Night--WWII WebQuest

Introduction
In this WebQuest, you will discover information about WWII. This is important information that will help make Night a more meaningful experience.

World War II was a truly earth shattering event. Much of the information you will read and see today shows that reality. The events you will read about are serious. We must never forget that the statistics we read about the time reflect real people.

Task
By making discoveries of your own, you learn much more than if I stood up and lectured about the same topics. This WebQuest is designed to make the best use of your time while having meaningful education experiences of your own.

All of the searching has been done for you. If you decide to research this topic on your own, you must be very careful to see if you are using valid websites. There are many troubled people out there who either refuse to believe the truth or admire Hitler for what he has done. By narrowing the field, you will not have to worry about the validity of the sites. You will be able to focus on what is important.

As you search through the webpages, videos, and pictures, you will complete the questions on the information you have learned. After you have completed the webquest, you will produce a creative represenatation of what you have learned.

Process
For each of the following sections, visit all of the websites, then complete the questions.
How it began . . .
1. http://fcit.coedu.usf.edu/holocaust/timeline/nazirise.htm
Read the 1923 and 1925 sections of the timeline. What is Mein Kampf and what does it mean? How did the Nazi party gain power in this time?

2.http://atheism.about.com/od/adolfhitlernazigermany/tp/AdolfHitlerChristianValues.htm
Hitler claimed to be Christian (he obviously didn't live up to the standards of true Christianity). Find one of the quotes from Mein Kampf and explain how his claims would have drawn support from everyday Germans.

3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pogrom
Read the beginning of this webpage and the "During the Holocaust" sections. Then click the link for Kristallnacht in the "During the Holocaust" section. What are pogroms? What is Kristallnacht and when did it happen?

4. http://www.historyonthenet.com/WW1/versailles.htm
Review the "Terms of the Treaty of Versailles" section. Why would these major points in the treaty cause German resentment? Which point do you think created the most resentment (a strong dislike of someone that you felt has wronged you)?

5. Do you think a leader like Hitler could come into power today? How would he win popular support, or what would stand in his way?

Propaganda Use
1. http://fcit.coedu.usf.edu/holocaust/arts/ARTPROP.HTM
Describe the emotional impact of these images. Do you think they would be successful in making people distrust Jews?

2. http://www.ushmm.org/outreach/propag.htm
Why would the Nazis not want people to read Hellen Kellar's books?

3. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/propaganda
How is propaganda used today? Are there examples that focus on one group? Why do you think it focuses on that particular group?

Eugenics
1. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eugenics
Rewrite your own definition of Eugenics. How do you think this could lead to racism and antisemitism (racism that is specific to Jews)?

2. http://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/online/deadlymedicine/narrative/index.php?content=biological
Review the "Battle for Births" and "The Mass Sterilization Program" sections. What positive outcomes did Nazi scientist say would come from the use of Eugenics? How did the scientists carry out their purification?

3. http://www.amphilsoc.org/library/exhibits/treasures/aes.htm
How was Eugenics promoted in America? Were you surprised that American scientific theory was so similar to Nazi theories? Why or why not?

4. Are there circumstances where an individual's rights should be violated for the greater good? Are there circumstance where an individual's rights should be upheld no matter the cost? Describe examples of both.

The "Final Solution"
1. http://cghs.dade.k12.fl.us/holocaust/fsolution.htm
Look at the chart at the very bottom of the page. What country had the highest percentage of Jews killed? The least? What were the percentages?

2. http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/media_nm.php?lang=en&ModuleId=10005189&MediaId=3371 This is an animated map. If you have headphones you may watch it. If you do not, read the text in the grey box. What was the first thing that happened to prisoners when they entered Auschwitz? What do you think caused the uprising?

3.http://eeuropeanhistory.suite101.com/article.cfm/victims_of_concentration_camps
Name five groups that were sent to concentration camps or persecuted in other ways by the Nazis. Why do you think these groups were chosen over others?

