B1.+Middle+East+Webquest

A WebQuest for 7th grade Social Studies __ [|Introduction] __ | __[|Task]__ | __[|Process]__ |[| Product] |[| Evaluation] | __[|Conclusion]__ | ** Introduction ** A local TV station wants to create a new series about the best countries to visit in the world. It is your job to investigate the Middle East. You will need to select a country in the Middle East that you would like to explore. Then you will need to research and organize a presentation highlighting the culture and history of that country. [|Back to top] ________________________________________________________________________  ** The Task ** Your task is to organize your information into a Power Point presentation for a country in the Middle East. It is your job to sell your country making it as interesting and inviting as possible. You will research the country’s culture, history, geography, economy, government, and places of interests. [|Back to top] ________________________________________________________________________  ** Process ** Saudi Arabia Israel Iran Turkey Iraq Afghanistan  a. Title – name of country  b. Geography – small outline of country and capital city also include geographic features (land and water forms)  c. Flag – a picture of the country’s flag  d. Government – type, current leader, etc.  e. Climate – average temperature, rainfall, etc.  f. Economy – products and services provided, currency, average income, etc.  g. History timeline of major historical events – from early civilizations to the present  h. Culture and Arts – language, housing, religion, holidays, traditional and modern art and/or music  i. Places of Interests – landmarks, tourist attractions, monuments, etc.  j. Native dress – picture representing people of your country  k. Food dish – one recipe of an authentic food  l. One interesting fact – anything that may be unique **__ Internet resources __** ** ArabNet ** ([]) ArabNet Technology (ANT) has developed a comprehensive resource on the Arab World. Each country includes information on the country’s history, geography, business, culture, government, general statistics, and a tour guide. ** Country Reports ** ([|http://www.countryreports.org]) At this site you can search a country alphabetically. Each country includes a general profile, background notes, history, flags, national anthem and lyrics, maps, and related links. ** Mr. Dowling’s Electronic Passport ** ([|http://www.mrdowling.com]) This site developed by Mr. Dowling, a middle school teacher, is a resource for learning more about other countries and cultures of the world. It includes information on the history, geography, religions, culture, and conflicts of the Middle East. ** CIA World Fact Book ** ([]) This site includes information on every major country including its people, government, geography, economy, transportation, and much more. ** History in the News: The Middle East ** ([]) The Department of History at New York’s University at Albany has compiled a collection of briefly annotated resources about the Middle East. The culture section includes art, architecture, language, and food links. ** Federal Reserve Division: Country Studies ** ([]) Developed by the Federal Research division of the Library of Congress this site includes tons of information about countries around the world. Each country listing includes detailed information about the country’s education, religion, economics, government, health, and history. ** Puzzle Maker ** ([]) Use this site to create a crossword puzzle about your country. Your puzzle should include a minimum of 10 questions. ** Timeline Generator ** ([]) Use this site to create your timeline of historical events. Your timeline should include a minimum of 10 events. [|Back to top] ________________________________________________________________________  ** Product ** Organize your information to create a Power Point presentation. You should include an introductory slide with title and names of group members. There is a 15 slide minimum and the last slide should include works cited. Finally you will be ready to present to the class. [|Back to top] ________________________________________________________________________  ** Evaluation ** The following rubric will be used to assess your project. ** (20 pts.) ** || Student makes eye contact with the audience; speaks slowly and clearly; is enthusiastic: has prepared ahead of time what will be said in a clear and concise manner. ** (20 pts.) ** ||  Student makes some eye contact; speaks too fast or too slow; has prepared ahead of time what will be said. ** (17 pts.) ** || Student makes limited eye contact; speaks too fast or too slow; part of the project is missing, or the presenter is unfocused; has not prepared what will be said. ** (15 pts.) ** ||  Student does not make eye contact; speaks too fast or too slow; part of the project is missing, and the presenter is unfocused. The speaker does not show much interest in the topic. ** (13 pts.) ** ||   || ** (10 pts.) ** || Presentation is well organized with a beginning, middle, and end. There is a strong organizing theme (within each presentation and between presenters), with clear main ideas and transitions. ** (10 pts.) ** ||  Presentation is organized individually with a beginning, middle, and end, but lacks any transitions to other presenters. ** (8 pts.) ** ||  Presentation shows an attempt at organization with a