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You're In Charge!
Planning an Adventure Trip

 

Introduction

This project was created as part of the Adventures Unit in the 6th grade English curriculum in Montgomery County Public Schools (Rockville, Maryland).

Learners

This WebQuest was created for students in 6th grade.

Process

*Before this project, have a class discussion on the what an adventure is and the five characteristics on an adventure (suspense, action, danger, conflict or quest, and excitement).

Step One: Investigate four possible trip locations

*I randomly put the students in groups by giving them a group number on a card as they enter the room.

 In your group, each member has a critical job to complete! Each member will evaluate the trip location websites based on an assigned role.  Fill out the evaluation graphic organizer (Click here) as you are searching through the websites.

*The evaluation graphic organizer can be completed on the computer and printed out or handed in electronically, if your school has that option.

INVESTIGATIVE ROLES

*You can decide how to assign the roles in each group.  If a group can not come to a decision, I tell the student whose name comes first in the alphabet to be in charge of the first role, etc.

Cost Calculator

Money, money money!  You job is to calculate how much each trip is going to cost.  Explore the sites for per person costs and group rates.

Calculate it!
Click here for a calculator.

Also consider traveling costs.  The farther away we travel, the more money we will spend on gas.

Click here to get the distance from Wood Middle School.

Adventure Accumulator

GOT ADVENTURE? Think about the five characteristics of adventure.  Your job is to find out what programs each location offers.  Are they exciting?  Are they action-packed? Go forth and find the fun!

Facilities Finder

I'm hungry!!!  Well, your job is to find out what types of facilities each location offers.  Do they have restrooms, a place to eat lunch, snacks, or a cafeteria to buy food?  Also, find out if they provide necessary equipment and if emergency services are provided.  

     TRIP LOCATION WEBSITES

Step Two:  Choosing and Planning

   Each member of the team should present their findings. Discuss your investigation notes for 9 minutes (each member getting 3 minutes each).  As a group answer the task question, Which trip would you like to go on?  Once you choose a destination, fill out the choosing and planning worksheet (Click here ).

*The choosing and planning worksheet can be completed on the computer and printed out or handed in electronically, if your school has that option.

 

 

Step Three: Create a Persuasive PowerPoint Presentation

*Before step three, I model how to make a PowerPoint presentation.  We also spend time discussing methods or persuasion.

    Here comes the tough part!  You must persuade Mr. Brubaker to let you go on the trip your group has planned.  As a group, create a persuasive PowerPoint Presentation.  Click here and read the instruction sheet before moving on.

*The instruction sheet gives the students the slides they are responsible for creating based on their role.  This was done so each student can create one of the persuasive slides.

Evaluation:

* Review the rubric with students before they begin the PowerPoint Project.

Click here for the PowerPoint rubric.

Conclusion: 

*Before the students begin the conclusion, teach them how to write a business letter. 

You've done it!  All of your hard work has paid off.  Mr. Brubaker has approved your idea for a new end of the year trip.  However, your work is not complete yet!  Now, each group member must write a business letter to the company your group selected requesting the use of their facilities.  Read the prompt (Click here) before you begin to write your letter.

*Review the rubric with the students before they begin the business letter.

 

Any questions can be sent directly to me by e-mail.

Scott Perrone

 

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