First Comers Indigenous Webquests were designed to be used by teachers of  Spanish, Social Studies, History, World Geography, or World Cultures. However, they can be easily adapted to other classes as well.

   This guide will hopefully provide teachers with the tools and ideas needed to lead their students on a successful and enjoyable quest.  Have a great expedition!

Teachers!   Tell us about your experiences using our WebQuests!  Your input will help us correct errors in our WebQuest model.  click here   

• Explanation of the Six Steps

• View webquest teaching strategies

• See Sample Lesson Plans

• Download student and teacher forms

• NETS and Learning Standards Alignment

• View First Comers Sources

• View Student Final Product Requirements

The 6 Quest Steps 

Original Webquest Model

   The original webquest model, created in 1995 by Bernie Dodge and Tom March, include the following steps:

• Introduction

• Task

• Process

• Evaluation

• Conclusion

• Credits

• Teacher Page

   For an explanation of these steps see Building Blocks of a Webquest.

   For more information of the webquest process visit Webquest.org.

First Comers Webquest Steps

   First Comers has adapted elements of these steps into our own model to make them fit into the imaginary adventure of an amateur archaeologist.  Click on the following links for an explanation of how the First Comers webquest steps match the original model. coming soon

• Your Mission

• The Expedition

• Examine the Evidence

• Your Conclusions

• Your Report

• The Expedition Leader
  

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• The First Comers webquests are designed to achieve higher-level transformative thinking skills, rather than simpler "scavanger hunts".  However, the sources listed in each quest can be used for this simpler for if that is what the teacher desires to accomplish.

• Each of the  webquests can be used as project-based learning activities accompanying a unit of study, or as stand-alone projects. The quests are also flexible enough to be used as individual student projects, group projects, or class projects.

• First Comers  WebQuests make it easy to provide a differentiated class environment where students can work according to their individual abilities.  Adjusting the roles and tasks to fit the student's abilities, or pairing students of multiple abilities can make the WebQuests meaningful for everyone.

• The amount of time needed to complete the project will vary according to the teaching strategy selected.  For example, if the quests are used as a class project or group project, any of the quest may be easily completed in one week.  If students are working alone, the quests are best assigned as an ongoing project assignment over a period of a month or a grading period.

• Regardless of the teaching strategy selected by the teacher, it is important that all steps of the webquests be completed.  Otherwise the finished product may fail to achieve the higher-level tranformative thinking the quests are designed to achieve.

• The 6 Steps of the First Comers webquests provide an easy path for the students to follow in the completion of their quest, and the Student Checklist is an effective tool for them to stay on that path.  The following downloadable .pdf files are easy and effective tools for the teacher to use during the quests. 

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   Every effort has been made to align The First Comers Webquests with the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS), as well as the Illinois State Learning Standards. (First Comers originated in the Illinois.)

   Note to teachers:  Any modifications made to the webquests may require the individual teacher to realign them with other standards according to that teacher's state standards.  Please notify FirstComers.com of any errors you may find to the proper alignment of standards.

Click  below to view the alignment of the First Comers Webquests
coming soon

For more information on the standards refer to the following websites:

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   The following is a list of those individuals or organizations from which ideas came for the First Comers Indigenous Webquests.

   The Webquest Model

• Webquest.org
• Building Blocks of a Webquest
• PBS Teacherline
  

   
    Photos and images

• some photos were purchased from iStockphoto^®
• some photos were taken by B. Griffin
• all images created by B. Griffin, www.illinoiswebsites.com

    
    Rubrics and checklists

• Kimberly Morin, PBS Teacherline
• Rubistar
• Kathy Schrock, Discovery Education
• Rubrics4Teachers

    
    Standards

• NETS International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
• State standards EdStandards.org
• Illinois State Learning Standards

    Text Materials

• see sources listed in each webquest Expedition page

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   Students will prepare a written narrative according to the following criteria:

• Title Page with a title, your name, class period, and date

• 3-page minimum length, excluding Title Page and Sources Page

• Arial font, 1' margins on all sides

• Introduction

• Body

• Conclusion

• Sources Page(s); [Websites: name of source and URL;
     Text Material: Title, Author, Publisher, Date Published]

Students will complete a media presentation according to the following criteria:

• Title Page with a title, your name, class period, and date

• 20-slide minimum length, excluding Title Page and Sources Page

• 5-minute minimum presentation time;  15-minute maximum

• 10 picture minimum 

• "Bells and Whistles" must be appropriate to the material and kept in good taste

• Backgrounds and music must be appropriate and not distracting

• Text should be summaries kept to a minimum; maximum of 25-30 words per slide recommended

• Sources Page(s); [Websites: name of source and URL;
     Text Material: Title, Author, Publisher, Date Published]

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Return Home

Follow the steps!

Step 1
Your Mission

Step 2
The Expedition