Where Would You Move?
A Webquest of Spanish Speaking Countries
Introduction
You are part of a family who has been challenged with an international move. The father of this family has been transferred. He has the choice of three cities in different Spanish speaking countries. The family could move to: Monteverde, Costa Rica; Santa Cruz, Bolivia or Arica, Chile. Because everyone in his family will be affected by the move, he has decided to present the choices to them and together they will research the possibilities. All members of the family, besides the grandfather who speaks only Spanish, are bilingual.
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Task
Each student in your group of five will take on a family member role.
- The Father: The father is in management in a large food company that has plants worldwide. He enjoys golfing in his spare time.
- The Mother: Currently, the mother works part-time as a secretary for her local Catholic parish. She also spends several hours a week volunteering in the local schools and in her church. She would like to continue working in some way, but must not be full-time because she is the primary caretaker of her father who lives with the family.
- The Grandmother: The grandmother lives with her daughter's family and has since the death of her husband 5 years ago. Prior to her husband's death, he lived in Guatemala and speaks only Spanish. She is 75 years old and able to stay alone for hours at a time, but because of many health problems, cannot live alone.
- The Daughter: The daughter is 16 years old and heavily involved in her school with the arts. Her primary interests are dance and music.
- The Son: The son is 15 years old and is also involved in his school with sports. He participates in soccer, basketball, and is a long distance runner.
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Process
1. Assign roles within your group. Each student should create a GoogleDoc and share it with your teacher(s) wilberdings5@gmail.com and rmzidon@gmail.com . List your role on the top of your page. You may arrange your GoogleDoc in any way your wish, but your final pro/con list will be completed using this format. At the end, keep a list of your sources.
2. Look at the list of topics to research below. Make a prioritized list of what will most influence your decision based on your assigned role. What issues will most impact your life?
- climate
- education
- employment
- housing
- medical
- social services
- transportation
- sports
- entertainment
- location
3. From your prioritized list, select the top 6 areas you want to research. Investigate each city/country with regards to those areas. Construct a pro/con list for each location for each topic you have selected. Write this list in Spanish.
4. With your group members, engage in a family meeting in Spanish. Each member will have a turn to present his/her findings. Compile a master pro and con list for each location in Spanish. Devise some plan for evaluation of the list to come to a consensus.
5. After you have decided what location to move to, write a two-page paper in Spanish telling what your life will be like in your new home. Write the paper under the role you have assumed. You may use a diary form or write a five-paragraph essay. Be careful with tenses.
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Resources
The following list is a place to start your research. Don't limit yourself to online resources. Check the library for print materials. There are also several informational articles in the electronic encyclopedias we have in the library such as Grolier's, Encarta, and Compton's. While searching for additional resources, don't rely solely on tourist information. You need more in-depth materials.
Costa Rica
Bolivia
Chile
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Evaluation
You will be evaluated using the following rubric. You will receive points for your individual work (including your pro/con list), your group work (including your final list), and your final essay. Your final grade will be based on your research, your credibility of your role, and your involvement with your group. Use the following rubrics as guidelines while you are working.
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Beginning |
Developing |
Accomplished |
Excellent |
Individual Work |
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Research and Gather Information |
Does not collect any information that relates to the topic. |
Collects little information Some relates to topic. |
Collects good information. Most of it relates to the topic. |
Collects a great deal of information . All of it relates to the topic. |
|
Problem Solving Skills |
Student is very frustrated with project. Gives up easily. |
Student is somewhat frustrated with project but is able to continue working if prodded by teacher or group members. |
Student is rarely frustrated and is able to think of some viable options. |
Student is never frustrated with project and is able to think of multiple options for problems. |
|
Pro/Con List (Content) |
Does not include enough information with respects to role and situation. List is not helpful in family meeting. |
Includes some good information. Some is appropriate in role but some is useless. List brings minimal use to family meeting. |
Includes mostly useful information. Most is appropriate in role. Brings useful points to family meeting. |
Includes all useful information that is role appropriate. Is a great help for the family meeting |
|
Pro/Con List
(Grammar) |
Includes many grammatical errors. List is incomprehensible. |
Includes several grammatical errors. List is readable. |
Includes a few grammatical errors. |
Is error free and well written. |
Group Work |
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|
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Shares Information |
Does not relay any information with group members. |
Relays very little information |
Relays some basic information which relates to the topic. |
Relays a great deal of information which all relates to the topic. |
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Fulfills Role's Responsibilities. |
Does not perform any duties of assigned team role. |
Performs very little duties. |
Performs nearly all duties. |
Performs all duties of assigned team role. |
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Speaks in Spanish in Family Meeting. |
Does not speak in Spanish during meeting. |
Speaks in some Spanish during meeting. |
Speaks mostly in Spanish. |
Speaks in Spanish exclusively. |
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Cooperates with Group |
Usually argues with group members. |
Sometimes argues. |
Rarely argues. |
Never argues. |
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Makes Fair Decisions |
Usually wants to have things own way. |
Often sides with friends instead of considering all views. |
Usually considers all views. |
Always helps team to reach a fair decision. |
Final Paper |
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Content |
Shows no understanding of changes that would occur with the move. |
Shows little understanding of changes that would occur. |
Shows some understanding of lifestyle changes. |
Shows total understanding of what life would be like. |
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Grammar |
Contains many grammatical errors. |
Contains several errors. |
Contains some errors. |
Is virtually error free. |
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Conclusion
As you can see, moving to a new country would effect every aspect of your life. Learning all you can about new cultures and the differences take on new meaning when you know you may live in that culture in the years to come. Would you like to move to another country? Who would be most affected in your family? What would you most miss about where you live now?
Laura Wilberding
Cuba City High School
Last updated 4/8/2013