Webquests...Your Best Tech Activity for 2017

"Webquest" is flagged by with Spell Check because it's actually a new word.  It is a fabulous way to fit more than one subject into your ELA block while they read informational text.  It holds students accountable, allows them freedom to explore a site, requires them to read carefully, answer questions (you are in control of the level!!), and use a QR code. Advanced groups may begin to create their own webquests and QR codes!

Here is how it works...
Step 1: Choose a specific topic, such as a person or social studies topic.  I have found that people work really well.  Certain topics in history are a great choice as well.  Science topics would be excellent as well as online stories for ELA.

Step 2: Find a student-friendly website about your topic/story.  I like Duckster's  for social studies topics.  If it is just for your class, you could use an online encyclopedia site that your district has purchased licenses for students.

Step 3:  Read the article and write your questions using Word or Google Docs. Don't forget to consider some higher level questioning such as analyzing and inferencing types.

Step 4: Copy the web address from your browser and you will paste it when you make the QR code. I like this QR Code Generator page...it's simple and free. You simply paste your web address into the area that says, "Website URL".  Click on "Create QR Code" and BOOM, it appears to the right of the screen.  Download it and save the image.

Step 4: Copy/Paste or insert your QR code onto your question page. Make sure your iPads or devices have a QR reader app downloaded. (see step 5)

Step 5:  You now have a great set of your own questions ready to run off for a station. All you need are your students to be trained on how to scan a QR code, and it's very simple. I like the i-nigma QR scanner app because it's simple, free, and it works great.

Ok- so you may not have time to do that - so here are a couple of ready-to-go sets of Webquests for social studies.  These are geared for third grade, but second graders can do this, and I have fourth grade teachers who have used them as well. Since I teach GT first and second graders, I have no doubt they could handle these webquests with a little training. 

This set includes: Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, The American Flag, The Turtle, and Boston, Massachusetts.

This Mini-Biography Webquests set includes: Ben Franklin, George Washington, Helen Keller, Harriet Tubman, and Alexander Graham Bell.

Note: Liberty's Kids is not supported by PBS Kids any longer.  The QR codes in my products still work, but don't look like they have the Liberty's Kids full site.  I did find the site, and it was a different web address.  Here is the site where I located the original information I used for several of my quests. http://dhxretro.jp/arch_who.html

MORE Webquests for LA/Social Studies!

I've really fallen in love with these webquests.  I found some on TPT and made a couple of sets to go with my social studies units.  I love to teach a topic and allow the kids to use the iPads and research further.  I believe these beginning steps into research guide kids into reading information on websites and are a great start for future research.  Kids get to notice important information and read for meaning.   I always let them work in pairs (I found out that three is too many with my iPad minis).  They really love just getting on the floor. I'm waiting for someone to step on one of my iPads, but I just risk it because they love to get out of their seats!

For this webquest, I ask, "when is a turtle not a reptile?"  Answer: "When it's a submarine!"  I let the kids come up with that answer, and your kids will be intrigued about exactly what kind of turtle you are asking about.

Here is one of the benefits of using a webquest.  When students are trying to answer a question about a story they've read, they need to be able to locate information in a text. I find that my students would naturally rather guess the answer than look it up in the text.  Learning to look up an answer and provide text proof takes training.  Webquests are excellent training ground for students to locate information within texts.  The technology aspect is a great  motivator. KIDS LOVE iPADS and technology!
(CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.1:  Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers. 

Texas TEKS:  3.2B:   Ask relevant questions, seek clarification, and locate facts and details about stories and other texts and support answers with evidence from text)

I like these Liberty's Kids articles because they are short and full of information. Ducksters is another good informational site.

I hope you will try webquests with your students.  If not one of mine, there are tons of other topics on TPT.  I lean toward social studies topics since I have so little time for that subject and I can weave it into language arts.  I hope you enjoy these!

Click {HERE} 

There are five different quests in this set.
They are short and work great for 3-5th grades. 

Happy "questing!"

Webquest Awesomeness!

