The Case of the Missing Trunks

Introduction:Just this morning your parents were reading the newspaper and found the most interesting article.

Task:  Your parents have called the New York Port Authority and given them the name of your teacher. They have mailed her the trunks. Each group will be given a trunk. Your group's job is to open the trunk and look inside. Using the items in the trunk and the websites below, your challenge is to figure out which famous explorer owned the trunk.

However, in order to return the trunk to the rightful owner, the Port Authority would like you to explain why it belongs to that person. To do that, you will have to create a journal about your explorer explaining:

• Name of explorer
• Date of the explorer's birth and death
• Country the explorer sailed for
• Voyage dates
• Country of intended destination and where they actually landed if it was different
• Discoveries
• Interesting facts that you want the Port Authority to know
• A map of his route

You will use the items in the trunk to verify the details and points in your journal. For instance, if you find a newspaper from the year 1492, written in Spanish, you might assume that the trunk belongs to Christopher Columbus. To the Port Authority you might say that Christopher Columbus sailed for Queen Isabella of Spain in 1492, thus we believe this trunk belongs to him. The Port Authority also needs a luggage tag and a passport for each trunk to be returned.

Process:

1. Open your trunk and examine each of the items. Discuss them with your partners.
2. Using the Evidence Worksheet, list the items in the trunk.
3. Visit the websites below and eliminate explorers until you have found the one that you think is the owner of the trunk.
4. Make notes beside each item of evidence on the worksheet that supports your decision.
5. Create your journal to the Port Authority.
6. Design a luggage tag in KidPix Studio Deluxe. Attach it to the trunk. The tag should include:
   • Name of explorer
   • Name of ship he traveled on
   • Country where the voyage started
7. Fill in the passport (Passport page 1, Passport page 2). On the outside of the passport:
   • Draw the flag of the country where the explorer was born.
   • Write the name of the country.
8. On the inside of the passport:
   • Fill in the name and birthdate
   • Create a stamp for each country the explorer visited
   • Draw a picture of the explorer
   • Note the important discoveries or accomplishments
9. Present your journal/report in front of the class as a group. They will serve as the Port Authority's judging panel. It will be up to them to decide whether you have found the proper owner, or not.
10. Display your trunk, passport, and Evidence Worksheet at the Explorers Extravaganza.

Resources:

Use the websites below to do your investigating. You will be able to return to this homepage by clicking on the  at the bottom of each of the pages.
 

	Jacques Cartier
	Christopher Columbus
	Ponce De Leon
	Fancisco Vasquez de Coronado Christopher Newport
	Samuel de Champlain
Flags of the explorers

Learning Advice:
You will be working together in a group. Each person should share in the work. Take turns writing and driving the mouse. You will need to divide up the items in the trunk when you give your report. Each person should do some of the talking. Do not eliminate an explorer just because one item does not match. Take your time making choices.

Conclusion:
The Port Authority is very grateful for your help. You have been invited to the Explorers Extravaganza. There will VIPs in attendance and light snacks to celebrate your success. You will get a chance to view the trunks and evidence of the other groups.
 

Thanks to:

http://www.fcps.edu/KingsParkES/technology/webquests/explorers/index.htm

Designed by Brooks Widmaier
May 17, 2006