Introduction

This is a WebQuest for grades 6-8.

It is meant to inform the students about their own skills and many of the careers available in an agricultural environment. It is also meant to improve their technology skills. Through the graphic design work, the students will also have a heightened awareness of the principles and elements of art.

Task

Make a poster to illustrate what the particular position does. Then, write 3 paragraphs explaining the profession, and 1 recommending particular classes and or organizations to join that would help grow interest in the area.

Unit Notes and Process

Step 1 – About You

Materials Needed:

One worksheet per person
Writing utensil

Encourage students to take time filling out the worksheet. It can be graded on a completion basis (for 20 points in the unit).

Step 2 – Career Research

Materials Needed:

2 matrices per person
Writing utensil

Here is the answer key and example for filling out a matrix using the FFA website and others provided:

Answer Key

Break students into groups of 4. Allow them time to read one another’s matrix and ask questions.

Step 4 - Poster

Each student will need to have access to their own computer to be able and work on the poster.

If possible, you will want to print out the students’ poster in order to display them around the room.

Unit Extensions

Part 2.5 - Educational Plans

If you are doing this with students who are making future education choices, then you can elaborate on the educational requirements. Here is a very good link for looking at the post high school and alternative forms of education:

http://www.knowhowvirginia.org/cte/hsandbeyond.asp

Part 3 - Design Tips

You can choose for there to be more of an emphasis on art in the unit if you can expand upon the principles and elements of art. This is a great link for working more in-depthly with the principles of design.

http://www.brigantine.atlnet.org/GigapaletteGALLERY/websites/ARTiculationFinal/MainPages/Reviews%20and%20Resourcesmain.htm

Additional Resources

Here is a link to introduce success stories from students who have completed the requirements for their job of choice.

http://www.knowhowvirginia.org/cte/successStories.asp

This site proposes questions and answers about paying for a college education.

http://www.ed.gov/students/prep/college/thinkcollege/early/edlite-q-and-a.html

At this site you can search for any type of higher education throughout the country.

http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/

If you need more help in regard to using and creating on Microsoft Word, visit:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word/FX100649261033.aspx?CTT=96&Origin=CL100636481033

Evaluation

See the answer key provided for the table worksheet for grading.

Here is the rubric to use when grading the poster and explanation

Here is the unit evaluation sheet to add up the total points

SOLs

Here is a link to the complete list of Virginia’s Standards of Learning:

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/go/Sols/home.shtml

SOLs covered in this WebQuest:

Sixth

English

6.1 The student will analyze oral participation in small-group activities.

6.6 The student will write narratives, descriptions, and explanations.

b) Establish central idea, organization, elaboration, and unity.

c) Select vocabulary and information to enhance the central idea, tone, and voice.

6.7 The student will edit writing for correct grammar, capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and sentence

structure.

b) Use subject-verb agreement with intervening phrases and clauses.

c) Use pronoun-antecedent agreement to include indefinite pronouns.

d) Maintain consistent tense inflections across paragraphs.

f) Use correct spelling for frequently used words.

Technology

C/T 6-8.4 The student will practice responsible use of technology systems, information, and software.

· Demonstrate the correct use of fair use and copyright regulations.

C/T 6-8.5 The student will demonstrate knowledge of technologies that support collaboration, personal pursuits, and productivity.

· Work collaboratively and/or independently when using technology.

· Explore the potential of the Internet as a means of personal learning and the respectful exchange of ideas and products.

C/T 6-8.9 The student will use a variety of media and formats to communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences.

· Choose the appropriate tool, format, and style to communicate information.

· Independently use technology tools to create and communicate for individual and/or collaborative projects.

· Produce documents demonstrating the ability to edit, reformat, and integrate various software tools.

Art

6.2 The student will use the principles of design, including proportion, rhythm, balance, emphasis,

variety, and unity, to express ideas and create images.

6.10 The student will use computer graphics and computer-generated text to create original works of art.

6.20 The student will identify and examine ethical standards in the use of

1. print and digital images;

2. materials protected by copyright; and

3. information technology.

Seventh

English

7.1 The student will give and seek information in conversations, in group discussions, and in oral

presentations.

b) Communicate ideas and information orally in an organized and succinct manner.

c) Ask probing questions to seek elaboration and clarification of ideas.

7.8 The student will develop narrative, expository, and persuasive writing.

b) Elaborate the central idea in an organized manner.

c) Choose vocabulary and information that will create voice and tone.

d) Use clauses and phrases to vary sentences.

f) Use a word processor to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish selected writings.

7.9 The student will edit writing for correct grammar, capitalization, punctuation, spelling, sentence

structure, and paragraphing.

c) Choose pronouns to agree with antecedents.

d) Use subject-verb agreement with intervening phrases and clauses.

e) Edit for verb tense consistency.