Aimee Kelly

SLM 521

Spring 2004

 

The Journey to the Unknown

A Webquest

 

Introduction

A great journey lies ahead of you. You and a traveling partner are going on a quest to the mysterious Sahara Desert in the heart of Africa. The Sahara will be unlike anything you have experienced before. You must be prepared for the harsh conditions.

Task

To prepare you both for your monumental task, you must learn about deserts, their climate, and how to cope with harsh conditions. You will work with your partner to complete this task. By the end of this process, you will have produced a poster with a plan for your trip in the desert.

Process

You and your partner will follow the links to learn about the desert and complete the worksheet to organize the information you collect. After you have collected your information, the two of you will create a plan to prepare for your journey. Your plan should include what kind of transportation you will have in the desert, what supplies you will take, how you will dress, and when you will travel in the desert. Your plan should be organized on the back of your worksheet and then put into poster form with illustrations.

Resources

You must begin by learning basic information about the desert. Use the link below to begin your search. Be sure to check out the "What is a Desert Like?" section and the "Types of Deserts - Hot Deserts" section.

 

What's it Like Where You Live? - Deserts

http://mbgnet.mobot.org/sets/desert/

 

Now that you've learned the basics, you must learn about the condition of the desert you will be traveling to, the largest desert in the world, the Sahara Desert. Be sure to check out the "Climate" and "People" sections of this site. You must click on the blue "Visit Site" button to enter this site.

 

The Living Africa - Sahara Desert

http://library.thinkquest.org/16645/the_land/sahara_desert.shtml

 

As the inhabitants of the desert are experts on survival in the desert, we should learn from them. For more information on how the native nomads of the desert protect themselves for live in the desert, check out the link below. Be sure to look at the information on clothing, but feel free to use the index on the side of the site to look at other information about this tribe.

 

The Tuareg - Clothing

http://www.calacademy.org/exhibits/africa/exhibit/sahara/tuareg/6.htm

 

Once more we must turn to the inhabitants of the desert so that we will be prepared. Learn what the Tuareg people use as transportation and why.

 

The Tuareg - Transportation

http://www.calacademy. org/exhibits/africa/exhibit/sahara/tuareg/3.htm

 

Evaluation

 

1

2

3

4

Worksheet

Partially complete.

Complete but shows very little effort.

Complete with effort displayed in work.

Complete with effort shown and additional information that is not required.

Plan

Partially complete.

Complete but shows very little effort or organization.

Complete with effort or organization displayed in work.

Complete with effort and organization shown in work. The ideas portrayed in the poster are visible in plan.

Group Participation

Little participation.

Participated but allowed partner to do more than their share.

Contributed necessary effort for group and supported the learning of their partner.

Contributed necessary effort, supported learning of partner, and went beyond necessary effort (ex: did additional research).

Poster

Unclear plan.

Clear plan with illustrations. Little effort.

Clear plan with illustrations. Effort displayed.

Clear plan with illustrations. Effort displayed. Additional information displayed.

Presentation

Completes one of the three aspects for a 3.

Completes two of the three aspects for a 3.

Loud, clear voice. Used the poster as a visual aid. Relayed all information

Loud clear voice. Looked at audience. Used the poster as a visual aid. Relayed all information.

Conclusion

As you've prepared for your journey to the Sahara Desert, you've learned what to expect. You should have completed the worksheet, made a plan, and created a poster. You will present with your partner in class soon, so be prepared. We've learned that the desert is truly a harsh environment. Those who can cross it are to be commended. You're prepared. You are to be commended.