubric. The videos require the latest version of the FLASH plug-in.

In the Classroom:
Don't forget to bring in an egg for step 4 and use a smartboard or projector for this webquest!

Freedom Fighter or Terrorist Grade 10 to 12 - - 6310

This thought-provoking WebQuest challenges student to examine the presence of terrorism in the world and ponder the issue of a "just cause." Using videos, interactive journals, and a collection of carefully selected online resources, students must work in groups to analyze a series of cases and develop an answer to the question – "What is terrorism?" This is a complex and high level WebQuest, perfect for an AP Social Studies class.

American Dreams Grade 8 to 12 - Library of Congress- 5516

This high level WebQuest delves into America's past and challenges students to develop their own unique interpretation of the American dream. Along the way, they can refine their research skills with the impressive online resources of the Library of Congress. While the topic is complex, the WebQuest is beautifully organized and carefully guides students through the process of analyzing and synthesizing information. An excellent activity for your AP classes.

PhysicsQuests Grade 7 to 12 - - 4672

Created by a physics teacher, this site offers a collection of webquests and similar interactive activities that help explain topics typically found in a physics curriculum. As with any such collection, the quality of the resources varies, but you’ll likely find one or more that fit nicely with your own curriculum.

Red Scarf Girl Webquest Grade 8 to 12 - Sofie Maurice- 7208

This webquest is an excellent introduction to the time of the Chinese Cultural Revolution through the eyes of a teenage girl. It is fairly compact yet packed with information not typically covered in depth in American classrooms. The quest activities vary from mapping to timeline making to writing from a different perspective, and all are grounded in reading the original novel, A Red Scarf Girl.

In the Classroom:
Suggest this fairly simple quest to students who select The Red Scarf Girl as outside reading or use it as part of a multicultural literature unit.

Don’t Burn - Build! Grade 9 to 12 - - 5374

This well-organized WebQuest involves students in an authentic collaborative activity to design a new bridge for the city of Calcutta. Using skills involving critical thinking, research, geometry and physics, students must assume specific roles and work together to create an engineering solution. Helpful solutions, links to Web resources and worksheets, and evaluation rubrics are provided. As with any webquest made by a teacher out there, sometimes links "go bad" while the teacher isn't looking. This one is mostly active and definitely worth tolerating the "bad spots."

Earthtrips - A Virtual Tour into the Earth’s History Grade 9 to 12 - Paleontological Research Institution- 4949

Take your students on an on-line field exploration adventure with one of several virtual trips offered on this site. Select a tour based on time period or locality and learn about the geologic history of the United States. High quality, close-up photographs provide "the next best thing to being there" experience as students observe the raw data of earth science.

In the Classroom:
Select the region that pertains to your unit, and save the site as a favorite on classroom computers. The site offers multiple webquests that make it the perfect learning center or station. Have students complete the webquests in pairs or cooperative learning groups. The details of the webquest combine geography, history and science - making it easily usable in any of those classes.

Art Exhibit Webquest Grade 7 to 12 - Privately Published- 2993

Here’s a webquest that asks older students to create their own exhibition according to several criteria. Students must devise a theme and find appropriate images from the many sources suggested. This would be a good summary project for a unit on visual art forms.

Art Through the Ages Grade 9 to 12 - Erin Kubarewicz, Katie Reiss, Danielle Smith, Brie Walsh- 9735

This site gives a simple webquest that helps students apply research to see a more complex idea. While it is geared to making students "experts" in a certain type of art in a given century, it can easily be expanded to incorporate the ideas of literature, music, and philosophy that tie into those art periods. Throughout this site, students learn about baroque, classicism, cubism, dada, expressionism, romanticism, and surrealism. The evaluation is a PowerPoint that students present to the rest of the class.

In the Classroom:
This webquest can easily be expanded by using your own web sources to help students analyze the arts as periods in their entirety rather than just the fine artists of the time. It could also be modified to have groups of students include architecture, theatre, dance as they affected the history of the time (or the history was affected by the art) and present this as "experts" on that time period. You may want to use a more current collaborative tool instead of PowerPoint. Consider having students collaborate on a Google Docs presentation (tool reviewed here), an online Bookemon book (tool reviewed here), or a Simplybox collection (tool reviewed here) about art during their assigned time period.

The Crucible and McCarthyism Grade 10 to 12 - Claudia Penczar- 8515

This is a great site for a simple webquest that does exactly what it says without too many choices-- therefore a good option for students who need a lot of guidance. It guides the students from the standard task through evaluation studying "The Crucible" in the context of the political climate in which it was written in the United States, comparing the McCarthy hearings and the Salem Witch trials.

In the Classroom:
One of the nice things about the simplicity of this webquest is that it can be tailored for students to work in pairs or individually. It uses a presentation as the culminating project, and you can use your imagination in terms of how elaborate you might want that to be. This is a great addition to material you already teach on Arthur Miller's play. One possible "presentation" format or the entire class would be a student-made wiki. Learn more about wikis (and how easy they really are) in TeachersFirst's Wiki Walk-Through .

Conflict Yellowstone Wolves Grade 6 to 12 - Keith Nuthall- 7448

This webquest carefully examines the problem of possible wolf extinction, their re-introduction into the wild, the opposition of the ranchers in the area etc. By presenting small groups of students with a real issue, the quest will teach how to perform and evaluate research before developing a point of view on an issue. For the final project of the quest, users write an editorial stating their well-researched viewpoint. Students don't do original research but rather use the articles contained within the project. Contains a rubric for evaluation as well as a form for "pre-writing" so the process of research and final presentation is carefully controlled. Users need RealAudio to hear the howls of the wolves.

In the Classroom:
This project is ready to go for your classroom and teaches science and information literacy skills together.

WebQuest: Does the Tiger Eat Her Cubs? Grade 9 to 12 - Knowledge Network Explorer- 7382

This WebQuest asks students to consider "the truth about how children are treated in China" through looking at reports about the conditions in orphanages in China, about China's "one child" policy, and about human rights in general. The site does include a disclaimer on the opening page warning teachers to evaluate if this WebQuest is appropriate for their classroom.

This is a very sensitive subject, and teachers should consider the maturity of their students before proceeding with the activities on this site. In addition, teachers should be sensitive to the fact that there may be Chinese adoptees in their classes for whom this topic might be especially difficult.

