Website and Webquest

It is very frustrating to still not know where I will be assigned for next year. I really do want to start think about the summer projects. For a website I'd like to build a brief all-encompassing site to introduce myself to parents (and students!) and give an overview of each "class" or subject I will be teaching. I'd like it to be a central place that all my students can go to get basic information, and then links to explore further to other websites (eventually).

For my Webquest, I have vague ideas kicking around. But for me I think it will depend on where I am assigned. If all else fails, I can make a Webquest for a course I am currently teaching. However, I'd really like to make something useful for me for next year. All will be revealed on Friday.

Webquests and Essential Questions

I still can't seem to get past assigning those "go find out" types of assignments. In my experiences, my students are best at those specific tasks. I've given assignments where student have to find specific information about a topic. But rarely do these projects require synthesis. I have tried to include a synthesizing conclusion paragraph to an essay. But I don't get many great products. Sometimes I get something like "I think it's good/bad..."

I definitely see the value in essential questions. All my formal educations schooling has been around essential questions. But I feel like many of my students lack basic knowledge or find it hard to think about bigger ideas and then break it down. It's hard to get at an essential question when lots of minor building block facts are forgotten regularly.

I find myself teaching and reteaching basic facts. So the essential questions often get lost. I want to make an effort to reclaim essential questions, and weave them into my coursework, even while spiraling back to basic facts.