North Carolina Webquest

North Carolina: The Tarheel State

Task Background Process Resources Conclusion

The Task

Congratulations!! You have been selected to be the official state tour guide for North Carolina! Of course, you will need to become familiar with the state. Your task is to (1) identify the state symbols, key places, and noteworthy people (2) research the topic in the Library Media Center, (3) identify quality Internet sites that are informative and applicable to your topic, and (4) create a PowerPoint presentation to inform your clients.

Top Task Background Process Resources Conclusion

The Background

As you learn about North Carolina, you will find that being a "Tar Heel" means many different things. It could mean that you live in the mountains or near the ocean. You may live in a small town or a large city. Each area of the state has its own history and celebrations that make it special. Our state is also made up of very special people - like YOU! It is important for us to understand how the people use and change the land and other resources our state has to offer.

"Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina in the morning."

These words are from a song written by Gus Kahn and set to the music of Walter Donaldson. They describe how the people of North Carolina feel about our state. What is it about our state that makes North Carolinians happy to be living here? Maybe it is the many interesting places that you can find in North Carolina.

Our purpose is twofold - to identify people and events of importance in North Carolina and to find Internet sites that provide us with information in order to expand our knowledge base. We will begin to formulate our own opinions about advantages and disadvantages of living in "The Tarheel State".

Top Task Background Process Resources Conclusion

The Process

1. Arrange for you and your partners to watch North Carolina: A Special Kind of Splendor.(Educational Video, 30 minutes). This video explores the distinctive variety and beauty of North Carolina. It should provide background information on the 3 regions of North Carolina and special features of each region.

2. Go to the Library Media Center and, using some of the resources below or other subject specific reference books, identify the state symbols, key places, and important people of North Carolina. You may also want to visit North Carolina: Facts, Maps, and State Symbols.

3. Another very useful site is contains this information in Encarta's North Carolina section.

4. Using a word processor, write an informational article which contains your findings regarding the state symbols, key places, and important people.

5. Using the Internet and the major search tools discoveryschool.com search the Internet by keyword for the topics that you have chosen. Remember to use search strategies to limit the number of hits. Evaluate the pages for usefulness and applicability.

6. Develop a way to present the information to your "clients". Keep a list of sites that are useful by writing the URL and topic on notecards as you research on the Internet.

7. Use Powerpoint to present your project.

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The Resources

Some of the print resources you may find in your school or local library include:

  • Stein, R. Conrad. The Story of the Flight at Kitty Hawk Chicago: Childrens Press, 1981. Interesting story of the first flight and previous attempts that led to it.
  • Gleiter, Jan, and Kathleen Thompson. Daniel Boone. Milwaukee: Raintree Publishers, 1988. The true life story of Daniel Boone.
  • Gleiter, Jan, and Kathleen Thompson. Sequoya. Milwaukee: Raintree Publishers, 1988. The story of the man who invented the Cherokee alphabet.
  • Kent, Zachary. Andrew Johnson. Chicago: Childrens Press, 1989. This biography covers Johnson's early life as well as his presidency and later life.
  • Lillegard, Dee. James K. Polk. Chicago: Childrens Press, 1988. This book covers Polk's early life as well as his presidency.
  • Olinski, Alice. Andrew Jackson. Chiacgo: Childrens Press, 1987. This book brings out Jackson's character and actions, both as a citizen and a president.
  • Deegan, Paul J. Michael Jordan: Basketball's Soaring Star. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications, 1988. Learn more about the basketball star and the real Michael Jordan.
  • Houston, Gloria. The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree. New York: Dial Publishing, 1988. Set in the Appalachia, this is the story of a mother and daughter cutting the church Christmas tree alone because the father is at war.
  • Rylant, Cynthia. When I Was Young in the Mountains. New York: E.P. Dutton, 1982. An older woman recalls her childhood in the southeastern region of the United States.

Some general websites that may be useful:

Conclusion

I hope that by doing this you have learned more about "The Tarheel State". How easy was it to find information on the Internet? Were some of the sites targeted toward a specific group? If so, why? How do you think others will respond to the information you present?

Top Task Background Process Resources Conclusion

Created by Rhonda Burgess, Jeanie Hawkins, Regina Lynch, Ginger Stinson

August 2003

NOTE: This webquest was modeled after Kathy Schrock's 1960 Webquest found at Discovery.com.*