Outback "Bushwalk" Across Australia

An Upper Elementary WebQuest

Second through Fourth Grades

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits

                                                    by Joy Harvey

Introduction

G'day Mate,

            You have been selected as a tour guide for Outback "Bushwalk" Across Australia.  You will be working in pairs and will be in charge of a group of 5 travelers from various countries.  Your "Bushwalk" will last 3 weeks and you will make at least 10 different stops.  Your group of travelers will be able to each select a site to visit and you will have to accomadate them.  The other 5 sites will be decided by you and your partner guide. You may travel by land water and air, but you must stay within your traveling budget.  Your traveling budget will be dispersed each Monday for the next week.  Your travelers will arrive at the Sydney airport on Sunday and the "Bushwalk" will begin on Monday.  Please research the major towns and sites and plan your route according to your groups selections that will be included in your packet.                                      

Sincerely,        Your Travel Leader

Task

The teacher will provide an Outback "Bushwalk" Across Australia packet for each pair of tour guides.  The packets will include:                

• A list of 5 travelers including age, sex, country of origin, and Australian site in which they want to see.

• A laminated Australian Map and dry-erase marker to map out their trip.

• A Budget form and amount of their weekly traveling budget.

• A list of hotel prices and the hotels reviewed ranking for each city that they want to go and visit.

• A list of activity prices and or websites to gather activity prices.

• A calendar in which to schedule their trip.

• A list of land, air, and sea traveling options including dates and  prices (or websites for prices).

This WebQuest will give students a chance to explore a different land for the purpose of getting their "happy"tour group across Australia in a timely manner.  Students will reasearch and plan their trip and be in charge of a weekley budget for their group.  This project will provide many oppertunities to work on Math, Geography, Social Studies, and Relationship skills.  This WebQuest should help improve learning through hands on activities and a real need for new knowledge.  By working in pairs each student will be able to use each others strengths and improve on any weeknesses through teamwork.

Process

Students will evaluate their group and plan their trip with their group members in mind before the trip actually begins.  The students will encounter budgeting concerns and weather events which may alter their original plan.  Each student pair will also be evaluated on their ability to work together.  The pair will research the following sites for information that will help in deciding which is the best route.  They will also be asked at times to find specific information or weather events that might help or hinder their trip.

Australia

 http://www.australia.com/home_us.aust?L=en&C=US

 http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/australasia/australia/

 http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/specials/goplaces/0,12405,424866,00.html

Parks

 http://gorp.com/gorp/location/australi/park/parks.htm

Weather

 http://www.msnbc.com/news/wea_front.asp?ta=y

Evaluation

Name ____________________________________________             Date ___________________

Teamwork Evaluation: evaluated by travel team partner

Outback "Bushwalk" Across Australia Evaluation (Teacher Evaluation of Tourist Teams)

• Ability to follow a planned schedule and route.

• Ability to change course or activity as needed.

• Ability to stay within the allowed traveling budget.

• Creativity in selecting activities for their group.

• Ability to locate information about a variety of towns and or sites. (fact sheets)

Fact Sheet

Town or Site: ____________________________________________________________

Location: _______________________________________________________________

Historical Significance: _____________________________________________________

Weather: _______________________________________________________________

Local Animals or Plants: ___________________________________________________

Conclusion

This Bushwalk is located in Australia.  I chos this because I have been there and loved the people and animals.  It is something to be walking in a city park and a Kacatoo flies to the top of a nearby tree.  I would definately include a slideshow of pictures that I took while there and a show and tell of item that I brought back.  This Bushwalk format could also be used for many other countries and at different times in history.  I will probably tweek this in the future, but it seems like a good start.

       Credits     

Australia

Australia. (2003). We can't wailt to say G'day. Retrieved on March 31, 2003, from http://www.australia.com/home_us.aust?L=en&C=US

Lonely Planet. (2003). Australia. Retrieved on March 31, 2003, from http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/australasia/australia/

Time for Kids. (2003). Australia. Retrieved on March 31, 2003, from http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/specials/goplaces/0,12405,424866,00.html

Parks

GORP.  (2003). Your guide to outdoor recreation & active travel. Retrieved on March 31, 2003, from http://gorp.com/gorp/location/australi/park/parks.htm

Weather

MSNBC News. (2003). Weather. Retrieved on March 31, 2003, from http://www.msnbc.com/news/wea_front.asp?ta=y

Pictures

National Library of Australia. (2003). Pictures catalogue. Retrieved on March 31, 2003, from http://www.nla.gov.au/catalogue/pictures/

Peachey, B. (2003).  Web clip art. Retrieved on March 31, 2003, from http://webclipart.about.com/msubausaa.htm

Rayfield, C. (1996). Welcome to Australia. Retrieved on March 31, 2003, from http://www.geocities.com/Paris/4734/

Rivera, L. (2003).  Australia/New Zealand for visitors. Retrieved on March 31, 2003, from http://goaustralia.about.com/