At the time of this review, a few of the links were no longer active. We are keeping the listing because of the discussions that the site can produce. You may want to provide students with a corrected resource list without the dead links.

In the Classroom:
While it is unlikely you will want to make a discussion on the plight of Chinese orphans the centerpiece of an examination of Chinese culture, this site may prove valuable for a student or student group to use in planning a special project. This site would be good research background for a debate on human rights.

Alternative Energy Sources Grade 9 to 12 - - 2994

This webquest gives high schoolers a tall order: come up with a workable renewable energy policy. The quest offers leads to information on renewable resources and suggestions on areas in which these resources can be economically viable. The rest is up to your students. This one has lots of possibilities.

Jog the Web Grade 2 to 12 - Jog the Web- 10210

Teacher's First Edge Review: For advanced technology users. Have a series of web pages you want to share with someone? Use Jog the Web to share links and a specific jogging pathway (“track”) through them. Look at some of these great examples: Google Earth in education and Find a Fallacy.

Search or browse existing “tracks.” Once clicked, a sidebar appears on the left that provides information about the track. The number of pages in the “jog” appears, as well as forward and back arrows. View the names and descriptions of the pages and any instructions that the author added. Click on any of these names to follow the link directly to the page. Register to create your own track. See TeachersFirst’s safety and use tips for using this site below under “In the Classroom.” Some content on this site may be inappropriate for the classroom. Always preview.

In the Classroom:
Skills needed: Registration is free and requires a password and email address. Once validated by email, click "Create a New Track" and enter a title and description. Find all of your tracks on your page. Click on each to edit descriptions or add steps (these are the web address url's of the pages you are adding.) Easily delete your tracks by clicking on the trash can icon next to each track.

Safety/Security: If students are to create tracks, each student will need to create an account (with an email address) and then email verification. Check your school policies about accessing/sharing student email on school computers. You may want to create your own Gmail account with up to 20 subaccounts for each group of students (by code name or number) within your classes. Here is a blog post that tells how.

Consider creating a single class account using your “extra” email address, so you can monitor and submit student work safely. Student-created tracks can be identified through title or adding initials at the end of the title. The home page of this site includes changing “featured” content contributed by the general public. Be sure to preview the content ahead of time. You may want to send students to your track via a direct link.

Classroom use: Create your own tracks as webquests for students to follow for class assignments. Students can be assigned different subtopics of a subject such as biomes, find related pages, and create a track working through these pages. Students could also create tracks to annotate their sources for a research project, critiquing each source in the sidebar. Teach about evaluating web sites and reliability of sources by having students in small groups create tracks comparing different sources on the same topic. Create tracks as homework help solutions for parents and students. Use a blog, wiki, or website to share these tracks for students to visit for obtaining information. Want to learn more about Wikis? Check out the Teacher’s First Wiki Walk-Through reviewed here.

The Power of Persuasion Grade 7 to 12 - Thomas Yorke- 9924

This WebQuest is a good one for helping students understand the power of persuasion. It helps them learn to use persuasion themselves and understand when these techniques are being used in all aspects of life, from advertising to editorials. It uses the 2008 Presidential election as the basis for teaching the subtleties of persuasion, especially in persuading large groups of people. Be aware: one of the links (Senator John McCain’s Website) is no longer active.

In the Classroom:
As with all WebQuests, this one is handy to use with small student groups. It is designed for students to use internet research to gather information and invites them to publish their work ultimately on video with a 5-10 minute speech. Depending on the age and ability of the group you teach, this can be adjusted to your classroom and local needs. Why not share your students’ videos on a tool such as TeacherTube (explained here).

Moving To The Land of the Big Red Apple Grade 3 to 6 - Lyndon Irwin- 7018

This unique WebQuest is about Laura Ingalls Wilder's move from South Dakota to Missouri. Topics include prairies, apples, wheat, beans, history of Laura Ingalls Wilder and more! The tasks include writing, diagramming a map and preparing a chart. An evaluative tool is provided.

In the Classroom:
This is a great cross-curricular activity involving science, language arts, history and geography! Don't forget to check out the "teachers page" that provides a lot of details for the web activities. Include this webquest as you study westward expansion or American rural culture. You could also share portions of a Laura Ingalls Wilder book aloud as your after-recess reading selection.

Three Little Pigs - "not by the hair of my chinny, chin, chin!" Grade 2 to 5 - Deborah Richardson- 7016

This adorable WebQuest has everything you have ever wanted to know about pigs! The task is for students to learn about various breeds of pigs (and if that breed has hair on their "chinny, chinny, chin"). The creative methods used to instruct the students include web tours, games, handouts, detailed diagrams and more. Some of the activities require FLASH. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Be sure to visit the helpful teacher's page. The page includes step-by-step directions, standards, hints for teachers and additional links. A well-detailed rubric is also included. Use this webquest as part of your unit on farm animals or use selected activities if you do not have time for the full webquest.

Excellent Explorers Grade 3 to 4 - University of Richmond- 6156

Designed for third graders, this webquest offers a great way for students to explore the explorer of their choice from a set of selected links. The site asks for independent research on each explorer, and it expects a portfolio of maps, descriptions, and other facts as the result. Depending on your requirements, this site could serve as a packaged explorers unit. Well worth a look. Aligned to national standards.

Crack the Magic Code Grade 3 to 5 - University of Richmond- 6155

Codes, sleuthing, and spies are always fun, especially when they're part of a math lesson. Here's a codes and patterns webquest for fourth graders that introduces transposition ciphers, cryptology, and other "secret code" tricks. It's math with a decidedly different face, and it can be great fun. Aligned to national standards.

Stand and Be Heard Grade 9 to 12 - Tracy Hamner and Carolyn Constantakis- 6108

Picture this: The high school in which you teach has hired an expert in criminal profiling to survey the student body with the intent of identifying potential future criminals. After reading through the survey, students are upset by this blatant invasion of personal privacy and decide to stage a protest. This WebQuest presents such a scenario, then asks students to research and select the style of "civil disobedience" that would be most appropriate and effective for resisting this policy. Aligned to Standards.

