.Introduction

Your sixth grade teachers have just received a grant that will allow us to travel throughout Canada.  We will have 4 weeks to travel throughout the country and we want to bring back  lots of information and ideas to share with all of our students.  You and your team are being asked to design our trip.  You will create the best itinerary that will allow us to explore our special interests.

Here's a list of the teachers who are planning to participate in this trip and what it is each of us wants to concentrate on:
 

• Mrs. Clark and Ms. Mickola are very interested in science and ecology and want to learn more about the various habitats found in Canada.  They're interested in the landforms and climates found there as well as the types of plants, trees, crops, and animals. Mrs. Clark is concerned about Canada's environment and wonders what environmental problems the Canadians are dealing with.  Both of them want to visit some of Canada's impressive parks and want to experience some of the varied landscapes found in Canada.

• Mrs. Weissman wants to find out about how the government of Canada and its provinces compares to the state and federal government of the U.S.  She’s also really interested in history and wants to find out more about how Canada got settled and how it became an independent country.   She'd also like to visit some of the important historical sites and see some of the government buildings.

• Mr. Peyton is very interested in Canada’s economy. He heard that Canada is our biggest trading partner, but he wants proof.  He'd like to visit some agricultural sites and some manufacturing sites.   He also wants to know whether agriculture or manufacturing is more important to Canada’s economy.  Mr. Peyton  also interested in comparing Canada’s imports and exports to those of the U.S. He also hopes to do some canoeing or rafting.

• Mrs. Weimann and Mr. Wright love numbers, especially big ones!!  They want to visit some of the biggest things Canada has to offer - cities, buildings, rivers,provinces,  mountains, etc.  As long as it's big, they want to see it!  Mr. Wright and Mrs. Weimann are looking forward to keeping track of everyone's expenses also.

• Finally, all of us are interested in Canada's varied cultures, including the native cultures.  We'd like to see some examples of native art, visit some festivals, eat Canadian food, and experience what it's like to live like a Canadian.

Designing this trip to meet all these interests will be a challenge! 
 

You and your team will be using the internet, materials in the media center, and classroom materials to research these areas of interest. 

You will be working together to design the itinerary for your traveling teachers.

You and your team will prepare a convincing "sales pitch" or commercial for us.  Your "sales pitch" will need to persuade us to choose your itinerary for our trip. Your "sales pitch" will include a variety of visual aids to help us  decide which trip to choose. 

You will present your "sales pitch" to us.  All members of your team will be involved in the presentation.  You may present your sales pitch in whatever format you choose. 

  TThe team whose itinerary and sales pitch is chosen as the one we should follow, will receive bonus points.  Each person on the team will be allowed to choose one assignment, project, test, or quiz during the current trimester,  and have 10 points added to the grade received.

So, how are you going to accomplish this?

   First, you'll be assigned to a team of 3-5 students. 

    Next, as a group you will decide who will be responsible for each of the following group jobs.  Each person in the group must have a job. If there are fewer than five people in your group, the  Reader job can be combined with one of the other jobs.  As soon as you have decided which of you is doing which job, you will need to give me a list of job assignments.

• Taskmaster - This is the person who will be responsible for keeping the group focused and "on-task".  This person needs to understand what you're supposed to be doing. 
• Timekeeper- This person will help the Taskmaster keep the group focused by making sure that the group doesn't spend too much time on a task.   This person will be sure that the group uses its time wisely and help the group stay on schedule with deadlines.
• Recordskeeper - This person will maintain the group's records in your group folder.  This person should be someone who can keep track of things! 
• Mouser - This person will be responsible for handling the mouse while your group is accessing the computer and will do any typing necessary during the computer research part of this project.
• Reader - This person will read the computer screen aloud to the group.

Next, you need to read through the "Itinerary Requirements" so that you understand what you are looking for.

Your next step is read through the  "Sales Pitch Requirements " to familiarize your team with what your sales pitch needs to include.

Now you need to read the "Map Requirements" so you know what to do.

   Now you need to begin your research.  Choose a topic and use the "Resources List" to find information on your topic.  You will need to use the internet to access the websites, but you will also need to use the books, maps, pamphlets, and other materials I have set aside for you in the classroom and in  the media center.  A printed copy of the resource list is available and should be kept in your group folder.

• Canadian History - Exploration, Settlement, Independence, Modern
• Economy - Trade, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Commercial Fishing
• Cultural Groups - First Nations, English, French, Others
• Cultural Activities - Art, Festivals, Music, Food, Etc.
• Geography - Landforms, Climate
• Environment - Habitats, Plants, Animals, Issues

You will create a printed itinerary which describes what we'll be doing and seeing for each day of our trip. Each person on your team will be responsible for creating at least 3 complete entries.  Each entry in the itinerary will include:

• Name and location of destination
• A description of this place.  Why is this a significant place to see?
• A description of any activities we will participate in
• An illustration or picture of this place
• Any costs associated with this place in  Canadian and US dollars
• Total distance traveled between last place visited.

• Name of lodging and its location
• A short description
• The cost in Canadian and US dollars

• Name of service/mode of transportation
• The cost in Canadian and US dollars.

Your team will prepare a map of Canada which clearly shows the route we will be traveling. 

Your map must be in color and you must label the places we will be visiting. 

You will also need to include a key.

  Finally, the total mileage for this trip needs to be shown.

Your team will present a 3-5 minute oral "sales pitch" or commercial which tries to convince your teachers to choose your itinerary for this 4 week trip through Canada.

All team members must participate in the presentation.

Visual aids must accompany your presentation.  These include:

• Your map which clearly traces the route we will travel.
• Your itinerary which describes what we'll be doing and seeing for each day of our trip.
• You may include other items.

RETURN TO HOME PAGE

You will receive an individual grade and a team grade for this project. 

Each piece of the project will be evaluated using the following Group Process Rubric and the Project Rubric.  Your project will be evaluated by yourselves, your peers, and by me.  Your participation as a group member will also be evaluated by yourself and by the other members of your group.

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Your Score	Peer Score	Teacher Score
Itinerary	One or more required element may be missing.  Details are limited and/or there are numerous factual or mechanical errors .	All required elements are present.  Details show effort.  Some mechanical errors may be present.	All required elements are present.  Rich details show thought and/or creativity. Minor errors may be present.	All required elements are present.  Rich details show thought and/or creativity. Additional information is included and there are no errors.	x	x	x
Map	One or more required element may be missing. No apparent attempt at quality. Numerous errors are present.	All required elements are present.  Map shows attempt at quality.  Some errors may be present	All required elements are present.  Map is neat, writing is legible, and shows evidence of planning and/or creativity. Minor errors may be present.	All required elements are present.  Map shows careful thought and planning and/or creativity.  Additional information is included and there are no errors.		v	b
Sales Pitch	One or more required elements may be missing.  There is no evidence of planning or practice.	All required elements are present.  There is evidence of planning and practice.	All required elements are present.  Presenters are well-rehearsed and show enthusiasm for their product.	All required elements are present.  Presenters are well-rehearsed and show enthusiasm for their product. Pitch is creative and persuasive.	v	x	x

Now that you have completed this project:

• You have learned a great deal about our "Neighbor to the North."
• You will have explored this amazing country.
• You will have realized that Canada and the United States share many things in common.
• You will have gained experience in using a variety of resources to complete research.
• You will have gained experience in creating a multi-task project.
• You will have practiced cooperative problem-solving skills.
• You will have had fun!

Webquest template:http://edweb.sdsu.edu/webquest/LessonTemplate.html