A Webquest of the Erie Canal Completed by Miss Katie Brooks

Introduction In 1825 the Erie Canal was completed. This water system linked Lake Erie with the Hudson River. The Erie Canal encouraged settlers to move west and provided a cheap and safe way to move products for trading.

Task You have traveled back in time and will be taking a trip along the Erie Canal in the first years of its existence. You will be directed to various websites which allow you to experience and explore the Erie Canal in its earliest form. At the completion of your journey you will be asked to write a description of your travels which includes some of the ports that you visited and who you met along the way.

Map of Canal Canal meets Hudson River Canal meets Lake Erie We live here!! Canal meets Lake Erie

Processes Watch the clip below about the development of and early years of travel on the Erie Canal. http://www.watchknowlearn.org/Video.aspx?VideoID=26538 Click on the link below and select ‘Canal Tour’ from the menu on the right. Choose an area of the canal to travel and explore. At your favorite port email me a postcard and explain why you enjoyed visiting that town. http://www.epodunk.com/routes/erie-canal/start.html

Processes Click on the link below to view an interactive slideshow about the Erie Canal. Read the information and explore the pages about aqueducts, excavation, history and locks. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/newyork//laic/episode1/topic7/erie.swf Do you have what it takes to build or operate a lock along the Erie Canal? Click on the link below to test your skills. http://www.canals.org/games/Lockpuzzle/Lock_Puzzle_x768_1_8.html

Conclusion Congratulations! You have completed your journey. Now write a letter to a friend or family member to share your experiences on the Erie Canal. Be sure to reference at least 3 of the following: your reaction of the trip, people you met, ports you visited, fun facts you learned, your opinion of Governor Clinton approving the project, traveling through locks, your favorite part of the trip or reaction about being pulled along the canal by mules.

Evaluation 4 3 2 1 Information Accuracy Information is accurate with no mistakes. Information is mostly accurate with 1-2 mistakes Information is somewhat accurate with 3-4 mistakes Information is mostly inaccurate with 4+ mistakes. Detail Letter includes more than 3 of the required details. Letter includes 3 of the required details. Letter includes 2 of the required details. Letter includes 1 or no required details. Language and Mechanics (spelling, punctuation, grammar, vocabulary) Above grade level use of writing conventions. Grade level use of writing conventions Below grade level use of writing conventions. Does not take into consideration writing conventions. Effort and Presentation Writing is typed or exceptionally neat and easy to follow. Writing is neat and easy to follow. Writing is sloppy with errors scribbled out. Writing is illegible and the letter not written with care. **Student will be given a score 1-4 based on the number of indicators earned in each category**

Resources http://www.eriecanal.org/index.html http://www.eriecanal.org/maps/Abbott-1852.jpg