Moving to America Grade 7 to 12 - - 5776

The year is 1909 and you have decided to leave your mother country and emigrate to America. You must now persuade your family members and friends to join you. This thought-provoking WebQuest challenges students to prepare a "guide" for new immigrants as they prepare for their journey and new life in turn-of-the century America. Includes a teacher page, links to online resources, and a scoring rubric.

A Tale to be Told Grade 4 to 7 - Martha Sullivan/Missouri Schoolweb- 5614

This Webquest challenges students, working in small groups, to read, share, and compare/contrast folk tales from different parts of the world. A printable chart is provided to guide the analysis, and a graphic organizer can be downloaded to help students organize their thoughts for the final activity - the creation of an original folk tale. Links to online fairytales are provided.

Fix it Up! Grade 6 to 8 - Univeristy of Richmond- 5554

You'll need to set aside five days for this authentic WebQuest requiring students to apply skills in estimation, measurement, and geometry to renovate a neighborhood park. Working in groups of three, students must assume real-life roles, analyze current problems and future needs, and design a proposal for the class.

Our Vacation to France Grade 8 to 12 - Lee Kirby- 5553

Learn about France and French culture with this well-organized WebQuest. Students must work in groups of four, assume "family" roles, and take a virtual trip to France, gathering photos and descriptions of significant sites and events along the way. The end product is an original scrapbook documenting the journey. Perfect for first or second year language students

Travel Back to Colonial Times Grade 4 to 6 - - 4975

If you have never used a WebQuest before, take the plunge and try this one! Faced with the task of discovering what information a time traveler to colonial America would need, students are asked to think creatively, work cooperatively, analyze information, and create a graphic organizer to represent their findings. Access to Hyperstudio or Inspiration would be helpful. Teacher notes, resources, and an assessment tool are provided. Created by Lori Abrahams.

A “Holes” Webquest Grade 4 to 8 - - 4306

From a school district in Indiana comes this web quest based on Louis Sachar’s book “Holes.” The quest invites students to search for information about the author, the book, and events that relate to Sachar’s story. This one could be used in class or independently by students at home.

When Johnny Went Marching Off Grade 6 to 12 - SCORE- 2175

This site is a group research project that could serve as the culminating activity for a Civil War unit. It asks students to "enlist" for a tour of duty and then chronicle the events and emotions that soldiers might have experienced during that tour. The site offers a collection of web links for beginning research, but students could also tackle this content using a school-approved search engine. Lots of creative possibilities here.

In the Classroom:
Take advantage of the free lesson plans and classroom activities offered in this site. The webquest has pre-prepared activities that teachers can immediately use for a unit on the Civil War.

The Day I Was Born Webquest Grade 4 to 6 - - 2127

Students will use the this online project to discover everything that was happening on the day they were born. After they research and record news headlines, songs, authors, movies, and other information that was current on their birthday, they will use the information they've discovered to write a biographical essay to share with the class. There are also some fun links thrown in that calculate how old you are in days or explain the meaning of your name. Tecahers can chose to register their class as part of this web-based project and share what they learn.

In the Classroom:
Use the entire project to learn about culture in history and about family and community, or choose selected portions or links as a research project of thier own.

Colonial America Grade 4 to 6 - University of Richmond- 9943

What if you could travel back in time to the earliest days of American history? Through the Colonial America web quest, each student will take on the role of a farmer, slave, artisan or woman from the colonial time period. They will research the character traits using the web quest and organize the information with the included graphic organizers. In conclusion, each small group will come together and create a play in order to share the stories of our colonial American ancestors with the class. The webquest has not been updated for a few years, so it would be wise to double-check links before using it in class. This site requires Adobe Acrobat. Some of the outside links require QuickTime. You can get both from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
After completing the webquest, have a "Play Day" and invite family members, other classes, and administration to come to the classroom and watch the plays. Video record the plays and post them to the class web page for those who could not make it to class. Share the videos using a site such as Teachers.TV (explained here).

Be sure to list this site (and activity) on your class website. Ask parents to assist with character research at home by providing the web quest link on the class web page. Don't forget that parents may be able help with props for the plays.

The Gift of Their Lives Grade 3 to 9 - Teaching and Learning for Peace Foundation- 9938

This WebQuest focuses on some great "heroes of peace" from the last 100-years! Students learn about changes in HOW people treat one another throughout the past century. The Process begins with reading a story called "The Wise Ones." Then students are asked to focus research on a specific peacemaker: Muhammad Ali, Mahatma Ghandi, Jane Goodall, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, or Desmond Tutu. Students are challenged to create a story (similar to the introduction story) involving the person they researched. ALL of the links to research are provided and were up to date at the time of this review. A scoring rubric is provided. Teachers - be sure to visit the Teacher Note section for additional information about this site. Some of the links to outside research require Adobe Acrobat and/or Flash. You can get both from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Share the introduction on your interactive whiteboard or projector. This is a great addition to a character education unit or a unit on peace in general. While this website does offer great research and project ideas, why not make it even MORE interactive and interesting to your students? Have students work in cooperative learning groups (or independently, if you prefer) to research or compare peacemakers of the past and present. Offer students other options to research also. Why not have students write a story (as the site suggests) but use a tool to create an online book, such as Bookemon reviewed here).

Sustainability: Bunyips Broadcasting Grade 3 to 8 - Ann Mason- 9937

This site offers an in-depth WebQuest about the plight of the Murray River in Australia and how it impacts the lives of Australians. Although the site focuses on Australia, the "big picture" is all about peace. The site states, "This WebQuest has been designed to stimulate imaginations and develop understandings, values and actions that hopefully will lead to the creation of many happy, win-win endings for all life upon Earth ensuring peace."

The task involves reading the story Caitie and the Kookabuggers and then completing a related project. Topics of projects include researching the Murray River, researching the Aboriginal dreaming stories, writing a new ending to the story, researching bunyips, or researching kookaburras. All of the links to research are provided. There is a ready-to-use rubric and Teachers Notes too. Some of the links to outside research sources require Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Share the story on your interactive whiteboard or projector. While this website does offer great research and project ideas, why not make it even MORE interactive and interesting to your students? Have students work in cooperative learning groups (or independently, if you prefer) and research the topic. Have students complete a multi-media presentation: wiki, blog, or video about their topic. Why not share the videos using a site such as Teachers.TV reviewed here).

