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A Webquest Experience

by Mrs. Reeks
Memorial School, Tinley Park

Introduction | Task | Resources | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion

Introduction
We are so lucky to live near an exciting city like Chicago!  Have you ever been in our beautiful city?  Which museums and sights have you always wanted to see?  Here's your chance to plan a day trip to Chicago from start to finish.  Have an awesome trip!.

When you are finished with your webquest, you will have an intinerary (or plan),  for a cool Chicago trip for your family.  You will have determined a schedule for the day beginning with the train ride into the city and ending with the train ride home.   You will have chosen 2 places to visit, and will have described what you will do or see at each place.  Finally, you will have developed a budget showing exactly how much your day in the city will cost.  You will then use all this information to write an essay persuading your parents to take you on your trip.  Good luck!

Process

First:
You will complete an interest survey to find out what types of sights you'd be most interested in.  Based on the surveys, you will be grouped with 2-3 other students who share your same interests.

Second:
  Your group will do some "Internet Sightseeing" in order to help you choose which  2 Chicago attractions you would most like to visit on your trip.  Go to "Resources" to find web links to help you with this task.

Third:
Once you have decided on your destinations, you will plan a schedule for your day. What train will you catch from the Metra station in Tinley Park in the morning?  Once you arrive downtown, where will you visit first? What will you see there?  When (and where) will you eat lunch?  Which train will you have to catch in order to be home by 7:00?  Neatly write your schedule out, and the teacher will make a copy for each group member.  Use the web links in "Resources" to help you find out all you need to know.
 

Fourth:
Find out how much your day in the city will cost.  Be sure to include the cost of transportation, admission to attractions, lunch, and other costs involved in your day of sightseeing.  List all expenses on a sheet of paper, and add them up to find the total cost.  The teacher will make a copy of your neatly, completed budget for each member of your group.  You will find many useful web links in "Resources."

Fifth:
Using the information you have learned, write a persuasive essay convincing your parents to take you on your Chicago trip.
 

You might like to split your group up and have 2 people work on scheduling and two on budgeting...it's up to you!
 
 
 

Resources

Need a train schedule?  You can also find out ticket prices at this site:
 www.metrarail.com/Sched/ri/ri.html

Do you like art?  Try the Art Institute at  www.artic.edu/
If you like modern art, you might prefer www.terramuseum.org/

Maybe you prefer the stars?  Check out www.adlerplanetarium.org/

Is Science your thing?  Go to www.chias.org/

There are many neat things to see at the Chicago Children's Museum.  See for yourself at www.chichildrensmuseum.org/

History might be more your style....here's the place for you:  www.fmnh.org/

How do you feel about looking down? www.hancock-observatory.com
If that's not high enough, try www.sears-tower.com

Boat rides are more for you!  Try www.cfl81.com/historytour.html

Still can't find what you like?  Look at the Chicago Magazines in the classroom.
 
 

Evaluation
The schedule and budget for your trip will be collected and graded as follows:

Schedule: It should be neat, easy to follow, listed in correct sequence, and the amount of time alotted for each activity should be reasonable.  You should not only include the places you are visiting at each time, but also should include which exhibits or attractions you plan to see at each place.  For example, you may list The Museum of Science and Industry as a place, but then you should also list that you want to visit The Coal Mine and the Human Body exhibits while you are there. Remember, you must return to Tinley Park by 7:00 pm!

Budget:  It should be neat, easy to follow, accurate, and should all add up. Be sure to include transportation costs, admission costs, special exhibit charges, and family discounts.  Don't worry about including tax.  Use the following guide to estimate lunch costs:
            Fast Food :   $5.00 per person
            Family Restaurant or Cafe:  $7.00 per person
            Nice Restaurant:  $10.00 per person

You will receive a group grade for these items.

Your persuasive essay will be graded based on the rubric you receive in class.
 

Have a wonderful trip to Chicago!  For extra credit, you may come back to school and tell us about your trip.  Bring pictures, brochures, souvenirs...anything you collected along the way.