Coal Mining Tour

Introduction

Task

Process

Evaluation

Conclusion

Teacher Notes

Introduction

Have you ever wondered who tried to light a rock to see if it would burn? Have you ever wondered where coal comes from or how they get it out of the ground? In 1673 coal was discovered in Illinois but before that the Hopi Indians used it to bake pottery as long ago as 1000 AD. Coal has been used for a very long time as a source of energy. As technology advanced, however, the use of coal as a source of energy became very important. Several inventions played a critical role in making way for the industrial revolution. Coal presently accounts for 55 percent of the electricity generated in the United States. So where does coal come from? Get ready because you are going to get the opportunity to view an underground coal mine and learn how coal was formed.

Let’s go to the Task.

Task
  • The task of this web quest is to go through the virtual underground deep mine and research the Illinois coal facts page. There you will learn the different types of deep coal mining and some very important facts about coal. You will also take a trip with Lumpy the coal miner and do a puzzle page. You will collect information from these sites as you go along to create your multi-media scrapbook.
  • You will create a multi-media scrapbook using PowerPoint.
  • Your final activity will be to attend the Coal Fair.

Let’s go to the Process

Process

 

The process to complete this web quest is as follows:

  1. You must go to the internet to view an underground mine. So let’s hop on the train and get started.
  2. (click on the coal train)
  3. Illinois Fact Sheet (click on the coal train)

  4. Next, take a tour with Lumpy the Coal Miner to learn how coal was formed and mined.

    5. (click on the coal miner)

  5. The next activity will be to do the puzzle pictures at the online site.

    6. All information you learn will be put in you scrapbook. After viewing the underground mine and working the activities, you will begin to collect information about how coal was formed and mined. You will also need to save pictures from the web to your folder.(Made before you start)

  6. You will start a PowerPoint document (with the help of the teacher) here you will place your pictures and enter the information and facts about each type of mining. Your scrapbook must contain a minimum of 5 pages/slides but not more than 10. Your scrapbook will be created and presented using PowerPoint. You must show the 2 kinds of underground mining that you have viewed during your tour. Graphics are a must (one per slide) and must relate to the material on each slide. You must also include at least 3 fascinating facts about coal that you have learned. You will be able to view the different types of underground mining and some to the machines used to mine one of Illinois greatest resources, COAL.

The rubric will help you know what is expected of you. View evaluation.

Evaluation

You will be evaluated on the oral presentation, organization, content, presentation, and mechanics. View evaluation.

 

 

 

Conclusion

 

This web quest allows you to view a virtual tour to an underground mine and surface mine. You were also able to read some amazing facts about coal and develop an understanding of where coal comes from and how it is mined. Lumpy the coal miner took you on a tour of the whole process from how coal was formed to how it is mined and used for energy.

What a trip!!! Now you will present what you’ve learned to the rest of the class with your presentation.

Have a great time at the coal fair!

Teacher             Notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

This web quest aligns with these Illinois Learning Standards.

Language Arts 4.A.2c.

Science 13.A.2a.

For more information on coal and mining you can contact:

Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, Office of Coal Development and Marketing, 325 w. Adams St., Room 300, Springfield, IL 62704-1892.

Additional web sites: http://www.coaleducation.org/

http://www.ilcommerce.com/menus/coalcool.htm

http://coaleducatio/glossary.htm

http://www.usbm.gov/doe/coalcnty.htm

Grade level for this web quest is 4-8.

*Disclaimer- The author is only responsible for this specific page.

Send any questions or comments to jharlan@roe25.com