Sustainability: The Mongoose and the Iguana Grade 3 to 9 - Ann Mason- 9936

This WebQuest explores the introduction of the mongoose to the Fijian Islands in 1883. Did you know it was introduced to eradicate rats in the sugar cane fields? Learn about issues related to introducing species and their impact on their environment at this site. This site teaches students more about sustainability. The WebQuest begins with a story The Mongoose and the Iguana. After reading the story, students are provided with several project options. At the time of this review, all links were working expect two (both research links on the project page).

In the Classroom:
Share the story The Mongoose and the Iguana on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Have cooperative learning groups explore this site and complete one of the culminating projects. If you want even MORE technology... why not have students create a multimedia presentation. Challenge students to create their own stories about sustainability. Have the groups create online books using a tool such as Bookemon (reviewed here).

Shakespeare's Macbeth: Evolution of a Leader Grade 9 to 12 - Katie Buskirk- 9926

While the introduction is missing on this webquest, all the other parts are there and it is enough for students to create the PowerPoint project. There is a simple task, with web sources given, and students have a wide range of persons to choose from. Web sources provided are neither extensive or imaginative. You will want to allow students to add others or provide other web sites yourself. Students working in pairs or small groups will decide what does or does not make an effective leader and will support their choices for defense against the class. Some of the links require Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
One of the interesting things about this site is that you can do this task with real OR fictional leaders. It might be a good way to compare unlike leaders such as Macbeth vs. Mustapha Mond (Brave New World) or Julius Caesar vs. Barack Obama. Opening the door to real vs. fictional characters allows students to weigh qualities off the page as well as on. While doing comparisons, have students write a fictitious wiki between the two leaders they compared.

Persuasion Quest Grade 6 to 9 - D. Ray- 9925

This is a very simple WebQuest designed to teach the power of propaganda. It uses commercial websites such as Kellogg's and the Baltimore Orioles to teach students how to distinguish fact from opinion. The ultimate project is to take a stand on Internet use and its value in schools. Standards are included. Some of sites used for the research require Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Because this is a plain vanilla site, it is easy for younger students to use. It is straightforward in both design and conclusion. You can expand this by adding other commercials sites after teaching and discussing propaganda techniques. You might have students create advertisements based on those they see and have others refute or improve those created advertisements. Have students video their commercials and share the videos on a tool such as SchoolTube (reviewed here), then allow others to comment and refute the techniques.

Traci's List of Ten: Literature Grade 6 to 12 - Traci Gardner- 9369

This is an idea site for those who teach literature. It is a plain vanilla site that offers ten interesting ways to involve students beyond mere essay writing on any piece of literature. Some of these ways are new twists on old ideas and several of them are rather innovative. Definitely worth a look if you are tired of reading the same things over and over. Although this site was created in 1998, the ideas are still relevant today.

In the Classroom:
The mix-n-match element of this particular list makes it interesting for students working on a novel or a longer story that could deal with several of these elements. Take one or two of the ideas and split them up among a class. Create a debate, complete with slide show, or webquest to involve students in the text.

Math Hunt Grade 3 to 8 - Scholastic- 9012

This website presents WebQuest-style math hunts. The math hunts connect to a variety of science or social studies topics: Antarctica, Earth Day, Human Body, Natural Disasters, the Rainforest, Black History, World Explorers, and numerous others. The math topics vary greatly from one activity to the next. Some are geared towards grades 3-5; others are more suitable for grades 6-8. Nearly all possible math topics are covered throughout the math hunts: decimals, percentages, ratios, measurement, algebra, fractions, basic operations, charts, graphs, averages, permutations, and countless others. There is a Teacher's Guide available with lesson plans, standards, objectives, and a skill chart. The skill chart correlates 16 math skills with math hunts for that specific skill. Be aware - the research websites were previewed by Scholastic, but you may want to preview all sites yourself before sending your students to investigate.

In the Classroom:
Use these interdisciplinary math hunts to integrate your science, social studies, language arts, research, and math lessons. Have students work independently or in cooperative learning groups to complete the math hunts. Be sure to check out the Skill Chart and Teacher's Guide for additional ideas. Why not allow your students to choose their own "math hunt" to explore. Remedial math students will enjoy this varied approach to skills practice.

Agriculture in the Classroom Grade 1 to 12 - USDA- 8937

Understand the importance of agriculture and visit a farm using your computer! Choose from the “Limits of the Earth” and “The Story of Milk” (in the Kids Zone Virtual Tours), among others. Spend time on the “4-H Virtual Farm” where you investigate different types of agriculture through movies, slides, and simulated tours. Explore the agricultural products we use every day as well as the biotechnology behind it. Other resources include Science in a Shopping Cart, Webquests, AgKnowledge quizzes, Teacher resources including lesson plans and science projects, and a Student Center for Teens and Kids. Most activities are geared for the younger grades though some links are more appropriate for secondary students. This site requires use of Quicktime and Flash. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom:
Use the activities to introduce a Food and Fiber unit. Identify the products produced by the various types of farms. Use the activities prior to a farm visit or presentation. Students can also count the different types of products used by their family and use the site for background research. This would be a great way for elementary students to study various farms as part of social studies lessons on producers and consumers. Family and Consumer Science classes can use this information to begin a unit on dairy, grain, or meat products. Use the information for students to follow goods from farm to table for presentation.

Hoax or Not? Grade 5 to 8 - Chris Clementi- 8860

This web quest offers guided practice for students to research on the Internet and evaluate sites. Students review given sites and research facts to determine if the information is fact or fiction. For a final project, students create a creature and use creative writing skills to write a hoax about the creature. A KWL chart, web site rating, final project rubric, and a tutorial for the final project are included. This site requires Adobe Reader for some pages. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom:
This activity would work well for individual or pairs of students in a lab or on laptops. Before you assign a research project on your middle school team, take the time to work through this webquest. Every student on the team will benefit when it comes time to do research in ANY subject. Perhaps you can "divvy up" the webquest tasks and time across multiple subjects so no one class needs spend too long on this foundation experience.

Langwitches Grade 2 to 12 - langwitches.org- 8642

This site's goal is to encourage ESL and language teachers to use technology as yet another tool in language teaching and learning. Guidelines and examples for a number of projects (digital recipes, digital movies) describe every step of the project from start to finish so that even a technological novice can complete them. Other features include a blog, a wiki teachers can contribute to, detailed tutorials for some of the projects, links to other projects including webquest creation, a regular podcast available by free subscription, and the promise of future project additions.

