A WEBQUEST OF THE ERIE CANAL

Completed by Miss Katie Brooks

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.

INTRODUCTION

• 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.

TASK

MAP OF CANALCanal meets Hudson River

We live here!!

Canal meets Lake Erie

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

PROCESSES

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.

CONCLUSION

4 3 2 1Information 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.

EVALUATION

**Student will be given a score 1-4 based on the number of indicators earned in each category**

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

RESOURCES