Mini webquests are perfect for third graders.  I used them just before the break to get the kids out of their seats and work on some fun activities...learning included in the fun! When I have my students do webquests, I usually set the background information up in the form of a mini-lesson.  I have had them complete a KWL chart or just write a question or two in their journals to assess prior knowledge. Many times in social studies, they have never heard of the people we are studying (or they are confused about who they are.)  These webquests could set your students on the journey to more research about a person you are studying.  They are also awesome for small groups where the groups could read about the person, then collaborate on answers together.  Anytime I get the iPads out, there is excitement in the room!  We had so much fun with this the last time, I know they will be excited for these new quests!  You can find my new Mini-Biography Webquests {HERE}or {HERE}

My students love to get on the floor with an iPad and work together!

Kids scan the QR code and it takes them right to the website!  If you don't have devices to scan codes, no worries, just have the students type in the provided website.  (It's good practice in being careful!) 

{CLICK HERE}
Or {HERE} to see my new store at Buy Sell Teach

There are five different quests in the set! 
Find it also here at Buy Sell Teach

My kids said, "Hey, this is like a scavenger hunt!"  Yep, they loved it! 

Famous People Scavenger Hunt

This is a post I sent home to my students on our class blog.  The response was tremendous!  Almost every student tried to figure it out.  I sent the link home in an email to moms and dads (and didn't tell the kids about it) so that they would have adult supervision when they went online.  This idea could be about anything, not just famous people.  I'd love to hear your ideas about how you would use this because I'd like to do this more!  

I wrote:

Students and Parents:

Take a look at these famous people.  Only two of them are not American citizens. Can you use the Internet to identify each one, tell me what they were famous for, and identify the two people who are not American citizens?  Please use "comments" and number them as you identify them (your parents will have to "follow" the blog with an email address first).  The first boy and the first girl to correctly identify all six people, give me an accurate fact about why they were famous, and find the two non-Americans will receive a "free homework pass." 

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

Enjoy!

(photo credits: www.sciencekids.co.nz

The Wright  Brothers

http://www.mcohio.org/services/ed/innovators_past_and_present.html)

I Love Target

I think I go to Target probably three or four times a week.  I am always looking for classroom stuff.  (I do buy all of my groceries there as well as housewares.) It's pretty much my home away from home.  There are people I never seem to see except for when I'm in Target! Oh, and I just got the Cartwheel app for my phone (the Target Cartwheel, because there are others).  It is pretty cool, and you don't have to carry coupons around with you.  You just let them scan it and will take off any available coupons automatically!  I'm such a fan!  I'm actually a little offended that the sales people don't greet me by name when I walk in.

One of my all-time favorite purchases from Target was a few years ago. Next to my favorite book boxes for Daily 5 that I bought this spring, this one thing was my other favorite!!!!  It's a shower curtain we use in the classroom!  That's right, a shower curtain.  It's a map of the world.  I had the custodian take down my pull-down maps several years ago.  This one is all I need.  I love it for so many reasons:  #1 It cost $9.99 at the time. (Now it's $14.99, sorry)  #2 It is clear and my wall is blue, so it looks like water behind it!  #3 I put it down low just inches above the floor, so I can stand in front of it to teach and bring the kids down to the floor, and it's just right there.  #4 It's very colorful and detailed.  It even has the Sandwich Islands labeled (the kids laugh at that all year - what do they eat there and what grows on the trees? Well duh, sandwiches of course!)  #5 They look at the map every time we line up, and they have to be learning from it even when I'm not teaching. #6 Because it is shiny, clear plastic, I can write on it with Vis a Vis markers and it cleans right up.  I don't use dry erase because I'm afraid wiping it will stretch the plastic. I guess you could use a wet wipe and dry erase would come off easily.  #7 It looks super cute with the border (I layered two CTP borders going around it.)  I'll try to remember to post pictures of it actually up on the wall.  #8 It has lasted about 7 years now and shows very little wear.  I wish I could think of ten reasons I love it - because that just seems appropriate, but that's all the reasons I can come up with.  Definitely enough to make me recommend it to y'all! Honestly, I haven't seen in the store in quite some time.  They do still sell it online, click here.