by Marcia Hansen
In this web quest built around a "National Treasure" theme, students will choose what they would like to learn about the state of Wisconsin from a wide range of motivational ideas. They will experience oral presentation to a group and will contribute to a physical collaborative class project.
Teacher Introduction
National Treasure...Wisconsin!
When my family was getting ready to move to Wisconsin sixteen years ago, my fellow teachers in Iowa who had vacationed in Wisconsin unanimously exclaimed, "That's God's country!" Having only come as close to Wisconsin as O'Hare airport, I was cautiously optimistic. What I have discovered by living here for these years is that Wisconsin is, indeed, a testament to some of God's greatest handiwork. What I know from not being born and raised here is that Wisconsin, to many, is a national secret. To the children in our classrooms, the state that they are growing up in can become a national treasure if they are given the opportunity to explore and "dig a little" to uncover its value.
This unit will support Wisconsin curriculum standards for fourth graders. From a broad list of topics specifically related to Wisconsin, students will choose research areas based on their own personal preference and interest, raising the level of motivation from the beginning of the project. Using guided diary pages intended to enhance comprehension and internalization of their research, students will begin the process of interpreting facts to their peers in the form of an oral presentation and final collaborative product.