We are delighted to bring you the 15th edition of the DBCC Public Broadcasting/The Daytona Beach News-Journal local history project. We are sure you and your class will agree that Florida Quest is a fun and educational adventure!

PURPOSE

The purpose of Florida Quest is to reinforce skills in reading, writing, research, critical thinking and history. It is most appropriate for students in grades three through six. Florida Quest is a multimedia project that incorporates newspapers and other printed materials, public television and the Internet.

This year Laptop Lauren and the Trackers uncover a time capsule left by young people in the 1940s. The lessons focus on the following aspects of history and historic preservation:

» The important role Central Florida, Volusia County in particular, played during World War II.

» How local economy was affected both during and after the war.

» Different ways locals contributed to the war effort.

» How local war heroes were honored and remembered.

» Connections between present and past, and what has been done to preserve them.

IN SUMMARY:

This year´s Florida Quest project will help future generations understand and appreciate the role of our community during a pivotal time in our nation´s history by showing the impact of World War II on the Central Florida Homefront. It will help give students a better appreciation for, and understanding of, the people of previous generations who served both at home and away.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Prepare yourself for the project by viewing the FOR TEACHERS ONLY portion of the video at your convenience. The project is most successful if spread over a five-week period. This would consist of an introductory week, three weeks for reading the chapters and a concluding week.

Week One: During the introductory week, prepare your class for the project by playing the short, student portion of the video. (Check with your media specialist about obtaining a copy of this video.) Next, read with your students the sections entitled “Meet the Trackers,” “Tips for Completing the Quest” and “Introduction.”

Also during Week One, you may wish to create a Florida Quest corner in your classroom. Display the Meet the Trackers poster, newspaper articles and other resources related to local history and historic preservation. Familiarize yourself with the “Newspaper-Related Activities” found at the back of the book. Encourage students to use the media center and online resources for their research.

Weeks Two-Four: Each chapter (one through three) may take up to one week to complete. Within the text students will be directed when to stop and complete an activity to find the information they seek. Answers to the clues are found using different media sources. It is important that you have these sources at hand before you begin reading each chapter!

» Newspaper clues will appear in Monday editions of The Daytona Beach News-Journal.

» TV clues will be provided both through ITV and DBCC Public Broadcasting Channel 15. Please work with your media specialist to secure an ITV copy or make your own arrangements to videotape the broadcasts on Channel 15 in advance of the Florida Quest start date. Specific dates and broadcast times will follow.

» Internet clues will be available online at the beginning of each week at www.nieworld.com/floridaquest/.

» Classroom clues appear in the storybook.

As students complete each week´s clues, you may sign the appropriate Burger King coupon in the back of their books.

Week Five: Use this week to read the Conclusion and perhaps plan your own time capsule project. At the end of the story there is an opportunity for students to become honorary Trackers, with a certificate for you to sign. The fourth Burger King coupon may then be awarded.

SUNSHINE STATE STANDARDS

Language arts and social studies teachers have taken time to compile a list of the many specific Sunshine State Standards that this curriculum satisfies (click here for the Quest standards).

EXTRA ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES

» Check out the newspaper-related activities listed in this book.

» Be sure to log on to the Florida Quest website at www.nieworld.com/floridaquest/. In addition to the Internet clues, it is filled with information and fun activities for your students.

» Discover other interesting facts as described in the tabloids delivered to each classroom.

» Explore World War II history through the eyes of local residents as they recount their experiences on The Homefront DVD.

» The Florida Heritage Education Program also has many related lesson plans.

Check your media center, or call 800/847-7278 (PAST) for more information.

Florida Quest is designed to be a fun and educational adventure for all!

Special Project: THE FLORIDA QUEST Laptop Lauren and the Trackers are the main characters in the Florida Quest, a 4-week, multi-media project involving thousands of students in Volusia and Flagler counties. In this quest they discover Homefront and Heritage!