Australian WebQuest-Hagedorn Library

W.W.'s Australian Jeep Tours,
or (How I Got Lost in the "Land Down Under")
3rd Grade WebQuest
Created by Lauren Patterson, Stefani Rosenthal, Patricia A. Russac, & Francine Wisnewski
Buckley Country Day School - January 2003

Introduction

G'Day, Mate! Hop in me jeep, and I'll take you on a tour of one of the most interesting and unique places in the world - Australia! Did you know this great country is also considered an island and a continent? Did you know it has a wide range of geography, loads of sheep, some pretty weird animals and great food Aussie kids love called vegemite? Yes, Mate, there are so many fantastic things to learn about Australia, I can't wait to begin. So, let's get started. Keep your eyes on the road and watch out for kangaroos!

Willy Wallaby
Tour Guide for the "land down under"

Itinerary

You and Willy will tour Australia for the next few weeks. You will explore 8 topics and complete 8 tasks that will help you become an expert on the "land down under." Your expedition will be finished by Buckley's Winter Vacation.

As you explore Australia, you will be collecting souvenirs to fill a backpack about your tour. The souvenirs may be artifacts, photographs, postcards, crafts or trinkets. You will decide what to collect to remind you of your expedition. This will be a fun learning adventure. Enjoy it!

Process

1.	Your journey across Australia to complete each task will take place in the classroom, Science Lab, Enrichment, Library, and Computer Lab.
2.	You will be given a project folder, and complete a research planner outlining your investigation during Library and Enrichment.
3.	The information you find will be recorded on a research journal or template guide. Look for templates marked with numbers that match each task.
4.	The Web resources for your journey are linked to each task.
5.	After each task is completed, you will make a souvenir that shows what you have learned, and add it to your backpack. Details about souvenirs will be explained after each task is completed.

Task #1
Geography

Australia is a big country with lots to offer. We divide our land into 2 territories and 6 states. Yes, Skipper, me own mum raised me in the Outback (out back of what?) in the shadow of a huge lump of red rock. This rock meant nothing to me, but was sacred to the Aborigines. Can you find this landmark and name the territory I lived in when I was a boy? W. W.
Steps

Click here to find and print Template 1-A. for the outline map of Australia.

Use the following link to help you label your outline map.
Australian Territories and States Map

Click here to find and print Template 1-B (2 pages). Read the instructions. Use the map to answer the questions on the template. When you finished answering the questions, use each of the following links below to find the capital city for each state and territory. Circle the capital city on the Template 1-B map with a red pencil.

Territories

Northern Territory
Australian Capital Territory

States

Queensland
New South Wales
Victoria
South Australia
Western Australia
Tasmania

Bonus
Click here to find and print an outline map of Australia. Now try using your memory to label the states, territories, seas and capitals.

Task #2
Aborigines

G'Day! Australia has its own native people just like the United States. They are called the Aborigines, and long ago roamed the Outback in family groups similar to tribes. W. W.

Steps

1.	Click here to find and print Template #2:
2.	Use the following links to record your information on the template: Aborigines from Facts for Learning Aborigines
3.	When you finish Template #2, you will use one of your examples about Aborigines and Native Americans as a caption for the illustration you would like to draw on your film strip.
4.	Click here to find and print "Aborigine Film Strip"

Product: Artifacts and photographs
Students will illustrate scenes from Aborigine life in a series of 2 -4 color "photographs."

Bonus
Click here to find and print the bonus template for Task 2.
Use the following link to complete your bonus template.
Australian Aborigines

Task #3
Boomerangs

657

Watch out!
Whew! That boomerang just missed you by less than a foot! You'd better get more information about those things. Research boomerangs and learn more about how to use them. I'll wait under the jeep where it's safe! W. W.

Steps

1.	Click here to go to Searchasaurus, one of the library's online databases.
2.	Type the user name and password to use the database.
3.	Once you have logged in select the "Primary Search" for magazine articles.
4.	Type boomerangs in the search field and press enter to start the search.
5.	Select the article with the title "Boomerangs" in the August 2000 issue of National Geographic World Magazine.
6.	Print the article and highlight the important information.
7.	When you have finish reading. Click here to find and print Template #4 on "boomerangs".
8.	Write your answers to the questions and statements on the template.

Product: Boomerang and Instructions
Students will create and decorate a poster board boomerang. In addition, they will write and illustrate simple directions for throwing it.

Bonus
Click here to find and print the bonus template for Task 3
Use the following link to complete your bonus template.
Boomerang Anatomy

Task #4
Dreamtime

G'Day Kids! Ready for some storytelling? It's a tradition in Australia that goes a way back. Listening is the best way to get the feel for a good tale. So, rather than me telling you, I've decided to let some of me mates do it. W. W.
Steps

Use one of the following links to find your story. Click on "Audio Version" under the story list in the left column. LISTEN to your story two times before going to Step 2.

Dreaming Stories from Australia

Creation Story
Gulage
How Water Got to the Plains
Illawarra and the Five Islands
Min-na-wee (Why the crocodile rolls)
Thukeri
Toonkoo and Ngaardi

Click here to find and print the Dreaming Story SummaryTemplate.