In the Classroom:
This site provides specific ideas for you to try. The specific ideas for using things as simple as digital cameras for project-based language learning are easily accomplished in any language classroom.

Guide to British Life, Culture and Customs Grade 3 to 8 - Woodlands Junior School- 8317

This website provides a one-stop adventure for anyone wishing to learn more about Great Britain. There are over 1500 pages of information and activities - all "kid-friendly", entertaining and educational. You will find information about British culture, history, flags, education, daily life, climate and weather, government, the royal family and more. There are also links available to classroom activities to use while teaching students about Great Britain. These activities include WebQuests, "Winnie the Pooh" adventures, comparisons of Great Britain to various states in the USA and other countries throughout the world, worksheets, interactive activities and other learning adventures. A true inspiration for your students is the fact that much of the content was created by students aged 7-11. Some of the activities require FLASH, get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom:
So many famous people and inventions are from Great Britain - J.K. Rowling, Shakespeare, the hovercraft vehicle, Darwin, Newton and countless others. If your class is learning about these famous people or inventions, use this website to further enhance their understanding of the people, inventions and culture of Great Britain.

As you study about what unites cultures into communities and countries, ask your class what they would include if they made a similar site about the city, state, or country where you teach. Use a wiki to start just such a site, including digital pictures. You can always start out simple and make a guide to your school itself -- including playground etiquette and favorite foods.

Independence Day Grade 1 to 5 - Joe Williamson- 7940

This simple WebQuest is a great tool to use for introducing your students to the history of July 4th, the meaning of symbols and independence. There is a lot of information available, which can easily be sifted through to find the useful activities for your classroom. A few of the links are no longer active, but the information should be relatively easy to find.

In the Classroom:
This is a great tool to introduce your class to the meaning of independence, symbols and more. Get an interactive whiteboard and take your students back in time - to 1776.

Show Me The Money Grade 4 to 7 - Caren Kelly- 7722

What student doesn't get excited about money? This highly motivating website is all about the stock market. This WebQuest challenges students (in groups of 3) to invest $5000 in a "virtual" stock market. Students must research, evaluate and choose stocks to track. Students must add, subtract and graph their stocks.

In the Classroom:
Be sure to visit the "teacher page" for a more in-depth lesson plan, standards, assessments, research resources and more. This is a great site to pull together and USE several math concepts. Consider it as a possible authentic assessment instead of a test.

Dust Bowl Memories Grade 4 to 8 - Lyndon and Barbara Irwin - 7019

This powerful WebQuest takes students back to the "Dust Bowl". Research, pictures and videos are provided. The final tasks include an interview, writing an original "tall tale," and creating a PowerPoint presentation. Quicktime is required for the video clips. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
This would be a great cooperative learning project! Remember to visit the "Teacher's page". The page provides hints and strategies for this lesson.

Juicy Studio: Readability Test Grade K to 12 - - 6986

Use this fabulous website to check readability levels on web sites before you assign them to your students or include them in a webquest. Open TWO windows on the internet: one for possible web sites and one with this tool, ready to go. Simply copy and paste the URL (web address)from the address bar when you are looking at the web page you want students to use. Paste it into the space on this site and click "Calculate Readability." Juicy Studio will give you a Gunning Fog Index score and a Flesch-Kincaid Grade level for the web page you provided. Be sure to read the explanations of what these scores mean! Note: This tool does not check an entire SITE, just the actual page you were looking at when you copied the URL. To be sure your students can read the entire site, select a page that is text-intense as the one you "test." As in any content reading book, illustrations, captions, and other graphics will help your students "read" any page, but sometimes they just need to be able to read the words!

Here's The Buzz About Honeybees Grade K to 3 - Missouri Farm Bureau and Missouri State University- 6834

This webquest is simple, well-designed and ready to go! Some of the activities include drawing pictures to represent the size of each type of honeybee, counting the sides of each cell of the hive, writing about the duties of the honeybees and more. All thinking skill levels are included from basic knowledge questions to evaluation activities.

In the Classroom:
In lower grades, this activity would be great as a guided activity in the computer lab or on laptops in your classroom. If you only have a computer or two, you could do some of the activities as centers. The teacher could direct the students throughout some of the activities and allow them to complete the writing, math problems and drawing activities on their own. A detailed grading rubric is included.

Historical Travel Itineraries Grade 4 to 9 - National Register of Historic Places- 6656

Designed for trip-planning, this site also works well for students researching a city or region, for planning an "imaginary adventure" or as part of a larger webquest or other online geography activity. The sites include scores of little-known places that have historic importance for one reason or another.

In the Classroom:
Try this one as the basis for a "did you know" contest, asking students to unearth little-known facts about a topic of interest to them.

Critical Evaluation of a Web Page Grade 6 to 8 - Kathy Schrock- 6538

Help students to become savvy Internet users with this nicely structured lesson plan, complete with print-friendly handouts. Students are asked to brainstorm characteristics that make a Web page useful, use a critical evaluation tool to analyze an actual site, determine if the information is real or bogus, and reflect on the importance of carefully evaluating information found on a Web site. Aligned to standards.

In the Classroom:
Use this lesson as an introduction to an Internet-based research project, Web hunt, or WebQuest.

Make Room Grade 7 to 8 - Amanda Pearcy- 6298

Students can apply knowledge of area and perimeter to a real life situation with this simple but effective WebQuest. The objective is to figure out how to paint and furnish the upstairs rooms of a new house, while working within a $2,500 budget. Students must examine the floor plan, compute area and perimeter, "shop for" and select materials, justify expenditures, and stay under budget. Aligned to standards.

Solve it with Logic Grade 9 to 12 - - 6207

Using the popular CSI format, this Webquest presents students with a realistic murder mystery, then challenges them to put their logic and reasoning to the test as they work to solve the crime. The goal is to construct a case file that includes witness interviews, factual evidence, motives, methods, and the name of the perpetrator. An excellent activity for fostering critical thinking skills or introducing the mystery genre in language arts class. Some of the "crime scene" photographs are a bit graphic, so use cautiously. Aligned to standards.

