Odyssey to a 
Theme Park 
A WebQuest for 9th Grade Pre-AP Literature 
Designed by Susan McDaniel

Susan D. McDaniel 
mcdanisd@mail.nsuok.edu 
 Introduction | Task | Process & Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Standards
Introduction 
The journey is over.  Odysseus and his men have arrived safely home.  You have learned much about the foreign lands they visited and the cultures of those lands. The hard part is over.  Now is the time for some fun.  How much of what you read can you translate to a modern day use?  
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The Task 
Ingenious Designs, Inc., a prestigious architectural firm that specializes in multimillion dollar theme parks, has come to our class to ask for your help.  The Disney Corporation has asked the firm to submit a proposal for its new “Heroes” theme park.  You will be the design team for this project and must complete the following tasks:
	Research authentic costumes worn by Greeks 
	Research authentic Greek food
	Research the route taken by Odysseus

It will be each team’s responsibility to design one third of the final presentation that will cover costumes to be worn by strolling characters, menus for the food courts, and travel brochures for each of the worlds Odysseus visited.  
You will have two weeks to gather your research and complete your part of the presentation. It will be necessary to spend time outside class working on your project.  You will be given enough time during class to do your computer research.
All information will be compiled in a PowerPoint presentation that will be shared with representatives of the design firm and your classmates.  Remember that all elements of the presentation must appear exactly as they will in the finished theme park.  Menu boards should be complete with design graphics and prices.  Costumes should modeled by student designers and videotaped for inclusion in the PowerPoint presentation.  Travel brochures should be printed in color and look professional.

Good Luck and Good Hunting!

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The Process & Resources
1.	First, team and task assignments will be given to 5-6 member design groups.  Make a note of your team number and topic.
2.	Once design groups are in place, you will need to select a Project Superintendent. 
3.	Each design group member will be required to keep an electronic journal of research and progress.
4.	To get started, access the general information. 
The lists provided for each design group are only of some of the sites available on the Internet about each topic.  Many of these links are themselves links to other available sites. Most of what you will be looking for can be found by concentrating on these sites.  However, don't let that stop you from digging deeper, or from using other resources available. If you find that books are easier to read than scrolling through text on the Internet, then by all means, use the library resources to find information about Ancient Greece.  Good Luck and Good Hunting!
    Design Group 1
    Design Group 2
    Design Group 3
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Evaluation 
The following rubric will be used for a group grade for the PowerPoint presentation.  You will be given a separate rubric to evaluate each of your teammates’ participation in the project.
P	
Beginning 
10	
Developing 
20	
Accomplished 
30	
Exemplary 
40	
Score	

Team Participation
 	
Minimum contribution from individual team members; Little direction from Project Superintendent.	
Journals partially completed; Superintendent provided some help and direction.	
Journals completed with websites and related info; Superintendent documented one-on-one participation with team members.	
All Journals contain detailed references to all project steps; Superintendent’s log shows coordination of project from inception to conclusion.	

Content of Completed   Project
 	
Two or fewer recipes, costumes, or points of interest	
Three to five recipes, costumes, or points of interest.	
Six to eight recipes, costumes, or points of interest	
Nine or more recipes, costumes, or points of interest.	

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                               Conclusion                        
When you have completed your Webquest, you will also have gained insight into immensity of information available to you online. In addition, you will have learned how to work cooperatively in groups and develop team skills that will carry you into the real world that awaits outside the walls of academia.  As an educator, my hope is that you will have learned not only more about Homer and all the characters of the Odyssey, but that you will have gained an appreciation of the usefulness of studying classical literature.  
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Credits & References 
Title page graphic: http://www.webcom.com/shownet/medea/ships/grkship1.html Ships of the Ancient Greeks Table 2, #8.
Concept: 
http://coe.west.asu.edu/students/madams/webquest.htm
Mrs. Mary Adams, Seton Catholic H.S., Chandler, AZ, 1999.
Structure and Content: http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/morse/homer_odyssey/               
S. Scott Thompson, Samuel F.B. Morse H.S., San Diego, CA, 1998.
Backgrounds courtesy of Microsoft®. 
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Oklahoma P.A.S.S. Objectives 
Literature Standards
Standard 1:  Writing Process – The student will use the writing process to write coherently.
Standard 1.1: Use a writing process to develop and refine composition skills.
Standard 1.1.a:  Use prewriting strategies to generate ideas such as brainstorming, using graphic organizers, keeping notes and logs.
Standard 4:  Research and Information:  The student will conduct research and organize information.
Standard 4.1: Select the best source for a given purpose.
Standard 4.1.a: - Access information from a variety of primary and secondary sources.
Standard 4.2: Interpreting Information – The student will analyze and evaluate information from a variety of sources.
Standard 4.2.c: Organize and convert information into different forms such as charts, graphs and drawings to create multiple formats to interpret information for multiple audiences and purposes, and cite sources completely.
World History Standards
Standard 1: The student will demonstrate social studies research skills.

Standard 1.1: Identify, analyze, and interpret primary and secondary sources and artifacts.

Standard 1.2: Validate sources as to their authenticity, authority, credibility, and possible bias.

Standard 4: The student will describe and analyze ancient Greece (circa 2000 to 300 B.C.E.) and its impact on contemporary and future civilizations.

Standard 4.3: Describe the social structure, significance of citizenship, and development of democracy in the city-state of Athens.

Standard 4.4: Describe life in Athens during the Golden Age of Pericles.

NETS Standards
7.  Routinely and efficiently use online information resources to meet needs for collaboration, research, publications, communications, and productivity. (4, 5, 6)
8.  Select and apply technology tools for research, information analysis, problem-solving, and decision-making in content learning. (4, 5)
9.  Investigate and apply expert systems, intelligent agents, and simulations in real-world situations. (3, 5, 6)
10. Collaborate with peers, experts, and others to contribute to a content-related knowledge base by using technology to compile, synthesize, produce, and disseminate information, models, and other creative works. (4, 5, 6)

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Last updated on August 15, 1999. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page