Exploring Weather
A Webquest for Middle School Students
by Dr. Alice Christie

Introduction/Purpose

This HyperQuest will help you learn about weather conditions around the country. At the same time you will become familiar with browsing the Internet and using the Internet to do research.

Task

You have just unexpectedly won $2500! With this windfall, you have decided that you'll take a trip next week to somewhere in the United States where you can relax and have fun! Since this will be a short trip, you want to be sure that the weather is just PERFECT for your vacation!

Of course, some people prefer cooler conditions that will allow skiing, while others prefer warm, sunny weather for sunbathing. You decide which is best for you!

You will investigate weather conditions in three different areas and then decide which location is best for your vacation. Have fun browsing and enjoy your vacation to your chosen destination.

Process and Resources

You will use the following links to investigate weather conditions.

  1. Follow a link to a weather site.
  2. Take notes on one location of your choice on:
    • temperature
    • precipitation
    • weather conditions
  3. Go to another weather site and check the weather in the SAME city.
  4. Compare the two sets of data.
  5. Repeat steps 1, 2 and 3 for a second location.
  6. Repeat steps 1, 2 and 3 for a third location.
  7. Decide where you'll take your vacation.

Links to weather sites:

Evaluation

Think about what you learned during this HyperQuest. You will answer each of the following questions:

  • What made a site helpful?
  • What made a site unhelpful?
  • Were all sites equally helpful?
  • Did you find the same information at different sites?
  • How did you deal with any inconsistencies you found?
  • In what ways did your searching skills improve by doing this HyperQuest?

Use this rubric to evaluate yourself on your contribution to this WebQuest:

.
Beginning
Developing
Accomplished
Exemplary
Score

.
1
2
3
4

.

Followed links successfully

Unable to follow links.

Followed links with assistance.

Followed links independently.

Followed links and assisted others.

.

Recorded observations

Took few notes while browsing.

Took some notes while browsing.

Took detailed notes while browsing.

Took detailed notes with many specific examples.

.

Worked cooperatively

Worked independently.

Divided tasks and shared some responsibilities.

Shared responsibility and aided group effort.

Aided group effort. Divided roles. Common vision.

.

Managed time wisely

No understanding of time constraints. Wasted time.

Little understanding of time constraints. Wasted some time.

Understood and worked within time constraints.

Understood time constraints. Worked efficiently.

.

Organized information

Little organization in presentation.

Some organization in presentation.

Presentation well organized with supporting details.

All main points and details presented in clear, concise fashion.

.

Presented to Committee

Oral presentation with no use of multimedia.

Presentation supported by handouts.

Multimedia presentation.

Multimedia presentation with handouts.

.

Conclusion

Write a one paragraph essay or create a short PowerPoint presentation on why you choose the particular place where you will take your vacation.

 

Notes to the Teacher

This WebQuest's objectives are aligned with the following Arizona Standards:

Technology Standard 1: Essentials (grades 4-8)

  • Examine information from electronic media and determine its worth.

Language Arts Standard 1: Reading Essentials (grades 6-8)

  • R-E2. Use reading strategies such as making inferences and predictions, summarizing, paraphrasing.
  • PO 1. Identify the main ideas; critical and supporting details.
  • PO 3. Summarize the text in own words.

Language Arts Standard 2: Writing Essentials (grades 4-8)

  • PO 3. Contain main ideas plus the most significant details.
  • PO 4. Present clearly written and organized information.
  • PO 2. Use own words to develop ideas accurately and clearly with supporting details, facts, examples or descriptions.
  • PO 3. Use personal interpretation, analysis, evaluation or reflection to evidence understanding of subject.
  • PO 1. Implement a research strategy that includes: taking notes that summarize and paraphrase information relevant to the topic incorporating notes into a finished product.

Language Arts Standard 4: Viewing and Presenting Essentials: (Grade 4-8)

  • Plan, develop and produce a visual presentation, using a variety of media such as videos, films, newspapers, magazines and computer images.

Workplace Technology Standard 7: Essentials: (Grades 4-8)

  • Demonstrate technological literacy for productivity in the workplace.
  • Demonstrate basic computer operation skills in a variety of applications to organize information.
  • Use technology to organize information resources.

This WebQuest's objectives are also aligned with the following National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS):

1. Basic operations and concepts

  • Students demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature and operation of technology systems.
  • Students are proficient in the use of technology.

2. Social, ethical, and human issues

  • Students understand cultural, and societal issues related to technology.
  • Students practice responsible use of technology systems, information, and software.
  • Students develop positive attitudes toward technology uses that support lifelong learning, collaboration, personal pursuits, and productivity.

 3. Technology productivity tools

  • Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity.

Students use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology-enhanced models, preparing publications, and producing other creative works.  

If you'd like to know more about historic weather events, check out the information on the following sites:

 

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