WebQuest

A WebQuest for 6th Grade Health and Fitness

Laurie Vineberg
Lauren Walsh
Jaclyn Saks
Steve Santella

lauren.walsh@mail.mcgill.ca
steven.santella@mail.mcgill.ca
laurie.vineberg@mail.mcgill.ca
jaclyn.saks@mail.mcgill.ca

Introduction

Sam is 4"8 and weighs 130 pounds. He is on the verge of obesity and is looking for a way to lose weight. He has decided that it is time to change his sedentary lifestyle to a more healthy and active lifestyle. There are so many fad diets that are being advertised that he is overwhelmed with the options and does not know which one to turn to for help. He is searching for the perfect combination of exercise and healthy food that will be easy to maintain over the long term.

As experts in this field, you are to conduct research on the Internet on the many different diets and exercise programs that are being advertised. With this information you will combine different aspects of each and maybe even come up with your own ideas that will help Sam lose some weight. This program should run over six months time. Good Luck!

The Task

Take a look at the suggested resources and research all the different types of diets and exercise programs. Become familiar with the information you obtain, put youtself in Sam's position and answer the following questions:

1. Which diet plan will I stick to?
2. Which diet plan gives me a balance between all the neccessary food goups?
3. Which exercise plan fits into my schedule of going to school five days a week from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM and my extra curricular activities on Monday Wednesday Friday from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM?
4. Which exercise plan provides me with a heathy balance between cardiovascular training and weight training?
5. Which exercise plan is fun and motivating and one that I won't get bored with after one month?

The Process

In order to complete this task each person in your group must research a different topic. There are five roles you must divide yourselves into, they are the following:
1. Schedule Master: This student will research how many hours of cardio and strength training are neccessary to lose weight efficiently. They will make suggestions (based on their research) of activities that can fit into Sam's schedule and be fun at the same time. Visit these websites for more information:
http://www.trim-kids.com/exercise.html

http://www.timeforfitness.com/exercise/children.htm

2. Fun Master: This job includes making sure that there is a variety of new and exciting exercise activities to chose from. Don't forget, Sam is a kid just like you and he needs to be motivated at all times! Here are some sites you can take a look at:

http://www.kidseatgreat.com/content/view/2/25/
http://www.trim-kids.com/exercise.html

3. Cardio Master: Your job is to monitor the amount of cardio Sam endures on a regular basis. You must research how much cardio he needs and find activites that include a lot of running, jumping and skipping. You also must find research on why cardio is s important and be able to explain to Sam why it is so beneficial. Here are some good resources:
http://mediresource.sympatico.ca/calculator.asp?which=cobesity_exercise
http://www.timeforfitness.com/exercise/children.htm

4. Food Master: This person must research all the different diets out there are come up with the most suitable one for Sam. Check out the food pyramid http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/food/pyramid.html
and research what types of food Sam should have and how much of each type of food. Here are some website you should look at:
http://www.the-atkins-diet.info/
http://www.southbeach-diet-plan.com/
http://www.zonediet.com/free/default.aspx

Now that you have all your information it is time to get together and organize all your reserach. Work together as a team and make a concept map of all your information. Once you have done this, form a schedule for Sam over a period of six months. Make sure that everything balances out between the food groups, the cardio and fun factor. List the websites you used and write an explanation of why your program is the best for Sam.

Evaluation

Describe to the learners how their performance will be evaluated. Specify whether there will be a common grade for group work vs. individual grades.

Beginning

1

Developing

2

Accomplished

3

Exemplary

4

Score

Students identify possibly why Sam is over-weight and why it is important to lead a healthy lifestyle.
(Overall Comprehension)

Students show comprehension of the concept but are just beginning to develop their understanding Students are on the right track but need to further develop their argument. Students develop an understanding of why and how Sam can lead a healthy lifestyle. Students develop and show a detailed understanding of why it is important for Sam to exercise and lead a healthy lifestyle.

Students accurately develop an exercise regime and time period necessary to achieve weight loss.

(Schedule Master)

Students show comprehension of the concept but are just beginning to develop their understanding Students are on the right track but need to further develop their argument. Students develop an understanding of which exercise regime and an appropriate time period necessary for Sam to lose weight. Students develop an understanding of which exercise regime and an appropriate time period necessary for Sam to lose weight.

Students are able to develop a variety of activities for Sam to partake in. (Including sports etc…)

(Fun Master)

Students show comprehension of the concept but are just beginning to develop their understanding. Students are on the right track but need to further develop their ideas, being more original and creative. Students develop an understanding of why it is important for Sam to have a variety of activities using their imagination and originality. Students develop and show a detailed understanding of why it is important for Sam to have a variety of activities using their imagination and originality.

Students are able to explain the amount of time and the sorts of cardiovascular activities that will be beneficial to Sam’s health and weight loss program.

(Cardio Master)
Students show comprehension of the concept but are just beginning to develop their understanding. Students are on the right track but need to further develop their argument. Students develop an understanding of which cardiovascular regime and an appropriate time period necessary for Sam to lose weight. Students develop and show a detailed understanding of an exercise regime and an appropriate time period necessary for Sam to lose weight.

Students are able to develop a variety of foods that will help Sam lose weight as well as an appropriate diet, according to Sam’s needs.

(Food Master)

Students show comprehension of the concept but are just beginning to develop their understanding. Students are on the right track but need to further develop their ideas, being more original and creative. Students develop an understanding of why it is important for Sam to have a variety of foods and diets using their imagination and originality Students develop and show a detailed understanding of why it is important for Sam to have a variety of foods and diets using their imagination and originality.

Conclusion

Now that you have done your research and know more about dieting and working out, you can make better decisions for your own lifestyle. Being healthy is extremely important and you should never neglect your health. This information is not restricted only to those with weight problems. It should serve as a guide to a healthy lifestyle for everyone.

Credits & References

www.yahoo.com/images
www.google.com

Last updated on August 15, 1999. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page