A WebQuest for Grades 4, 5 and 6

Designed by

D. Naujokaitis and The Pugglers

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion

Introduction

Almost everyone has a hero or heroine they can look up to or admire. Sometimes these heroes are well-known internationally for the things they accomplished, while others have done wonders and only a few people know about them. We need heroes to inspire us by their example to make this world a better place for all.

Canada is a vast country, proud of its diversity, its multiculturalism and the accomplishments of her people. Who are the Canadian heroes and heroines that children can admire and use as role models? What qualities and traits do they possess? Who is your Canadian hero? 

Your job as a member of an investigative team is to research Canadian heroes and heroines from all walks of life and areas of expertise. Your task has many levels to explore.

• Before chosing a hero to research you must first define a hero or a heroine through consensus with your group.
• Conduct research using both online and offline inquiry techniques to find Canadians who meet your criteria of heroism.
• Using HTML or a webpage editor (Claris Homepage, Frontpage or Flash) you will design a webpage to showcase your chosen hero or heroine, not only through their accomplishments but also through understanding of the motivation behind your hero's accomplishments.
• Your webpage will be part of an electronic gallery celebrating Canadian heroes and heroines.

To accomplish this task, these are the steps you will follow.

1. First you'll be assigned to a team of 3 students.
2. Each team member will have an opportunity to play different roles throughout the webquest- recorder, designer, webmaster, investigator- according to the role that the activities demands.
3. Before actual research can begin, your team must define the notion of hero by answering the following questions:
   • What characteristics or traits should a hero have?
   • What makes a person heroic?
   • What is the difference between a super hero and an everday hero?
   • Who can be a hero?
4. Using the links provided below you are to evaluate the appropriateness of chosing a particular Canadian to research. Choose someone you don't know and conduct a thorough analysis.
5. Create a webpage for your hero or heroine. Make sure you cite your sources and obtain permission for use of graphics and information.

Online resources

• Memorable Canadians from the National Library of Canada
• Celebrating Women's Achievements: in politics, science , sport, activism, society, music, literature, from the National Library of Canada
• Science.ca the best source for Canadian science
• Herstory 20 years of work on a unique feminist project in Saskatchewan
• Canadian Scientists part of Digital Collections Canada
• Snap Shots of Should-Be Famous Canadians
• Our Unsung Heroes
• Well-known People Who Happen to be Canadian
• Canadian Portraits
• Canadian Heirloom Series from Digital Collections Canada
• MovieThing : Canadians Among Us
• The Canadian Celebity Site
• Canadian Heroes in Fact and Fiction
• Canadian Air Aces and Heroes
• The Memory Project: Heroes and Heroism

Your final product, your webpages, will be evaluated using a rubric that will look at the following areas: content, design, graphics, layout, bibliography, technical.

By the end of this activity you will have researched and analyzed what characteristics or traits heroes and heroines possess. You will have created an online resources that other students can use to learn more about the people that have made Canada great. How do you stand up to the criteria of heroism? Do you have the potential to be come a role model for others?