Midwest Webquest Adapted by Mrs. Haberlin from webquests created by Julie Aldridge, Mrs. Butcher, & Ms. Lucas

Welcome to the Midwest Region! We are about to embark on an exciting adventure through the Midwest States - North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. You will use the internet and your textbooks to research the land, resources, people, and history of this great region. Be ready to research and work individually and in a group or partnership.

TASKS Your tasks for this webquest include: Physical Map (individual activity) Vocabulary Crossword Puzzle Creation (individual or partner activity) Dust Bowl Poster (partner activity) Persuasive Activity: Radio Ad, Short Video Commercial, or State Brochure (partner or group activity) Physical Map - printout for each student Crossword Puzzle - have students create pdf and print also print out key Dust Bowl Poster - White Paper Persuasive - Research notes page to be completed.

PHYSICAL MAP Individual Activity Your task is to create a physical map of the Midwest Region. Remember - physical maps do NOT contain state names. You will receive a blank printout of the Midwest Region. You need to create a key for your map and include the following features: Each of the Great Lakes shown, Mississippi River, Ohio River, Missouri River, Mount Rushmore, Black Hills, Great Plains, Central Plains Yes, this is very similar to the map you created in your Social Studies Journal.

Crossword Puzzle - Individual or Partner Activity With your partner, create a 20 word crossword puzzle using the website link below. Your words should be words related to the Midwest Region and the 5 Themes of Geography. The clues should be definitions or descriptions of the words you choose. I recommend you use your textbook as a resource to find appropriate words and their definitions. Do not use more than 3 state names. Ideas: landforms, specific locations, events, famous people. We will preview the website in the computer lab before you complete this portion. Crossword Website: http://www.armoredpenguin.com/crossword/

DUST BOWL POSTER Partner Activity You and your partner will research the DUST BOWL and take notes in your Social Studies Journal. Then create a poster with an informational paragraph attached. POSTER: Create a scene from the Dust Bowl. It must be hand drawn and colored. Use the whole paper and include as much detail as you can. It may be from a picture you viewed on a website during your research. Note the picture and website on the back of your poster if you use one from a website. PARAGRAPH: Within your paragraph include: what the Dust Bowl was, when it started, and how it affected people living in the area. Remember, the paragraph must be in your own words.

DUST BOWL POSTER RESOURCES http://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/dust-bowl/12040 http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/depression/dustbowl.htm http://www.slideshare.net/kool_aid_kyle/the-dust-bowl-1522711 (short student created slideshow) http://www.history.com/topics/dust-bowl/pictures/the-dust-bowl/sand-dune (pictures) You may also use your textbook, other websites, or books from the library.

PERSUASIVE AD Partner or Group Activity CONGRATULATIONS! You have completed the background tasks are are ready to be a TRAVEL CONSULTANT for your state. This is no small task. You will need to be experts on your state and share what attractions people would want to visit when they come to your state. You need to SELL it! See your teacher to be assigned a state in the Midwest Region. With your group, you will create one of the following types of ADS to convince tourists to come to your state. Radio Ad TV Ad Written Brochure - created either online or by hand

PERSUASIVE AD steps You need to become an expert on your state. Use the following websites to gather information individually about things to do in your state. You may also use books or other resources. http://www.census.gov/schools/facts/ http://www.city-data.com/ http://sf.factmonster.com/states.html http://www.50states.com/ http://www.ipl.org/div/stateknow/index.html http://sf.factmonster.com/states.html https://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm http://www.thingstodo.com/

PERSUASIVE AD steps 2) Once you and your partners or group have completed your research, get together and decide what type of ad you will create. Radio Ad: Record a lively ad that describes the many things a visitor to your state may do. TV Ad: Film a short commercial that will convince people to visit your state. Brochure: Create a colorful brochure that highlights the interesting and exciting things about and to do in your state. Once you have decided what type of ad you will be creating, check in with your teacher to have your research checked and get any supplies you may need.

PERSUASIVE AD steps 3) Each group will present its ad and each member of our class will decide which Midwestern state we would each most like to visit. Will your ad or brochure help your state to get the most votes? CONGRATULATIONS! You have completed the webquest and are an official expert on the Midwest Region!