A WebQuest for 8th Grade Language Arts Writing

Designed by

Tracy M. Reilly
treilly@milforded.org

©

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Last updated on December 8, 2003 . Based on a template fromThe WebQuest Page

Home Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Learners Credits

 

 

 

 

 

Picture yourself living alone in a small town with no doctors around. Suddenly, one day while doing your daily chores you are overcome with intense fear and anxiety. Due to this anxiety you are unable to go about your daily life. You manage to research these feelings and discover you have a PHOBIA, but what is a phobia and what do you do now? Well, You have to act as your own doctor and research what a phobia is. Next, you will need to identify the specific phobia you are suffering from and its characteristics Then, document how this phobia is affecting your life and what steps you can take to cure it.

Home Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Learners Credits

 

 

 

Following this web quest you will learn what phobias are, how they specifically affect your life, and how to treat your phobia.

The final product will be a three part paper covering your research information, experiences living with a phobia, and treatment, as well as, an oral presentation on your phobia.

Home Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Learners Credits

 

 

 

To accomplish this task you will be asked to:

PART ONE

A. Conduct web research on available literature and web sites explaining what phobias are.

What is a phobia?

Fear of phobia?

B. Identify the three main categories of phobias including a brief explanation of each.

Major Categories

 

C. Choose one of the phobias listed below and include its official name, what major category it is classified in, and its characteristics.

Fear of Flying  
Fear of being closed in
Panic Attacks 
Wasps & Insects  
Domestic Animals  
Crossing bridges  
Performance Anxiety
Car travel  
Public Speaking  
Interviews, tests, exams

What's your phobia?

How do they work?

 

PART TWO

A. Keep a medical journal for one week recording how your phobia affects your life. Include everyday activities like riding on the bus, going to school, eating dinner, hanging out with friends, etc. Record how you USED to do these activities (before your diagnosis) and how you perform them now. Consult your research to insure your journal is authentic.

Living with a phobia

 

PART THREE

A. Conduct web research on ways to treat your phobia. Document these treatments and how they have helped you.

Treating Phobias

Are you an expert yet?

 

B. Review your research, journal, and treatment and create a five minute oral presentation on your findings. You will present this at a National Society of Phobic Americans convention in room 17B at Harborside Middle School in Milford, Connecticut. You may want to present visual aids such as poster boards or handouts.

 

Biblography

You MUST must cite ALL your sources in MLA format on the last page of your paper.

Click here to cite sources

 

Home Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Learners Credits

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning

1

Developing

2

Accomplished

3

Exemplary

4

Score

 

Followed web quest accurately

 
Needs assistance or supervision to use suggested Internet links and/or to navigate within these sites.
Occasionally able to use suggested Internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.
Usually able to use suggested Internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.
Successfully uses suggested Internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.

 

Part 1

A. Defined Phobias using web

B. Identify phobia categories

C. Personal phobia

 

One or more topics were not addressed

All topics are addressed, and most questions answered with 1 paragraph about each.
All topics are addressed and most questions answered with at least 2 paragraphs about each

All topics are addressed and all questions answered with at least 2-3 paragraphs about each

 

PART 2

Medical journal documenting daily life with phobia

 

 

 
Cannot explain one way in which you"saw" things differently with your phobia.
Can clearly explain one way in which you "saw" things differently with your phobia.
Can clearly explain several ways in which you "saw" things differently with your phobia and can explain why.
Can clearly explain several ways in which you "saw" things differently with your phobia and can clearly explain why

 

PART 3

Treating your phobia

 
One or more treatments were not addressed.
Some treatments are addressed, and some questions answered in less than one page.
All treatments are addressed and most questions answered with at least one page.
All treatments are addressed and explained in 't at least 1-2 pages

 

ORAL PRESENTATION
Very little use of facial expressions or body language. Did not generate much interest in topic being presented.
Facial expressions and body language are used to try to generate enthusiasm, but seem somewhat faked.
Facial expressions and body language sometimes generate a strong interest and enthusiasm about the topic in others.
Facial expressions and body language generate a strong interest and enthusiasm about the topic in others.

Bibliography
 Some sources are not accurately documented. All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented, but many are not in MLA format All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented, but a few are not in MLA format.

All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented in MLA format.

 

  

 

 

Home Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Learners Credits

 

 

Was your phobia real? Did you overcome your phobia? Does this experience change how you feel about people with phobias? Thorough completing this web quest you are able to answer these questions. You have the ability to define phobias, identify specific types of phobias, treat phobias, and share your experience with fellow phobics. Great Job!

 

Home Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Learners Credits

 

 

 

 

This lesson is anchored in eighth grade language arts and involves psychology and medicine to a lesser extent. The lesson can be extended down to grade seven and up to grade nine.

The learners will need to know how to follow a web quest, research general and specific topics, journal writing, and write a paper prior to beginning this lesson.

 

Home Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Learners Credits

 

 

 

Credits & References


MLA Citation
Connolly, Reg. "What is a phobia" Pegasus NLP's Mind-Body Health Site 04 Dec. 2003 <http://www.pe2000.com/phobia-what.htm>


- Fear of phobia?
http://dmoz.org/Health/Mental_Health/Disorders/Anxiety/Phobias/


- Major categories
http://www.tipsofallsorts.com/phobia.html


- Whats your phobia
http://www.pe2000.com/common-fears.htm


- How do they work?
http://www.phobiascured.com/how_phobias_work.htm

Living with a phobia.
http://www.metahealing.netfirms.com/articles/article1051.html


- Treating Phobias
http://www.pe2000.com/phobias-deal.htm

IMAGES

Giant spiders: m/humour/ archive1/big/phobia.jpg

Needle: www.liquidscape.com/imageassets/atticart/needle.jpg

Fear of flying: www.cnn.com/.../ story.fear.of.flying.jpg

Phobia book: www.thebestmedicalcare.com/humour/ archive1/big/phobia.jpg

Teenagers: http://www.landmark-project.com/citation_machine/cm.php?ctype_get=16

Elevator: www.iowaworkforce.org/ labor/elevator.jpg

Small town: www.perrymcgriff.com/ small-town.jpg

Spiderweb background: www.thispageup.com/ spiderweb.gif