4. How do you think you would react if someone you knew was sent to a camp? How do you think you would feel?

The Aftermath
1. http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/article.php?lang=en&ModuleId=10005140
What are "crimes against humanity?" Do you think the punishments given were just?

2. Why do you think it has been socially acceptable to persecute, badmouth, or discriminate against Jews through the years (even today--think Cartman on South Park)? What can we do to change this?

Elie Wiesel
1. http://xroads.virginia.edu/~CAP/HOLO/ELIEBIO.HTM
How old was Mr. Wisel when he was sent to Auschwitz? What are some of the honors Mr. Wisel has received?

2. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/09/BAGC2O21IL4.DTL
Why did Eric Hunt attack Elie Wiesel? Why do you think Hunt believes what he does?

3. Why do traumatic events make some people stronger but destroy others?

Creative Interpretation
Now that you have completed the WebQuest, you will create a product from the Product Pouch that reflects your new knowledge.

Pick one of the categories that you've explored. Using the sources I have given you, identify the most important ideas that you should focus on. Think of your product as a way to teach others what you have learned.

You will create a product from the Product Pouch. I do have the right to veto your choice of product.

Evaluation
You will be graded on your WebQuest and product with the following rubric:
WebQuest
4--All questions are thoroughly answered with supporting details.

3--All questions are answered, but some may lack supporting details or thoughtful answers.

2--Not all the questions may be answered.

1--Less than half of the questions are answered.

Use of Time

4--Used time well during each class period with no adult reminders.

3--Used time well during most class periods with no adult reminders.

2--Used time well, but required adult reminders on one or more occasions to do so.

1--Used time poorly in spite of several adult reminders to do so.

Accuracy of Product Information

4--All of the facts in the product are accurate.

3--Many of the facts in the product are accurate.

2--Few of the facts in the product are accurate.

1--None of the facts in the product are accurate.

Completion of Product on Criteria

4--All of the product criteria are fully met.

3--Most of the product criteria are fully met.

2--Some of the product criteria are fully met.

1--None of the product criteria are fully met.

Conclusion

I hope that you have a wider knowledge about WWII and that this helps your understanding and appreciation of Night. Let me know any ideas or suggestions for the next WebQuest we do.

I look forward to seeing your products and seeing what you have learned!

Animal Farm WebQuest

Introduction
Welcome to the Animal Farm WebQuest! Today, we will go through several steps together that will help you better understand the novel and its implications in the world.

Task
A WebQuest is a way to get the best you can out of the internet. All of the searching has been done for you, so you can focus on what is important. You will be explosed to several websites, videos and images about Animal Farm and its historical setting.Using one of the people or events reviewed in the WebQuest, you will then create a creative project to present to your classmates and display in the classroom. This project will pull together the information you have learned from class discussions and the WebQuest.

Process
Review the websites, videos, and pictures under each section. Then answer the questions about the websites. Make sure that your answers are complete and well thought out. Give lots of details!

Tsar Nicholas II
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/nicholas_ii.shtml
http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/historian/hist_figes_04_bread.html


Question: Using what you have read about the Tsar's reign, how would his enemies have used the images in the video against him? Make sure you reference specific details.

Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/lenin_vladimir.shtml
http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/B/bodies/cases/case02.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/marx_karl.shtml

Question: What can we infer about Marx and Lenin from the way they were buried?

Leon Trotsky and Josef Stalin
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/propaganda
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/trotsky_leon.shtml
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:TrotskySlayingtheDragon1918.jpg
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cold.war/kbank/profiles/stalin/
http://www.oph.gov.au/images/petrov/pictures/PTV-i1424_l.jpg
Question: Trotsky and Stalin were both heavy users of propaganda. Describe the emotional impact of these propaganda pictures. What is each trying to get us to believe?

The Pravda
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pravda
Question: How was the Pravda able to help the Communist party keep power? Do newspapers and television news programs show a bias today? In what ways can we tell if a news source is trying to influence our ideas?

The proletariat
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proletariat
http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/proletariat
Question: Communism was designed to give power to the lower classes. Why do you think the proletarians still remained at the bottom even after the revolution? Do you think this class of people will ever be in control? Why or why not?

