World's Fair 1904 Webquest

Cherished Keepsakes of 1904

A Webquest for Social Studies
( Grades 4, 5, and 6 )
Written
by
Marcella Mueller



Introduction	Task	Process	Resources	Evaluation	Conclusion

Introduction: Go on and open it. You try, but your great-grandmother's creaky old trunk lid does not want to open very easily. With a little more effort, you manage to lift the antique (something old) trunk lid to discover and view its special contents. Wow! St. Louis 1904 World's Fair memorabilia ( things or events worth remembering ) are scattered throughout the trunk. You know that your great-grandmother has dreamed of organizing these cherished keepsakes for a long time. Now is the time to help. Can you help your great- grandmother to fulfill her dream of sharing her cherished belongings for all to see?


Task: You are to organize and create an illustrated scrapbook of the St. Louis 1904 World's Fair memorabilia that are scattered in great-grandmother's antique trunk. She saved a lot for you to work with. Selections of postcards, old photos, stamps, newspaper articles, ticket stubs, advertisements, and/or any other written communication that could have been collected from that time period need to be included in the scrapbook to be created by you.


Process: You will be divided into groups of two or three. Step One: You are to first research as a group the St. Louis 1904 World's Fair to discover the following information: a) Where exactly was the fair located in St. Louis? b) How many countries were represented at the fair? c) What were some of the main attractions of the fair? - name at least four d) What historical event was the fair commemorating? Step Two: After your group has answered the questions for Step One, your group will now locate or draw sample copies of postcards, old photos or pictures, tickets of admission, sample newspaper articles or other related items that could be put into a scrapbook. Each member of your group will then compile the samples into an original scrapbook. As you are working on your scrapbook, take time to look at the scale. (*Construction paper will be provided for each student to use when making your scrapbook.) Step Three:* Each of you are to write a caption with a justified reason or reasons for each page of the scrapbook that will explain to great-grandmother why you have chosen the items for that page. Step Four: Design and/or color an original cover for your scrapbook. (*Construction paper will be provided for covers.) Step Five:* Present the completed scrapbook to your great-grandmother.


Resources: To learn about the history and significance of the St. Louis 1904 World's Fair, you will need to consult your social studies textbooks, encyclopedias, and the following links: The Heart of the Fair The Greatest of Expositions Terry's 1904 World's Fair 1904 World's Fair Virtual Tour 1904 St. Louis World's Fair


Evaluation: You will be evaluated on this scale.


Conclusion: Great-grandmother says "THANK YOU". You have helped great-grandmother to fulfill her wish of organizing her cherished memorabilia from the St. Louis 1904 World's Fair. She also knows that you have gained some very useful information about the St. Louis 1904 World's Fair to share with others. She wants you to continue your thoughtfulness and interest in helping others throughout your life. One way in doing so is to recommend some events and activities for the upcoming celebration in St. Louis to honor the Lewis and Clark Expedition. She says, "Go on, give it a try because you can do it."

Clip Art by Treasured Chests
J.O.D's Old Fashioned Black and White Clip Art Collection

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