Net Lessons: Sample Lesson

Find Your True Home

Students explore the Web through researching various cities and towns in which they might like to live.

Subject: Social Studies, Life Skills, Language Arts, Art
Grade level: Grades 4-12
Activity type: Web Resource
Activity level: Beginner
Timeframe: 2 class periods
Partners: None

Objectives

Students are introduced to the Web.
Students practice research skills.
Students learn about another community in the U.S.
Students learn important life skills such as creating criteria for thinking about where they might want to live.

Prerequisites

None

Materials Needed

One computer with Web access per student
map

Procedure

Explain that this lesson will familiarize students with the Web. Have students outline criteria for where they might like to live. What lifestyle would they like to have?
In what community might they find such a lifestyle? Have students choose from a wall map a city or town in the U.S. in which they think they would like to live.
Using City Link (http://usacitylink.com/), City Net (http://www.city.net/), and Map Quest: the Interactive Atlas (http://www.mapquest.com/) have students research the city they would like to live.
How much will an average apartment cost in their city? (Have students go to Apartment Search at http://www.rent.net.) Have students find an apartment in which they would like to live. 5. How far is their new city from where they live now? Use HomeBuyersFair (http://www.homefair.com/) to calculate the distance.
Is a newspaper online for their city, state, or a place nearby? If so, what can they learn about the community to which they plan to move? (Use Online Newspapers at http://www.webwombat.com.au/intercom/newsprs/index.htm). Does their community meet the criteria as outlined earlier? If not, what community might? (Other questions to explore include: What is the city known for? Are there any major businesses or universities in the city? Are there any books, stories, or novels about the city?)

Optional Extension

Create a culminating activity for this unit. Assign students to put together a travel brochure for their city complete with postcards, maps, excerpts from a local paper, and other interesting details about their community. Post the travel brochures in a public place for interested travelers.

Timeline

Classes 1-2 Have students research their city.

Tip

Introduce the Web

Use this activity to introduce the Web to your students. By giving them the sites that they need to visit and showing them some of the interesting up-to-date resources available, you’ll have shown your students what is available on the web in a fun, nonthreatening way.

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