clear purpose, but lacks transitions or may read as a list of facts. ** (7 pts.) ** || Presentation shows little organization, unclear purpose, unclear relationship and/or transition between presenters, rambles or may seem like a list of facts. Lacks conclusion. ** (6 pts.) ** ||  || ** (20 pts.) ** ||  Information is complete and accurate. Excellently explains all of the required elements. Clear evidence of research. ** (20 pts.) ** ||  Effectively describes all of the required elements. Some incorrect information included in the presentation. ** (17 pts.) ** ||  Most of the required elements are explained, but some details are missing or incorrect information is included. ** (15 pts.) ** || Details and examples are lacking or not well chosen for the topic or audience. Lacks evidence of research. ** (13 pts.) ** ||   || ** (20 pts.) ** || Visual aids are well done and are used to make presentation more interesting and meaningful. Slides include appropriate graphics and visually appealing. ** (20 pts.) ** ||  Visually appealing. ** (17 pts.) ** ||  Limited use of color or distracting colors. ** (15 pts.) ** ||  Very little use and/or poor use of visual aids. No use of color or very distracting colors. ** (13 pts.) ** ||   || ** (5 pts.) ** || Three or more sources cited. Used proper format in bibliography. ** (5 pts.) ** ||  Two sources cited. Used proper format. ** (4 pts.) ** ||  Only one source cited or improper format. ** (3 pts.) ** ||  No sources cited. ** (2 pts.) ** ||  || ** (10 pts.) ** ||  Facts were accurate for all events in timeline, timeline contained at least 8 to 10 events, and an accurate date has been included for each event. ** (10 pts.] ** ||  Facts were accurate of almost all events in timeline, the timeline contained at least 6 to 7 events, and an accurate date has been included for most of the events.    ** (8 pts.) **  ||  Facts were accurate for 75% of the events, the timeline contained at least 5 events, and an accurate date has been included for most of the events.    ** (7 pts.) **  ||  Facts were often inaccurate for events in the timeline, the timeline contained fewer than 5 events, and several of the dates are inaccurate.    ** (6 pts.) **  ||   || ** (10 pts.) ** ||  Challenging, interesting, informative, and original.    ** (10 pts.) **  ||  Interesting, informative, and original.    ** (8 pts.) **  ||  Informative and original.    ** (7 pts.) **  ||  Original.    ** (6 pts.) **  ||   || ** (10 pts.) ** ||  Each member participates fully in gathering information and creating the Power Point presentation; the members work together as a supportive, cooperative team. ** (10 pts.) ** ||  Each member participates fully in gathering information and creating the Power Point presentation. ** (8 pts.) ** ||  Either the members do not share equally in gathering information and creating the Power Point presentation or one or more members exhibit an argumentative, uncooperative attitude towards other members in the group. ** (7 pts.) **  ||  The members do not share equally in gathering information and creating the Power Point presentation and one or more members exhibit an argumentative, uncooperative attitude towards other members in the group. ** (6 pts.) ** ||   || ** (5 pts.) ** || Includes a minimum of 15 slides. ** (5 pts.) ** ||  Includes 12 to 14 slides. ** (4 pts.) ** ||  Includes 8 to 11 slides. ** (3 pts.) ** ||  Includes fewer than 8 slides. ** (2 pts.) ** ||   || [|Back to top] ________________________________________________________________________  ** Conclusion ** You have now completed your presentation on a country in the Middle East. You have also had a chance to view other student presentations. Now you should have a better understanding of the diverse cultures that exist in the Middle East. What were some of the distinctive features of each country? Which country has had to overcome the most adversity? Finally, which country was the most interesting to you? For our culminating activity we will celebrate the culture and food of the Middle East by having your group prepare an authentic food dish common to your country. You may prepare the recipe included in your presentation or search for another. You need to provide enough for everyone to taste. [|Back to top] _____________________________________________________________________              <span style="height: 36pt; margin-left: 315pt; margin-top: 0.8pt; position: absolute; width: 36pt; z-index: -6;">   <span style="height: 36pt; margin-left: 387pt; margin-top: 0.8pt; position: absolute; width: 36pt; z-index: -7;">  <span style="height: 103.5pt; margin-left: 153pt; margin-top: 12.15pt; position: absolute; width: 108pt; z-index: -1;">
 * Explore the Middle East **
 * 1)  First you will be assigned a country. The possible countries are as follows:
 * 1)  Your presentation should include the following elements:
 * 1)  Once you have chosen a country you will need to divide the information requirements equitably among group members.
 * 1)  You may use resources in the library and on the Internet for your research. The following are possible resource materials:
 * || ** Distinguished ** || ** Proficient ** || ** Intermediate ** || ** Novice ** || ** Score ** ||
 * ** Presentation **
 * ** Organization **
 * ** Research **
 * ** Visual **
 * ** Sources **
 * ** Timeline **
 * ** Crossword Puzzle **
 * ** Participation **
 * ** Other Requirements **