This lesson was developed as part of Missouri's eMINTS Project (enhancing Missouri's Instructional Networked Teaching Strategies). Students will learn how to write a persuasive business letter. Four different researchers will analyze, synthesize, evaluate and collaborate in order to support the pros and/or cons of their decision. 

Learners
This lesson is anchored in the fourth grade language arts and involves science.  The concept learned is to find information through research, then analyze and synthesize the information into a business consultation-letter explaining the facts found during the research.  Collaboration and team work are necessary to get this project completed. The lesson can easily be extended to 5, 6 or higher grades, depending on what the teacher would like to do with the project.

Prior to using this WebQuest, students should be familiar with researching techniques, the food web, and use of Word or some other word processing software, cooperative work, collaborating ideas, compromising, and categorizing.  Students either should be familiar with or taught how to write persuasively and know how to include supporting details.

During the WebQuest, the teacher will need to provide instruction as to how to write a business letter.

Standards

Communication Arts
In Communication Arts, students in Missouri public schools will acquire a solid foundation which includes knowledge of and proficiency in

1. speaking and writing standard English (including grammar, usage, punctuation, spelling, capitalization)

6. participating in formal and informal presentations and discussions of issues      and ideas

Science
In Science, students in Missouri public schools will acquire a solid foundation which includes knowledge of
4. changes in ecosystems and interactions of organisms with their environments
8. impact of science, technology and human activity on resources and the environment

GOAL 1: Students in Missouri public schools will acquire the knowledge and skills to gather, analyze and apply information and ideas.
Students will demonstrate within and integrate across all content areas the ability to
1. develop questions and ideas to initiate and refine research
2. conduct research to answer questions and evaluate information and ideas
4. use technological tools and other resources to locate, select and organize information
6. discover and evaluate patterns and relationships in information, ideas and structures
10. apply acquired information, ideas, and skills to different contexts as students,
workers, citizens and consumers.


GOAL 2: Students in Missouri public schools will acquire the knowledge and skills to communicate effectively within and beyond the classroom.
Students will demonstrate within and integrate across all content areas the ability to
1. plan and make written, oral and visual presentations for a variety of purposes and
audiences.
3. exchange information, questions and ideas while recognizing the perspectives of others

GOAL 3: Students in Missouri public schools will acquire the knowledge and skills to recognize and solve problems.
Students will demonstrate within and integrate across all content areas the ability to
5. reason inductively from a set of specific facts and deductively from general premises
6. examine problems and proposed solutions from multiple perspectives


GOAL 4: Students in Missouri public schools will acquire the knowledge and skills to make decisions and act as responsible members of society.
Students will demonstrate within and integrate across all content areas the ability to
1. explain reasoning and identify information used to support decisions