Cheka/KGB/"Red Terror"
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/archives/secr.html
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/RUSterror.htm
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/RUScheka.htm
Question: Briefly characterize the Checka and the "Red Terror." Are the techniques and actions used by the Cheka ever acceptable? Why or why not? Under what circumstances are they acceptable?

Collectivization and Stalin's Five Year Plans
http://www.ibiblio.org/expo/soviet.exhibit/collect.html
http://www.ibiblio.org/expo/soviet.exhibit/famine.html
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/RUSfive.htm
Question: What are some of the reasons that Stalin's plan failed?

Adolf Hitler & Nazi Germany/Hitler's alliance with Stalin

http://www.johndclare.net/RoadtoWWII8.htm
Question: Describe how Stalin and Hitler are interacting in the cartoons. Was this truly a trusting alliance? Do you think Stalin was surprised when it failed?

Great Purges
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/RUSpurge.htm
http://www.brama.com/ukraine/history/greatpurge/index.html
Question: Why do you think Stalin got rid of so many of his earliest supporters? Why did he execute and exile so many fellow Russians?

Matryoshka Dolls


Now that you have completed the WebQuest, you will put your new knowledge into a physical product. Matryoshka dolls are traditional dolls created in Russia.

Just like in Animal Farm, there are many layers to these dolls. Each carved doll fits inside a larger doll. Only by working through the outer layers can you get to the heart of the matter.

As you read the novel, you will notice similarities between characters and people from history. You will also notice that events from reality are mirrored in the novel. Your Matryoshka doll will help you take a closer look at these similarities.

The first thing you need to do is pick a character or event from the list I'll provide to use as your focus. By now, you should be familiar enough with the history to match it up as we read the novel. However, if you aren't quite sure what matches up with your character or event, we can work together to find the answer.

Your Matryoshka doll will have four layers:

1. Your first layer will include an illustration (or symbolic representation) of the real person or event from history. Make sure you do your best. Don't just slap something on there. It doesn't have to look realistic, but I need to know you put forth effort on this section. After you have completed all the rest of the layers, you will complete a Works Cited page on the back of this layer. You'll need to include all the websites, books, etc. that you used to create your doll.
2. Your second layer will provide the historical background on the person/event. Make sure you include lots of details here!
3. Your third section will include specific, detailed parallels between history and the novel.
4. The last layer will include an illustration of of the animal/event from the novel that the historical figure/event inspired.
   

Evaluation

The following is the rubric I will use to grade your WebQuest handout and Matryoshka doll:

Writing - Grammar

4--There are no grammatical mistakes in the doll.

3--There are no grammatical mistakes in the doll that distract the reader.

2--There are 1-2 grammatical mistakes in the doll that distract the reader.

1--There are several grammatical mistakes in the doll that greatly distract the reader.

Content and References- Accuracy

4--All facts in the doll are accurate and accurately cited.

3--90% of the facts in the doll are accurate and accurately cited.

2--80% of the facts in the doll are accurate but may be missing some citations.

1--Fewer than 80% of the facts in the doll are accurate and are missing most of the citations.

Content - Attractiveness

4--The doll has exceptionally attractive formatting, well-organized information, and the illustration goes well with the topic.

3--The doll has attractive formatting, well-organized information, and a fitting illustration.

2--The doll has well-organized information, but the illustration may not be completely related to the topic. The student rushed through the project.

1--The doll's formatting and organization of material are confusing to the reader, and the illustration is not related to the topic. It looks as if the student did not care how the finished product looked.

Handout

8--The handout is fully completed with a great amount of detail on each question.

6--The handout is fully completed but may have a some questions with few details.

4--The handout may not be fully completed.

2--Less than half of the handout is completed.

Conclusion

I hope that you enjoyed yourself during the WebQuest. You know have a much broader range of knowledge about a hugely important part of history.

I'm looking forward to having a room decorated by your Matryoshka dolls!