Web Quest Lesson Plan

Introduction
Students have explored the topic of Optimism and Individualism. In this lesson, they will read about optimism in uncertain times and about the concept of self-reliance. After reading brief essays on optimism and independence on two Web sites, students will take a self-test on optimism, summarize their results, and respond to their results by incorporating what they have learned in the readings.

Lesson Description
Students will read selected passages from “The Optimism of Uncertainty” http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?ItemID=6589 and “Self-Reliance” http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~wldciv/world_civ_reader/world_civ_reader_2/emerson.html, then they will take the Optimism Self-Test http://www.spiritualityhealth.com/newsh/items/selftest/item_236.html and summarize and respond to their results based on what they have learned in the readings.

Instructional Objectives

1. Students will use the Internet as a resource to get information.
2. Students will read about optimism and self-reliance, and take a self-test.
3. Students will summarize their results and respond to them based on what they have learned in the readings.

Student Web Activity Sample Answer
I got an “average” score on my Optimism Self-Test. I am moderately surprised by my results because I think that I have a tendency to be more pessimistic. However, after reading the articles, I realize that I do hold hope, especially in respect to changes in the world and in myself. I realize that being true to my beliefs and acting accordingly will actually help me to be even more optimistic about the state of my life and that of the world.