Process

Follow the steps outlined below to complete your Westward Expansion 
project.

1. Start by getting an idea of all the things available to you on this Web 
Quest by clicking all the links on the Home Page.  Read the instructions 
on each page.

2. Familiarize yourself with the TASK and start thinking about what kind 
of project you would like to produce: a newspaper, a timeline/slide 
show, or a daily journal.

3. Look at the three Role pages and decide on a role: explorer with 
Lewis and Clark; pioneer; prospector in the California Gold Rush.

4. After picking your role, begin researching your role, paying particular 
attention to the questions listed on the Role page.  Come up with some 
of your own questions.  Use the web site links that have been listed for 
you, and go find books in the library that have also been listed.

5. Use the United Streaming web site to view videos about Westward 
Expansion.

6. Take notes.  Take lots and lots of notes.  Pay particular attention to 
things that sound unusual or amazing as these will be good material for 
your project.  Make sure your notes answer all the questions.

7. Make sure you keep track of all the places (web sites, books, videos, 
etc.,) where you collect information.  You will be required to cite these 
sources as part of your project.

8. Start your project.  If you choose the Newspaper, you will need to write 
4 to 6 articles and accompany each article with a picture.  Use all your 
creativity to make it look authentic to the 1800's.  You will want to 
research what newspapers looked like back then.  You can even include 
advertising appropriate to the time.  You can do the project by 
hand, however, if you use the computer, you will be able to make it look 
much more professional.

If you choose the Timeline/Slide show, you will have to organize your 
research and tell your story in timeline form.  Make sure each slide has 
a picture, and use the Web Link feature to link to your research sites.  
Make sure each slide has a detailed note attached.  You will need to 
create at least 10 slides.

If you choose the Daily Journal, you can use your imagination, along 
with the facts you have gathered, to write about what it really feels like 
to 
make the journey West.  Here, you will be able to give details of daily 
struggles and triumphs.  You will need to write at least 10 journal 
entries.  You can hand illustrate your journal entries.

9. Citing your sources!  This is extremely important.  Check out this web 
site that explains how to cite a web resource:

http://www.tekmom.com/ cite/index.html Here is a link to a very useful web site that can help you properly cite your sources. It is called NoodleTools.
http://www.noodletools.co m/login.php 10. Be prepared to share your finished project with the class.