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? Grade 5 to 7 - - 6077

A time travel adventure has gone awry, and your students are stuck in the 17th century. In an attempt to make the best of a bad situation, they decide to throw a dinner party for some of the significant people of the era. But who should be invited and what should be served? How about the dress code? This WebQuest guides students through a hands-on role-playing activity as they explore 17th century life and culture.

It's Your Future Calling Grade 3 to 6 - Donna Horn- 5950

Start career education early with this WebQuest designed especially for elementary students. After a clever and motivating introduction, students are asked to investigate a variety of occupations, analyze their responsibilities and requirements, and develop a plan to help their future selves find a career that will make them happy.

Democracy and Iraq: Creating a constitution Grade 7 to 9 - Brian Matthews and Annie Day- 5907

This WebQuest puts students in the role of newly elected Iraq officials, intent upon writing a constitution for the recently liberated nation. Working in small groups and using the Constitution of the United States as a model, students must develop a document that will form the basis for a successful Iraqi government. Each group must then present their final document to the class for ratification.

Historical Treasure Chests Grade 5 to 8 - Stevens Institute of Technology- 5822

Personal history, U.S. history, and research combine in this "not-quite-a-WebQuest-but-close" activity. Part I asks students to compare and contrast primary and secondary sources of information. In Part II, students work in groups to analyze a variety of virtual primary source documents. The extension activities involve students in investigating their family's own "treasure chest" of primary source documents.

In the Classroom:
Save this site as a favorite on classroom computers and use it as a web quest-like activity. The site has an interdisciplinary focus that combines writing with history. Take advantage of this web quest in your classroom!

J. K. Rowling's Web Site Grade 3 to 8 - J. K. Rowling- 5726

J.K. Rowling's site is a welcome change from the standard publisher's fare, offering an assortment of Harry Potter trivia and many interesting facts about how the stories came to be and have evolved. While it's not strictly instructional, this one would be a great source of facts for a Harry Potter webquest.

Christmas Around the World Grade 3 to 6 - - 5482

This well-organized WebQuest involves students in investigating how Christmas is celebrated in cultures around the world. Materials and online resources are provided; the only thing you must contribute is the computer lab.

Sing Down the Moon Webquest Grade 6 to 8 - - 4159

Looking for a well designed Internet Hunt based on Scott O’Dell’s book about a Native American woman’s experiences on ‘the Long Walk’? This is it. There are 9 questions, each with a link for students to visit to gather specific information. For those students who enjoy research there are four Challenges that can extend their individual interests. We only wish students could enter answers on the site, instead teachers must print out everything or have students set up a separate computer file for responses.

Understanding Geologic Time Grade 5 to 10 - U.C. Berkeley- 4036

This site from U.C. Berkeley introduces students to geologic time, the evidence for events in Earth’s history, relative and absolute dating techniques, and the significance of the geologic time scale. Suitable for grades 5-10, the site uses animation effectively and is well-organized. Created with support from the National Science Foundation.

In the Classroom:
This webquest is a GREAT way to teach about geologic time in a way that is very student oriented. Save the site as a favorite on classroom computers, and have students work on it in pairs or cooperative learning groups. This could be used in any Earth Science or Geography class.

Images from the Fish and Wildlife Service Grade 4 to 12 - Fish and Wildlife Service- 3345

This is a collection of copyright-free, downloadable images of numerous plant and animal species. Image quality is adequate for either web or most publication use. The search feature - the only way to access images - finds species easily, but doesn't do as well with place names.

In the Classroom:
This is a good source of animal images for webquests, reports, and the like.

The Race to Build the Atomic Bomb Grade 9 to 12 - Contra Costa County Department of Education- 7808

This site is designed to be a resource for teachers and students on the atom bomb. There is an interactive time line, excellent graphics on the physics of the atom bomb, biographies of major characters in the story and good teacher resources including lesson plans. This site might be useful to both science and social studies teachers. The graphics on the physics of the atom bomb are great, but the historical context setting and discussion is also excellent. There are links to WebQuests, and information about California state standards met by the lesson plans.

In the Classroom:
Consider using this exploration about the development of the bomb as a focus while studying atomic particles or twentieth century history. The webquests are ready-to-go units or you can "cherry pick" sites to feature as a single class activity on laptops or in a lab.

Where Did We Come From? Grade 3 to 6 - University of Richmond- 9941

Where Did We Come From is a Web Quest that allows students to use their creative side to explore and express the traditional customs of many cultures. Students research how stories tell the tale of cultural beginnings and how their stories were translated through the media of dance, song, and pictures. Working in small groups or “tribes,” students write their own story of how their tribe was created. They proceed to tell their tribal story/myth by creating a dance, along with pictures, that translates their history. This site was last updated in 2003. At the time of this review, all links were working. The activity includes connections to Virginia Standards. This site requires Adobe Acrobat and Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Use this webquest as you study indigenous peoples of the Americas and other parts of the world and discuss the time before written history. Extend the project by having students create and implement basic, tribal-like instruments. For students who may feel uncomfortable performing in front of a group, infuse the project with more technology by having them record their dance and play it on the T.V. in the form of a documentary. Share the videos using a site such as TeacherTube .

Sustainability: The Journey Towards Tomorrow Grade 3 to 10 - Teaching and Learning for Peace Foundation- 9935

This site offers a WebQuest (with several task options) introducing and exploring the work of Dr. Jane Goodall and her conservation programs in Africa that were developed to protect the chimpanzees. Not only does the site focus on the chimpanzees, but also on the people in the surrounding communities. Students read the story "Where’s Willy Whalley?" and then choose one of the activity choices. Examples of activities include both research and writing (electronic stories, audio presentations, clay animations, and many others). There are countless sites provided, all about the work of Jane Goodall. Some of the links require Flash or Adobe Acrobat. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Bring Jane Goodall into your class! Share the story on your interactive whiteboard or projector. While this website does offer great research and project ideas, why not make it even MORE interactive and interesting to your students? Have students work in cooperative learning groups (or independently, if you prefer) and research the topics. Have students complete a multi-media presentation: wiki, blog, podcast, online book, or video about their topic. Not sure what a wiki is? Check out the TeacherFirst Wiki Walk-Through (reviewed here). How about an online book created using Bookemon (reviewed here). Looking to create a podcast, check out Podomatic (reviewed here).

