Need a Holiday?

A Web Quest for students

Designed by

Regina Johnson, Pat Schnyders, and Donna Van Ryn

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page

Introduction

You are a senator from Illinois.  There is a concern that there are too many days off of school due to holidays.  Many of our holidays honor famous people. You are a member of a committee that will investigate and determine if our holidays should remain the same or if there needs to be some changes. 
 

Part 1

• Investigate current famous people that we honor with holidays  (see the list below)
• Determine if these people have met the criteria of making a significant difference in the history of our country

• Select and investigate a person that is not presently being honored with a holiday from the given list
• Determine if these people have met the criteria of making a significant difference in the history of our country
• Make a poster or Power Point of your famous person and choose a date to celebrate this person
• Compose an expository or persuasive essay

• Divide into groups of five
• Assign one famous person holiday from the list to each student

 Christopher Columbus
 George Washington
 Abraham Lincoln
 Martin Luther King Jr.
        Casimir Pulaski
 
• Take notes as you use links and other materials from the media center to research your famous person

Sources may include: Encarta, library books, internet
 
• For each person answer the following questions:

• Make a poster or Power Point of your famous person that supports the reason for their holiday

• Your project must include:
• a picture of your person
• a list or pictures of their contributions to our country
• date we celebrate their holiday
• other interesting information

You will receive an individual grade for your part in the Web Quest.
 

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score
Student is able to find correct information.	Student answers one required question.	Student answers two required questions.	Student answers three required questions.	Student answers four required questions.
Student displays information.	Student displays minimal information correctly.	Student displays some information correctly.	Student displays required  information correctly.	Student displays required and additional information correctly.
Student project is completed neatly.	Student project is unclear.	Student project is readable.	Student project is readable and carefully completed.	Student project is readable, carefully completed, and attractive.
Student project displays correct mechanics.	Student project displays five or more errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar.	Student project displays less than five  errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar.	Student project displays less than four errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar.	Student project displays less than three errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar.
Student shows organization in completing the project.	Project is poorly organized.	Project shows minimal organization.	Project is mostly organized.	Project is well organized.

Students will investigate why famous people have been chosen to be honored with a holiday.  Students will research and nominate another famous person to be honored.