On this Mystery Island WebQuest, you will be working in groups of four to complete your assigned task.  Each member of your research team will explore a variety of web pages that have been chosen to guide you in solving the mystery behind the message in a bottle.  Because these are real web sites available on the Internet, some of the words may be difficult.  We encourage you to use our link to Word Central's Student Dictionary or to use a classroom dictionary when reading through these web pages.  We have also provided links throughout this WebQuest to animal, plant, physical geography, and weather glossaries.
 

I.  Charting Your Course

• Each member of your research team will refresh themselves on background information of early exploration, ancient ships, and the history of navigation.  Your teacher will assign each of you a specific role, and you will follow the links associated with your expertise.   Each role has an equal amount of work and responsibility.  Remember that whatever expertise you get, your job is important to the group.  Do the best work that you can!

• As a group, we recommend you set goals for completing each part of the quest.  Depending on how long you have to work on it each week, your group must decide how much each person should finish during that week.  Write down your goals, and use them to check how well the group is coming along.  Here are some tips for good group work.

• Below is a link to a PowerPoint Presentation that will refresh your memory on early exploration, ancient ships, and the history of navigation.  It is just enough information to set the stage for your island research.
The History of Ships and Navigation (PowerPoint Presentation)

• If you have not read the message yet, make sure you do before you start your research!

• Experts on the research team will investigate their particular role by visiting a variety of web sites and collecting information from them.

• Focus on the guidance questions provided for your role when hunting for information.

• Record the distinguishing facts you learn about each of the islands you visit on your journey in your chart. Your teacher will be grading your chart for its accuracy, neatness, and completeness.  Be sure to write down all the facts you learn as neatly as possible.  This will help you and your team of researchers narrow down the distinguishing features of the islands and discover on which island the mysterious shipwreck occurred.

All hands on deck! It's time to reel in your research teammates and start sharing what you've learned on your expert journeys!

• It's now time to come together and share your journal charts about each island!  Discuss the islands, one at time, based on your expert role.  Be sure to compare the information you gather to the clues left in the mysterious message in a bottle!  Make sure everyone has a chance to share his or her knowledge and be respectful of your expert teammates while they're speaking.  Remember those tips for group work that you looked at earlier!

• Based on the information gathered by each of the experts on their island adventures, the whole group must agree on which island the shipwreck occurred so that you can request a grant from the government to further investigate the mysterious ancient explorer and his sunken ship!