The Day You Were Born

Introduction

Everyone knows how old he or she is in years. However, do you know how old you are in days? Do you know what was happening in the world on the day you were born? Who was the president of the United States? How much did it cost to mail a letter? This WebQuest will take you on a journey over the Internet to find the answers to these and many other questions. You are unique and so was the world on the day you were born!

The Task

After becoming acquainted with the basic facts for navigating through this lesson, you will be asked to:

       collect data;

       record your findings on your project sheet;

       reflect with your classmates about what you have learned.

The Process

The following is a list of steps to take to complete the WebQuest.

       You will receive a copy of The Day You Were Born Project Sheet that we will review together before you begin.

       To answer the questions on the project sheet, follow the links to locate the information you need.

OK, it's time to get started. Have fun AND learn something about yourself!!

How Old Are You?

       Click here to find out how old you are in days.

       Use the top three boxes only. For example, if your birthday is April 27, 1985, type 27 in the Day of the Month box, 04 in the Month box and 1985 in the Year box. (Leave the time window blank.)

       Click on the “Show Countdown” button.

       Write down how many days, hours, and minutes old you are on question #1. (The hours and minutes will be approximate since we do not have the exact time you were born.) 

 The Man in the Moon and YOU

       Click here to compare the moon view the day you were born to this website.

        Select the year, day, and month you were born from the drop down menus. Click on the “Get Moon” button.

       Make a simple drawing of the moon displayed on the screen onto your project sheet for #2.

 Famous People

       Do you share a birthday with someone famous? Maybe an author, musician, artist or politician?

       Click here to find out who shares your birth date.

       Select your month and day from the drop down menus under "Search for your Birthday" and click the arrow button. Look in the blue box for people born on your birthday.

       Choose three people and record your findings on #3. If no one shares your exact birth date, choose a date close to your birthday.

What Else is News?

       A new baby is the greatest news a family could have. However, there were other things going on in the world when you were born.

       There is a lot of information on the website you are about to visit that tells what happened the YEAR you were born. 

       Read the info, and enter your birthday. Notice that for this website you need to use the format MM/DD/YYYY--which means if your birthday is February 28, 1989 then you need to enter it as 02/28/1989.  Click on the Quick Page Button.

       You need to find and record on #4:
1. The cost of a postage stamp
2. The President
3. The Vice President
4. Best Picture (Academy Award)
5. Best Actor (Academy Award)
6. Best Actress (Academy Award)

On This Day - NY Times

       Click here, you are doing great!

       You must scroll down to your birth month and then look for your birth date. Click on your date for more events. If no events are listed for your birth date, choose a date close to your birthday.

       Describe two events that occurred on (or close to) your birth date and record them on #5.

 What was in the movies?

       Here's a website about movies.

       Select the year you were born. Then, look on the left hand side of the screen. And click on “top grossing movies.”

       Write down the top three movies for that year on #6.

Your Toys!

       Visit this website to find out about some of your first toys.

       Look through the list to find the first toys you can remember. Answer question #7 on the handout.

Conclusion

After you complete this WebQuest, you will have more experience "surfing" the web. You will also be more knowledgeable about what the world was like on the day you were born. In addition, you will be developing research skills, thinking skills and writing skills.