When you have finished writing your summary Click here to find and print the Dreaming Story Picture Template

Complete your template.

Go to your teacher's Think.com page and post a message to W.W. about this task.

Task #5
Animals

aus3s.gif - 9.9 K

Q. What did the mother kangaroo say when she couldn't find her baby?
A. Help, my pocket's been picked!

Skipper,
Just a little joke to put you in the mood for our animal safari. Yes, Mates, now you are going to learn about Australia's amazing animals. Follow the steps below and research 2 animals. Try to pick birds, reptiles, mammals, etc. that you think no one else will choose. Look for my friends, Steve, Terry and Bindi Sue as you go. W. W.

Steps

1.	Use the following link to find an animal you would like to research. Native Australian Animals Unique Australian Animals
2.	Print the information for your animal and read about your animal.
3.	When you finish reading, highlight the important facts.
4.	Click here to find and print the Animal Fact Finding template. Complete the template by writing the information for each of the questions. This template is two pages.
5.	Click here to find and print the field guide to make for your animal.
6.	Neatly write the information you need to complete the template.
7.	Draw a picture of your animal on the cover of your field guide.
8.	Go to your teacher's Think.com page and post a message to W.W. about this task.

Product: Official Zoo Guide/Animal Sculpture
Students will write and illustrate a field guide about one of Australia's animals. They may also make a small clay sculpture of their animal if time permits.

BONUS
Choose your own animal and create another field guide by following the same steps above.

Task #6
Australia Today

Wallaby here again,
The Aussie people are a proud lot. They love life and have many unique features to their culture. Use the template and research Australian culture. Bet'cha can't guess what my favorite pastime is when I'm not giving jeep tours. Hint: I love speed and insects. W. W.
Steps

1.	Click here to find and print Template #5A
2.	Use the following links to find the information to complete your template: Australia Australian Food
3.	Click here to find and print Template #5B
4.	Use the following links to record your information on the template: What is a Didgeridoo?
5..	Click here to when you complete the Template 5B
6.	Go to your teacher's Think.com page and post a message to W.W. about this task.

Product: Photographs/Snapshots
Students will create a photo album of themselves enjoying the recreational activities in Australia.

Bonus
Click here to find and print the bonus template for Task 6
Use the following link to complete your bonus template.
Australian Lingo

Task #7
Outback

Outback
Hold on to yer hats, Mates! We've run out of gas! But there is no need to worry. We'll just go walkabout and take in some of the sights on foot. Use the template and explore the Outback. Discover what a beautiful and deserted place the Never, Never can be. Let's hope someone rescues us soon. I'm getting hot and hungry! W. W.

Steps

1.	Click here to find and print a map of Australia.
2.	The Outback is the dry region west of the mountain range. Hint: Ayers Rock is located in the center of the Outback. Label the Outback on the map.
3.	Click here to find and print Template #6
4.	Use the following link to find a picture of a sacred site to the Aborigines known as Uluru: Uluru
5.	Draw a picture of Ayers Rock on your template.
6.	Click here to find and print Template #7 (2 pages)
7.	Use the following links to record your information on the template: Australian Outback Australian's Natural History Safari
8.	Click here to find and print Template #8 - Poem Draft
9.	Write a poem describing the Australian Outback
10.	Click here to find and print Template #9 Print Template #9 on a color printer.
11.	Go to your teacher's Think.com page and post a message to W.W. about this task.

Product: Outback Survival Kit
Students will assemble an Outback survival kit in a shoe box. The kit shave have a least 10 items necessary for survival in the Outback. Each student is only permitted to include 1 wrapped food product as part of his or her kit.

Task #8
Great Barrier Reef

Quiet Mates, I have to tell you a little secret about me. I can't swim. So, while you go diving and explore the Great Barrier Reef, I'm staying on the boat...........W. W.

Steps

1.	Before you dive in click here to find and print Template #10 (2 pages)
2.	Take the template along with you as you explore the Great Barrier Reef at this link: Coral Reef Animals Great Barrier Reef @ National Geographic
3.	Once you are back on the boat click here to find and print Template #11
4.	Notice all of the exotic animals that live there. After exploring for awhile, use the link below to help you finish Template #11: Coral Reef Animals Native Fish Australia
5.	Go to your teacher's Think.com page and post a message to W.W. about this task.

Product: Coral Reef
Students will create an enlarged three dimensional model of a coral polyp.

Resources

Aborigines Australian People Aboriginal Art Desert Art	Animals Unique Australian Animals Animals of Australia Crocodile Hunter Flying Foxes in Australia	Coral Reefs Native Fish Australia Coral Reef Animals
Culture Australian Food Didgeridoo Religion Australian Coat of Arms Australia Day Kids Corner	Geography Australia Formation of Australia Rainforest-Australia Explorers of Australia	Outback Australian's Natural History Safari

Evaluation	Rubric
Conclusion	So long, Mates. Our trip is over and it's been great. It's amazing how many places we've visited and how much we learned about the "land down under" in only 4 weeks. As an official Willy Wallaby Tour Survivor and expert on Australia, you may now click here to find and print your Official Tour Certificate.