The Crucible by Arthur Miller Grade 8 to 12 - Jane Edwards- 9795

This is a site created by a teacher to introduce students to the background of The Crucible before teaching. It is set up for 3 groups of students to complete research and activities and then share that knowledge with the rest of the class. The areas covered are the Salem Witch Trials, Arthur Miller, and McCarthyism. There is a nice downloadable WebQuest handout that can help students stay organized and since it downloads in Word, can be adjusted to your needs.

In the Classroom:
One of the nice things about this website is that it gives the simple (Wikipedia) through the more complex. You can structure the groups in ways that determine how deeply you want your students to involve themselves. If politics is more of a focus, then the group dealing with McCarthyism can do addition research beyond the links posted here. A nice extra is a link to the National Geographic virtual witch hunt, which gives students a slightly different view, closer to home.

National Grandparents Day Grade K to 6 - National Grandparents Day Council- 9526

This site focuses on those important people: grandparents. Learn about the history of the holiday, when the holiday is celebrated, and find numerous classroom ideas to celebrate these important people in our students' lives. There is a link For Teachers with a WebQuest (designed for middle to upper level elementary or middle school students). Under the link The Task you will find several individual activities that students of any age could do with their grandparent. Another link Activities and Resources offers a lot of information for teachers and parents. There are video clips, songs, printable pages, and more. This site requires Flash, Media Player, and Adobe Acrobat. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Be aware that some students may have recently lost a grandparent; be sure to provide other options for some of the activities (for example, interview an aunt or uncle, rather than a grandparent).

Share the video clips (about the history of the holiday) on your projector or interactive whiteboard. Visit the Task page to learn several ways to incorporate this holiday into your language arts, social studies, or even music classes. You may want to share this site with families on your website or in your class newsletter.

Multimedia in Education Grade 6 to 10 - Chris Clementi- 8897

This website will challenge students and teachers alike. The website is in WebQuest format, but could easily be broken down into a shorter lesson. The main topic is multimedia in education and designing multimedia products to fit the content and the audience of the presentation. Nearly every student and/or teacher can learn something new about computer capabilities. This website is eye-opening and very well done. The "task" is to choose a topic (such as culture, weather, animals, or world issues) and to choose images and videos to complement the research topic. Students also have the option to add sound effects and music.

By completing this web activity, students learn about various computer programs available (such as Audacity, Movie Maker, iMovie, WMP, and Real Player). Other technology topics discussed include resizing images, identifying the differences between a jpg and gif, how to grab audio from videos, and much more. There are detailed directions available in PDF format. This website requires FLASH and Adobe, get both from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

Teachers, you might want to try some of these activities on your own. You might be surprised at how much information you will learn about computer capabilities and multimedia in education. Perhaps you can create a sample student project as an individualized professional development goal beofe doing this unit with your team.

In the Classroom:
What a fabulous website to use to integrate technology into your lessons (in science, social studies, LA, and other curriculum areas). Use this website as a process step the first time students research any topic so they can create an effective multimedia presentation as their final project. If you team teach (as in middle school), orient the entire team to multimedia projects using this site early in the year, so all teachers can assume the same skills in your students.

Searching for China Grade 6 to 12 - Knowledge Network Explorer- 7381

Designed to integrate use of technology in the classroom, this site uses China as a focus for the activities. There are four general resource sites and two WebQuests (which are listed separately on TeachersFirst). "Hotlist" takes you to a comprehensive set of resources on China, grouped into categories (e.g. Background, Geography, Culture, Religion, Human Rights, the Environment). This section would be ideal for students to use in tracking down resources for a project. "Exploring China" is designed to be a multimedia activity in which students can find images of China and compile them into a presentation. "The Treasures of China" section begins with 10 questions covering a breadth of information about China, and points students toward resources to find the answers to the questions. Finally, "My China" suggests general topics which might be good sources of inspiration for students looking to plan a project on China.

The strength of this site is that students are urged to see China from multiple viewpoints, and to confront, head on, some of the contradictions of China today. There are more than simply the usual "glory of China" type resources; students are given information about the envirnomental crisis that is caused by China's rapid growth, about the impact of China's population explosion and attempts to curb its birthrate, and about human rights issues under China's government. The text accompanying the resources suggests students ask hard questions about what they are reading, and arrive at what the site refers to as statements of "truth" about China today. In these respects, this site is head and shoulders above most resource-heavy sites.

In the Classroom:
Choose one of the many different approaches to China offered on this site, or use them all. There is enough here to form the backbone of your students' exploration. Have them choose aspects to investigate and question in a student-directed activity designed to meet a contract. Maybe have the class create a China wiki to share what they discover?

Black History Homepage Grade 6 to 12 - At&T Knowledge Network- 7375

This site is a starting point for several different resources. Three are resource overviews and are reviewed here. There are also two WebQuests (reviewed separately). The site seeks to show how Black History can be explored using the World Wide Web, and includes a very large number of resources. The link labeled "Hotlist" is just that: a collection of links to sites with information related to Black History. The links are nicely sorted into categories. The link "Black History Past to Present" includes an interactive questionnaire with links to resources that might be useful in answering the questions. There are helpful summarizing questions that might lead students toward a thesis statement for an essay or project. Finally, the link "Sampling African America" acknowledges that many students may feel little connection to the issues explored under the heading "Black History" and provides a series of theme-related resources (e.g. Malcolm X, the Buffalo Soldiers, Martin Luther King, Jr., images of Blacks in European art), with thoughtful questions aimed at bringing students into connection with the issues. Some of the links require Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
The real value of this site is in its push for analysis and synthesis. Many sites present a laundry list of resources, biographies, speeches and events. This site does that (and does it well), but also circles back to ask students to consider what it all might mean, and what it can mean to them personally. The text used on the site is personal and informal. Using this site with reluctant students might be enough to break through and get them involved and thinking.

The different types of web-based activities can also give you ideas for ways to structure investigations of other topics for student work on the web.

Australia’s Lost Kingdoms Grade 5 to 8 - Australian Museum- 6942

Choose a geological time period in Australia to learn about animals, climate, vegetation and what was going on in the rest of the world. Each time period showcases animals that lived during the period and includes links to view fossils dating to the period. Movies are small in size and do not have narrative explanations. Real Player is needed to view movies. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Turn students loose on a webquest to gather information on the different geological time periods. Short of time? Use a projector to give students an overview of the geological time periods of the earth and to point out highlights some of the time periods.

