Introduction

This lesson was developed as part of a Station05 sponsored workshop for teachers from the four local school boards: CSR Sherbrooke, CS des Sommets, CS des Hauts Cantons and the Eastern Townships SB.  The workshop focused on introducing, exploiting and creating WebQuests in ESL at the primary level and first cycle language arts with a resource-teacher from each school board.
 
 

    Children are fascinated by the paranormal or the unexplained. This unit is a great opportunity to focus on one specific aspect - the existence or not of Lake Monsters such as Memphré, Nessie and Champ. I have compiled many resources from the Internet to help you guide your students in gathering and acquiring knowledge in a pedagogical process in the spirit of Québec's educational reform.
 
 

Content Area and Grade Level

     Although this Webquest was prepared for intensive ESL students in Québec,  EFL (grades 2-5) teachers are welcome to adapt it. Target disciplines include: science, language arts and technology.
 
 

Curriculum Standards
 
 

This unit's main objective is for the students to utilize technology including the Internet to research famous lake monsters and transform this information to create an advertisement.

• Students will learn to collect information from several web sites and books.
• Students will learn to discriminate good data from bad.
• Students learn about lake monsters. They will compare and contrast data gathered.
• Students will learn to work in cooperation.

Resources Needed

• Internet connection.
• Optional: Scanner, Digital camera.
• Word processing program such as Microsoft Word, Publisher, Kidpix or Hyper Studio.
• Downloadable Lake Monster information Sheet and Venn diagram worksheet.
• Suggested internet links, see student page.

Entry Level Skills and Knowledge
 
 

Students will need

    - basic technology skills, such as basic internet  searching and word processing skills.

    - basic skimming and scanning skills in reading descriptive and informative texts.

    - basic writing and speaking skills associated with presenting information in a factual and  persuasive style.

    - vocabulary related to physical descriptions and environment.

Evaluation
 
 

Students will be evaluated on the following:

• Quality of information gathered from research (using a minimum of five facts).
• Originality, creativity and thoroughness in the presentation.
• The use of appropriate strategies during the project including planning, completing and presenting. Evaluation Rubric

      Hopefully your students will find this unit to be a fun way to learn about the intriguing topic of lake monsters and will gain valuable skills and knowledge.