Creating Class Webs:
A Tutorial for Teachers and Preservice Teachers

Introduction

Class Webs
Audience
Purpose

Web Examples
Classroom Webs
Hot Lists
Information Webs
Cyber Lessons
WebQuests

Planning Class Webs
What to Include
Finding Resources
Creating Resources
Organizing Content

Creating Class Webs
Layout
Navigation
Creating Templates
FP2000 Tutorial
HTML Tutorial

Class Web Rubric

Resources

Contacts

Web Examples

Classroom Webs | Hot Lists | Information Webs | Cyber Lessons | WebQuests

Classroom Webs
Class pages may contain classroom information, assignments, calendars, class schedules, spelling lists, vocabulary lists, curriculum information, student projects, online activities, newsletters, policies, articles, various forms to be printed out, favorite links, philosophies, and/or collaborative projects.

Examples:

• Ms. Ross's First Grade Class

• Mrs. Bogucki's Third Grade

• Mr. Alfano's Classroom (Middle School Science)

• Cafe Mecca (8th Grade Language Arts)

• Mr. Warner's Cool Science Page (Middle School Science)

• Outta Ray's Head (High School English)

• Senora Sheehan's Home Page (High School Spanish)

• Dr. Thomas Armstrong (Upper Level)

• Wayne A. Selcher (Upper Level)

Hot Lists  
Basically "hot lists" are lists or collections of  links to pre-selected web resources. A collection of web links or a "hot list" can provide resources to support and enhance the curriculum. It can even be geared to specific lessons. The list will save students (and others) time surfing and typing in cumbersome URL's. Include the title of the web site, and the URL. Making the title the hyperlink is an effective practice. A brief description of the resource may also be helpful. 

Examples:

• Barrett Elementary Computer Lab Resources
• Mrs. Attaya's Toybox
• Our Favorite Authors
• Connecting Students
• Social Issues
• International Affairs Resources
• Hot Paper Topics
• Hot List on Protecting the Environment
• Holocaust Resources
• China on the Net
• NECEdLinks

Information Webs
Informational webs are content rich webs. They may contain articles, research reports, primary sources, and/or other content related to specific topics. Teachers can tailor the content on web pages to conform to the curriculum, and research abilities or developmental levels of their students. Include bibliographies or works cited when appropriate.

Examples

• Biomes and Ecosystems
• Monica the Monarch
• Habitats
• Biome Basics
• 20th Century Heroes and Villains
• Famous Trials
• Odyssey Online
• Teaching and Learning about Japan
• American Revolution

Cyber Lessons
A cyber lesson is a lesson that directs students to  specific locations on the web to locate information or complete tasks. It may be set up like  a "treasure hunt" that utilizes a "hot list" of web resources. Students answer questions pertaining to sites they visit. Visit the Digital Classroom on the NARA site for some examples. Also, the New York Times Learning Network has some nice "cyber lessons" that can be tailored to the curriculum.

 Examples:

• Martin Luther King Scavenger Hunt
• Way Cool Science Scavenger Hunt
• Exploring Hunger
• Death Be Not Proud

WebQuests
WebQuests are inquiry oriented activities. Most of the information comes from the web and the purpose is to get students to use information rather than look for it. WebQuests support higher level thinking skills. They also follow a format. Take a look at Bernie Dodge's Road Map for Designing a WebQuest. There is a  Matrix of Examples of sample WebQuests for various grade levels.

The Teacher'sFirst web site also as a WebQuest Tutorial.

Examples:

• Kid Power! An Environmental WebQuest
• Travel to Oriland
• Holocaust: A Tragic Legacy
• Eye on the Candidates

Other WebQuest Resources:

1. WebQuest Training Materials
2. Learning with the World
3. Why WebQuests

TOP

Introduction | Class Webs | Web Examples | Planning Webs | Creating Webs | Web Rubric | Resources

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© Joel Black 2001