DDT: To Ban or Not to Ban Grade 9 to 10 - - 6001

Using Rachel Carson's Silent Spring as a foundation, this WebQuest introduces students to the historical use of DDT and asks them to think critically about its future application. Students must work in groups to gather information as part of a United Nations Task Force and decide whether or not to persuade other countries to ban the use of the pesticide - a practice already in place in the United States.

Do History Grade 9 to 12 - Harvard University- 5871

Using an 18th century New England midwife as a case study, this site introduces students to the intricate business of piecing together history from the fragments that have survived. Students can browse an online diary, use the site's "magic lens" tool to read the text, and gain some insight into the nuances of transcribing centuries-old handwriting. Challenge your students to explore and develop an understanding of the life and times of this colonial woman through her own words. The site also offers a chance to investigate a criminal case from 1789, using diary entries and corresponding court records.

In the Classroom:
Take advantage of the free lesson plans and activities offered on this site! The "Doing History" section would make an excellent webquest or classroom activity if teachers are willing to print out the resources. If doing it as a class, introduce the site on the interactive whiteboard or projector before dispersing materials and having students work on the activity in groups. The activity is a great way for students to understand bias, validity and differences that historians find among primary sources. This would also be an interesting way to reflect on the roles of women in society and how they may have changes.

Weather Hunt Grade 8 to 12 - Duval County Public Schools- 5638

This well-structured, high-level Web hunt helps students understand the many complex pieces that combine to form and influence the weather. After following links to find answers to questions about basic weather concepts, students are asked to analyze current weather maps and enter responses in spaces provided on the site. At the end of the activity, students can click on the "Create My Full Report" button to generate an electronic record of their research that can be printed, or copied and pasted into a Word document.

History Mystery Grade 4 to 8 - Scholastic- 4960

Turn a history lesson into an interactive investigation! Students can strengthen their skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, and Internet research as they become historical sleuths and work their way through these entertaining activities. Select from dozens of topics relating to American and world history. Some of the sleuthing activities require students to uncover the identity of a personality. Others send students on trails to discover a particular era or geographic location. This site can be used to introduce a unit, review important concepts, or enrich and expand regular classroom activities.

From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler: Math Connections Grade 4 to 6 - Hobart, IN Schools- 4103

Looking for an activity to weave real life math skills into your Curriculum? School City of Hobart offers students a fresh approach to the reading of E. L. Konigsburg’s 1968 award winning novel. Students are asked to use their practical math skills to budget the character’s trip and to compare the information to today’s costs. Users will find the initial lesson matrix easy to use and the projects take the students into new avenues of thought.

What Did T. rex Taste Like? Grade 9 to 12 - U.C. Berkeley- 4035

This well-organized site from U.C. Berkeley provides high school students with an introduction to cladistics (a way of organizing living things by common ancestry and evolutionary relationships) and involves students in posing hypotheses about past life based upon evolutionary history. The site was created with support from the National Science Foundation.

In the Classroom:
Use this webquest as a learning center or station during a unit on cladistics. Save this site as a favorite on classroom computers and have students complete the activity in pairs or cooperative learning groups. This would be a great activity during a Biology class.

Writing for the Web Grade 1 to 12 - - 3915

Teachers who are developing on-line materials face a new challenge in the writing style required for these project. While this British treatment is likely overkill for the casual web page developer, writers can apply the general principles to even the smallest web endeavor. Mark this one as a useful reference tool.

American History Timeline Links Grade 4 to 12 - Smithsonian- 3811

The Smithsonian’s timeline links are a sort of chronological trip through the Smithsonian’s attic. Each presents an exhibit, artifact, or other piece of history from a particular period. Part of the attractiveness of this site is the eclectic nature of the results that you get from the various links. If you’re interested in teaching history from different angles, there are lots of resources here.

In the Classroom:
For virtually every topic in history, there is a corresponding site and activity here! Every topic has a variety of resources, from webquests to free lesson plans. Look at the time-line for your corresponding unit, and take advantage of the free resources the Smithsonian has put together! An excellent resource for any Social Studies teacher.

Pony Express History Grade 4 to 8 - - 3145

A detailed, text-heavy account of the formation and history of the pony express mail service in the western United States. What this site lacks in visuals it more than makes up for with its collection of colorful stories about the owners and riders in this uniquely American communication service.

In the Classroom:
Save the "bunkhouse" portion of this site as a favorite and allow students to use it as a learning center. There are many sections student can research as well as a quiz section teachers can use to assess their participation in the webquest. This site would be a great supplement during a unit on Westward expansion.

Battle of the Battlefields Grade 6 to 8 - SCORE- 2176

Here's a group project site that asks students to research Revolutionary War battlefields and select the one that they feel was most important as the site for a new museum. This project offers lots of web resources for research, but students could also work independently using a school-approved search engine. The site includes teacher instructions and notes. From the California SCORE program.

Economics Mini-Quests Grade 6 to 12 - Ecnomics for Tomorrow- 2172

Created by Economics for Tomorrow, these quests give students a chance to use the web to explore the economics behind common activities like careers, shopping, taxes, and manufacturing. Each quest sets up the economic issues, then provides one or more web links students can use to explore the situation. These could be a neat way to sneak economics into social studies, world cultures, history, or the like.

In the Classroom:
Use the tools on this site to help students review economics lesson. If saved on classroom computers this site could be used as a learning center OR posted on the classroom website to allow them to review on their own. There are a lot of links here so be sure to peruse it to find the appropriate one for your classroom.

American Writers Grade 6 to 12 - C-Span- 157

This beautifully crafted site provides students with in-depth information on American writers and their works. Students can use the site’s search feature to zero in on an era in American history, a specific author, or a book title. The site features many video clips from the companion C-SPAN series. A high-speed connection is a must.

In the Classroom:
You can pick and choose not only which author you want, but what information you want to use. You can choose short video clips shown on a projector either as a lesson in themselves (using the suggested questions or ones of your own); you can create a webquest using a combination of both this site and other sites linked from it; or you can use this as a straightforward internet lesson, using the material presented on the site itself. It is easily expandable to history and you can watch the video, a video clip, or read the transcript. Video requires Real Player.