• Locate, interpret, and organize information about the environment, history, culture, economic resources, and major physical characteristics of a Latin American country using a variety of primary and secondary sources.
• Describe and locate the major economic resources of a Latin American country (human, natural, and capital).
• Identify and describe human characteristics (culture) of a Latin American country.
• Identify the absolute location of major cities and physical characteristics of a Latin American country using longitude and latitude.
• Identify the countries of Latin America on a map.
• Use selected web sites and other online resources to find information about Latin America.
• Use traditional resources (books, encyclopedias, almanacs, atlases) to find information about Latin America.
• Read for a purpose.
• Use strategies to select an appropriate text for a given purpose/assignment/task.
• Evaluate and search appropriate sources of information to investigate a question or topic.
• Locate and save images from online resources.
• Use a word processor to produce a travel brochure.
• Use menus and other procedures to add text, images, and other content to the travel brochure.
• Create a presentation to the class on a Latin American country.

Technology

• Students should have a basic understanding of how to use a word processor to create and save documents.
• Students should be able to use a browser to navigate the Internet.
• Students should also be able to run both the word processor and the browser applications and toggle between the open windows.

Social Studies:

• Students should be able to read a map and identify the longitude and latitude of any given location.

Library Media

• Students should know how to access and search the OPAC.
• Students should be familiar with the Big6 process for information problem solving.

In this curriculum web, the students will use a WebQuest to meet the objectives of this unit of study.  In this WebQuest, the students will take the role of a travel agent and design a vacation package to a Latin American country that meets the different needs of six people who have booked reservations for this trip.

Activity One ~ Gather Information

The students will be given specific lessons on note taking and citing resources prior to beginning the WebQuest.  They will then familiarize themselves with the task being asked of them on the WebQuest and select a Latin American country that is to be approved by the teacher to prevent duplicates.  Using the preselected web sites, suggested texts, and online catalog, students will gather information about their country that meets the criteria stated in the task.

Activity Two ~ Analyze and Synthesize  Research

The students will use the data they have gathered to design a vacation package that meets the needs of all of the travelers who have booked a trip to see their assigned country.  Using a word processor and images harvested from the Internet, the students will create a travel brochure to promote this vacation package.

Activity Three ~ Present Research

The students will continue their role as a travel agent to create a presentation to promote this vacation package to prospective travelers who may be interested in going on this trip.  Students may choose to create a poster, a web site, or a multimedia presentation to present their information.  A blank outline map of Latin America will be filled in by each student as each presentation is given.  The culminating event of this unit of study will be to set up a travel bazaar in the gym where each “travel agent” will maintain a travel booth to promote travel to their Latin American country.  Students can bring in artifacts representing their country, prepare authentic food, dress up, play music, or anything else they feel would help to promote their country.  Parents will be invited to this event as well as the other classes in the school.

Enrichment Activity

At the conclusion of the Latin American unit of study, students can challenge one another by playing Guess that Latin American Country. Each student will need to develop ten clues about their country based on their research. Of the ten clues, one of them should be a "give away" clue. Using a template (developed by Lori Wetzel), students will type their clues into a PowerPoint presentation that will be viewed by their classmates. Using both print and electronic resources, students are challenged to guess each other's countries. Working in small groups, students choose clues randomly and submit guesses based on those clues. To avoid random guesses, student groups are given a "three strikes and you're out" policy. Points are assigned based on how many clues are necessary for groups to guess the correct country.

• You must include the name of the country and its location, including a map.

• You must include at least two graphics.

• You must include a brief summary of the setting.

• You must include information that meets the needs of the 6 tourists traveling to the country: history, economy, government, arts and culture, food, recreational activities, and geography.

• Your content must be accurate and presented in an attractive, well organized manner.

• Your spelling, grammar, and punctuation must be correct.

• You must plan and rehearse your presentation.

• You must demonstrate a clear understanding of your country.

• You must show creativity in your presentation (props, multimedia, poster, web site, etc.)

• You must be prepared to answer questions from your classmates.

• You must show enthusiasm and generate interest in your vacation package.

• You must speak clearly with a voice that can be heard by all audience members.