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The Day You Were Born

Originally Developed by Catherine Campanella
St. Phillip Neri School, Metarie, LA

Further Developed by Catherine A. Schmitt

Compiled by Janice Carlton
 

  


 Introduction

Everyone knows how old they are in years, but do you know how old you are in days? Do you know what was happening in the world on the day you were born? Who was the president of the United States? What type of music was popular and who was singing it? What movies were everyone waiting in line to see? How much did it cost to mail a letter? This WebQuest will take you on a journey over the Internet to find the answers to these and many other questions. You are unique and so was the world on the day you were born.

This is your unique story. It is your job to gather the facts as they pertain to the day you were born and share the information with your classmates.


The Task

After becoming acquainted with the basic facts for navigating through this lesson, you will be asked to:

  • collect data;
  • record your findings;
  • organize the information;
  • Create a PowerPoint

The Process

You will work in pairs to complete this project. Two weeks will be allowed to research the project. If additional time is necessary, you are expected to do the work during recess. The following is a list of suggested steps to take to complete the WebQuest.

  • You will be assigned a partner to work with.
  • You will receive a copy of each of the research handout.
  • Review the handout prior to beginning the lesson.
  • To answer the questions on the handout, follow the links to locate the information you need about your special day.

OK, it's time to get started. Have fun!

 

How Old Are You?
  • Click here to find out how old you are in days.
  • Use the first 3 boxes only. For example, if your birthday is April 27, 1985, type 27 in the Day of the Month box, 04 in the Month box, and 1985 in the Year box.   (Leave the time window blank.)
  • Click on the Show Countdown button.
  • Write down how many days, hours, and minutes old you are on question #1. The hours and minutes will be approximate since we don't have the exact time you were born. 

 The Man in the Moon and YOU

Literary Giants were Little Babies. Literary giants are people who have done something big in the reading and writing world. The 'Giant' could be an author, critic, or artist.
bulletClick here to research a literary figure whose birthday is the same as yours.
bulletClick on the month you were born.
bulletScroll down to find someone who was born on your birthday.  If no information is available, go to the day closest to your birthday.
bulletAnswer the question #4 on the handout.
bulletClick on the month you were born.
bullet

In your own words, write 2-3 sentences about this person on the handout.

 

What Else is News?

  • A new baby is the greatest news a family could have. But there were other things going on in the world when you were born.

  • There's a lot of information on the website you're about to visit that tells what happened the YEAR you were born. 

  • Now that you're getting the hang of this stuff, I won't bore you with the gory details. Read the info, and enter your birthday. But, notice that for this website you need to use the format MM/DD/YYYY--which means if your birthday is February 28, 1989 then you need to enter it as 02/28/1989.

  • Click on the Quick Page Button.

  • You need to find and record:
    1. The cost of a postage stamp
    2. The President
    3. The Vice President
    4. Best Picture (Academy Award)
    5. Best Actor (Academy Award)
    6. Best Actress (Academy Award)

 

Rock & Roll Baby!

  • Visit this website to find out about the popular music for the week you were born.

  • Find the week you were born and click on it. Answer question #11 on the handout in your own words.

  • Scroll further down the music website page to see if any recording artist shares your birthday--in any year. If there is no information for the year you were born then click (top/center) on "last week" or "next week" until you find an artist who shares your birthday.

  • Answer question #12 on the handout in your own words.

On This Day - NY Times

  • Click here, you are doing great!

  • Use the FIND function to get to your birthday.

  • Research and describe an event that occurred on your birthday to your partner.

  • Answer question #13 on the handout in your own words.

     

Your Day on the History Channel

  • Click here and keep on going.

  • Choose "What happened on your birthday" from the left side of the screen. Enter in your birthday and select "General Interest" from the drop down menu.

  • Choose one event and briefly describe it in your own words on question #15 on the handout.

  • Reenter your birthday on the "What happened on your birthday" and select "Technology" from the drop down menu.

  • Choose one event and briefly describe it in your own words on question #16 on the handout.

 

 

The TV Channel

  • Here's a website about TV shows.

  • Scroll to the year you were born.

  • Write down the top five TV shows for that year.

Your Toys!

  • Visit this website to find out about some of your first toys.

  • Look through the list to find the first toys you can remember.

  • Answer question #17 on the handout.

What is in a Name??

  • Check out these two websites to find out about your name: ParentSoup or 
    Behind the Name    .

  • Locate your name and in your own words write what your name means on the handout. Use the Search feature at Behind the Name to pinpoint your name quickly.

Once you have gathered all the information asked for, you will be given time to create a PowerPoint that retells this information. More information will follow, including the grading criteria.


 Conclusion

After you complete this lesson, you will have experience "surfing" the web. You will be more familiar with how to navigate on the web (go from one site to another and back). You will be more knowledgeable about what the world was like on the day you were born. And, you will be developing research skills, thinking skills and writing skills.