Introduction

In the book, Watermelon Day by Kathi Appelt, young Jesse must endure waiting all summer for her watermelon to grow.  Her father says that her watermelon will be a big one,  just in time for Watermelon Day.  Your quest is to discover many juicy facts about the watermelon. Then make a decision about whether a watermelon is a fruit or vegetable.

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The Task

 Jesse was a young farmer who anticipated the growth of her watermelon.  As potential farmers it will be your task to do the following:
 

• Begin a K-W-L chart with your teacher
• Participate in group discussions
• Observe watermelon plants
• Record findings
• Discover the facts about the watermelon 
• Visit pre-selected websites
• Create your own watermelon
• Compose a rhyme
• Solve watermelon problem scenarios
• Design a poster promoting watermelon

 
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Resources
     Watermelon Day by Kathi Appelt

      Anansi and the Talking Melon retold by Eric Kimmel

     Chestnut Cove by Tim Egan

     The Mailbox 

     http://www.watermelon.org/
 
 
 
 

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The Process

In small groups, follow these steps to complete your quest.

     1. Reread Watermelon Day 
 
 

     2. Make 2 charts like the one below to sequence the events in the two 
        stories.

     3. Visit the website about how to grow a watermelon.

     4. Draw and write about your observations. 

     5. Now you need to research more information about the watermelon.
         Click on the watermelon. Write five facts about the watermelon.

     6. Visit the kids' page and  have fun learning about the watermelon. 
         Check out the video clip and see how watermelons get to the store.
         Write or draw about one activity that you liked the best.

     7. Now you will create an edible watermelon by following the recipe.
         Click the word recipe.
 

     8. Look at the example of a rhyme and then create your own.

     9. You are a "super"  problem-solver.  Your job is to select a problem 
         from the melon patch each day  and think of two different ways to
         solve it.  Click "Mr. Melon".

    10. Your quest is almost over!  Design a poster about a make-believe 
          watermelon  telling  two facts about itself.
 
 

Evaluation
      Your work will be checked in two ways:
     1.  A "Group"  Score Sheet
     2.  A "Teacher" Rubric

     Circle Yes or No

            Group Score Sheet                                          Name:

I helped my group.	Yes	No
I listened to my group ideas.	Yes	No
I did my best	Yes	No

            Teacher's Rubric

Group Names:	5 points	3 points	1 points
Participation	Participated in all activities.	Participated in most activities.	Showed no cooperation in the group.
Product Completion	Poster  shows creativity and well written facts.	Poster shows little knowledge about the melon.	Partial requirements completed.
Thinking Process	Stayed on task and verbalized what was learned.	Stayed  on task	Very little time on task.
Writing Process	Completed all  requirements using clear and complete sentences.	Completed written activities	Completed some of the written activities.

Scores:  0-5  points- Attempted
              5-10 ponts-  Acceptable
             10-15 points- Accomplished 
             15-20 points- Excellent Work

ReflectionClick and Print
 

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Conclusion
Fantastic! Little Farmers, you have finished your quest and now you are experts on growing watermelons.

Now is a watermelon a fruit or vegetable?

Your prize for a job  done is a nice big juicy slice of watermelon.  Enjoy!

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Credits & References
Thank you to the following:
  Watermelon Day by Kathi Appelt

  Anansi and the Talking Melon retold by Eric Kimmel

  Chestnut Cove by Tim Egan

Websites:
http://www.egroups.com/files/NCTATech2a/Inborden+Elementary+School/webquest/www.mailbox.com
http://www.egroups.com/files/NCTATech2a/Inborden+Elementary+School/webquest/www.watermelon.org
www.geocities.com/Athens/Aegean/2221/melon.html
www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/8186/watermelon.html
 

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