A WebQuest for Landmark High School

9th and 10th Global Studies

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion |

INTRODUCTION

     The world's first great civilizations developed in or around river valleys.  The four great river valley civilizations were the Nile River Valley, the Tigris-Euphrates River Valley, the Huang-He River Valley, and the Indus River Valley.  Why did the four great early civilizations develop in or around river valleys?  This WebQuest will answer this question and many more!  But first, we must know the following before we begin:
 

  • What is a river valley?
  • What makes up a river and where does a river end up?
  • Where does the water come from?

    •  

    The Task

During this WebQuest, you will:

  • Identify and describe the locations of the four early river valley civilizations. 
  • Describe what daily life may have been like for individuals of different groups or classes in one of the early river valley civilizations we are studying.
  • Create a table/chart that compares AND contrasts the four early river valley civilizations.

The Process
     1. You will be assigned to work in a cultural archaeologist team of 3 or 4 students. 

     2. Each team will need to gather the following work materials 
         together before beginning the WebQuest:

  • River Valley Civilizations Compare/Contrast Chart (one for each group member)
  • A blank map of the historical period for the four early river valley civilizations (one for each group member)
  • Writing utensils, colored pencils, and extra blank paper

    3.  Each team member will choose one of the four early river valley civilizations to focus their study on.  Each dig member's goal is to become an expert on the civilization that you choose. Each group member will be working with other like-minded people from other groups.

    4.  You will only use the Internet to conduct your research.  A number of web sites have been provided for your use. 

    5.  On the map for the historical period of the four early civilizations, locate and label each of the four early river valley civilizations.
     

Day #1

Conduct your reserach on the websites for the four early civilizations and take careful notes (you will be filling out a grpahic organizer to guide your research).

You will share this data with your team members to complete the River Valley Civilizations Compare/Contrast Chart.  Remember, your time is limited for this computer lab activity, so use it productively.

Day #2

Complete "Compare/Contrast" chart with your group members.

Using all of the data gathered from your individual and collaborations with your team members, you must compile a 1 page diary entry based on the life of an individual of your choice.  You must be very descriptive and should base your information on the data that you have come across.  Your goal is to use what you say in writing your entry to 'bring this person to life.'

INTERNET LINKS


HUANG-HE RIVER VALLEY CIVILIZATION

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/geography/huangheriver.htm

http://library.thinkquest.org/20443/huanghe.html 

Click here for a video clip

INDUS RIVER VALLEY CIVILIZATION

(Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa)

http://www.mrdowling.com/612-mohenjodaro.html

Click here for a video clip


 
 

NILE RIVER VALLEY CIVILIZATION
(Egypt)

http://www.carnegiemuseums.org/cmnh/exhibits/egypt/index.htm


 Click here for a video clip

TIGRIS-EUPHRATES RIVER VALLEY CIVILIZATION

(Mesopotamia)

http://www.mesopotamia.co.uk/menu.html

Click on links on the left side of the screen only

Click here for a video clip


Evaluation

Your work will be graded using the rubric listed below.  Please use this as a guideline in preparing your work as you work on different parts of the WebQuest.
 
WebQuest
Component


Unsatisfactory
Minimal
 
 Satisfactory
Good
 Distinguished
Historical Period
Map
1 or no civilizations labeled correctly.
2 out of 4 labeled correctly.
3 out of 4 civilizations labeled correctly.
All 4 civilizations labeled correctly.
All 4 civilizations labeled correctly.
Extra effort in appearance.
River Valley
Civilization
Comparison and Contrast Chart
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Does not make any comparisons or contrasts. 

Sloppy.

No visuals.
Poor comparisons & contrasts.

Sloppy. 

Poor visuals.
Average comparisons & contrasts.

Fair in neatness.

Fair visuals.
Good comparisons & contrasts.

Neat.

Good visuals.

 Excellent comparison & contrasts.

Neat.

Excellent visuals.
Diary Entry
 
 
 
 

 
Little or none of the 5 W's & H used. 
Few of the 5 W's & H.
Includes some of the 5 W's & H.
Includes all 5 W's & H.

Good details.

Includes all 5 W's & H.

Excellent details.

Very descriptive.
Groupwork

 
Work is either mostly independent or mostly interdependent.

Non cooperative.

Poor use of time.
Poor balance of independent & interdependent work. 

Poor cooperation/use of time.
Fair balance of independent & interdependent  work.

Fair cooperation/use  of time. 
Good balance of independent & interdependent work.

Cooperative.

Good use of time.

 Excellent balance of independent & interdependent work.

Cooperative; focused.

Good use of time.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Conclusion

In this WebQuest, it was our goal for you to use the Internet as major resource to conduct research about the world's four early river valley civilizations, to work in cooperative groupings to develop a valuable lifeskill, and to use several social studies skills to evaluate information.

It was also our goal for your to use this experience learning about river valley civilizations as a basis for you to construct meaning and make connections with other people, groups, & regions that you will encounter as we progress in the course.

Last updated on September 2005