Teacher Notes
In the WebQuest A Journey to King Solomon's Temple, students assume the role of a student traveling
in ancient Israel who has come across a group of farmers preparing for a journey to Jerusalem.
Students will write a letter to their family describing what they have experienced. Working
individually, students research daily life in ancient Israel, the preparations required for a
journey to Jerusalem, and the significance of King Solomon and his temple.
When they have completed their letters, students will partner with a classmate and read their letters aloud to each other. Then, students will peer review their partner's paper and give each other feedback. They will express what they liked, how to make the letters more informative and interesting, and will edit the letters to correct any mistakes.
When they have completed their letters, students will partner with a classmate and read their letters aloud to each other. Then, students will peer review their partner's paper and give each other feedback. They will express what they liked, how to make the letters more informative and interesting, and will edit the letters to correct any mistakes.
Students who do exemplary work on this WebQuest will learn about
- daily life in ancient Israel.
- preparations that were necessary for a journey to Jerusalem.
- King Solomon, what he did and why he was so significant.
- the elements of a written letter.
When to use this WebQuest
The WebQuest A Journey to King Solomon's Temple works best as a wrap-up activity to Lesson 2, Chapter 10 "The Hebrew Kingdoms."
Travel Journal Print the travel journal and distribute to students. The questions will guide students' research and encourage them to focus on how to use the information they find in their letter. Advise students to use their worksheet to help complete their letter.
Letters Review the elements of a letter with students. For example, go over the greeting, organization, and closing. Remind them that the letter format is part of what they will be graded on. Explain that letters are less formal than a research paper, but the tone of the letter depends on the relationship of the two people.
Follow-up to the Letters At the end of the WebQuest you may want to conduct a discussion covering these topics:
Travel Journal Print the travel journal and distribute to students. The questions will guide students' research and encourage them to focus on how to use the information they find in their letter. Advise students to use their worksheet to help complete their letter.
Letters Review the elements of a letter with students. For example, go over the greeting, organization, and closing. Remind them that the letter format is part of what they will be graded on. Explain that letters are less formal than a research paper, but the tone of the letter depends on the relationship of the two people.
Follow-up to the Letters At the end of the WebQuest you may want to conduct a discussion covering these topics:
- Why do you think people were so willing to make the difficult pilgrimage to Jerusalem three times each year? Remember, they had to leave their homes, wives, and fields, and they faced injury or death along the way.
- How do you think ancient Israelite women might have felt about not being required (or allowed) to make the pilgrimage?
- What, if anything, would make you willing to take a journey of 100 miles by foot, three times a year?