| English & Language Arts - high |
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"A modern myth, a cautionary fable, an enduring legend, Frankenstein has been translated into the world's many languages, transformed on the stage, and transmuted into film. What does this story "say" about us? What do we "say" about this story?"
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"Mass killings and genocides have occurred in numerous places in the world in the last century. Each time, humanity cries out, "Never Again!" Yet you can see evidence that it continues to occur. What is it in our consciousness that allows us to treat other human beings so inhumanely? The most recent cases of genocide are occurring right now or leading toward erruption. Thus bringing us to cry out, "Never Again! - Again?""
Involvement in domestic affairs of others is risky business. But how far should we let violence advance until we say, "STOP THE KILLING!" How much do we value humanity and ourselves as human beings? How much are we willing to risk to save the lives of others?
Question: What can we do to prevent and stop mass killings in our world?
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"Prometheus and Gaea have begun the new age of reasoning. As their children, you have the task of designing the new world order. It is up to you to create the Utopian Society." - Based on the work of Ayn Rand
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"Many professional sports teams have Native American mascots and names. Atlanta Braves, Washington Redskins, Cleveland Indians, etc. In our own state, Oklahoma, many schools also have Native American names and mascots. Catoosa Indians, Union Redskins, Glenpool Warriors, to name a few. The same is true with schools all across our country."
"You are a student at Broken Drum High School, home of the three-years-running undefeated BDHS Savages football team. Lately, the school has come under criticism for its team's name and mascot, Chief Eagle Feather. The four-member school board is considering changing the team's name, but several members of the community are in favor of keeping it. They say it's been a tradition for 70 years. Critics of the mascot say it mocks Native American sacred religious traditions."
Question: Where do you stand? Is this a case of modern day racism, or political correctness run amok?
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"We can learn so much from the lives of others. We learn from their trials and tribulations; their successes and their their failures; their philosophies and ideas; and yes, even from their mistakes. Every once in a while, though, there comes along a person who, without even trying, teaches generation after generation the true meaning of humility, strength, perseverence, and integrity. John Merrick is, without a doubt, one such person."
Question: What can we as fellow human beings learn from John Merrick? His life? His condition? His character?
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"What is absurd?
Discover the historical and cultural origins of Absurdity as a philosophical and creative force.
Learn to appreciate Absurdity as it impacts your life and the world around you.
Make Meaning from Meaninglessness and become a better person for it.
Expand your sense of humor through immersion in the Absurd."
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"Your team will be exploring India's caste system, the civil rights movement, and the equal rights movement, then putting it all against the backdrop of Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird."
Question: How is the Dalits' plight in India like the struggle for equality fought by blacks and women in the United States?
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"Your task in this to engage society in a dialogue to eliminate hatred and bigotry, to foster understanding and tolerance and to bring peace to our world."
Question: How can we make the world safe for our children?
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"Arthur Miller's The Crucible shows many innocent people being accused of crimes/sins they did not commit. Throughout history, society has been blinded to similar occurrences, or "witch hunts." Indeed, Miller wrote The Crucible in response to one of those "witch hunts" that took place in his time period--McCarthyism."
"Your job, in a group of 3 (or 4) students, is to research the background of the Salem Witch Trials, McCarthyism, and other "witch hunts" throughout history to find their causes, evaluate their consequences, and develop a solution that would help avoid and/or prevent such "witch hunts" in the future."
Question: What should be done to keep the innocent from being accused and presumed guilty?
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"You are the president of a fan club for your favorite author. Eager for literary discussion and insights into your author's works, you set up a mailing list and wait patiently for the flood of subscribers. After a week one member signs up. His first message asks the question, "What books did this author write?" This is not exactly the kind of literary discussion you had in mind. You decide to create some promotional materials to target the right audience for your fan club."
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"Now that we have finished reading The Crucible, you are going to have a chance to examine some other instances where mass hysteria has ruined people's lives and compare them to the tragedy in Salem. For this webquest, you will be a journalist working to expose injustices caused by mass hysteria. Through accessing primary and secondary sources and talking to experts, you will use the webquest to find and compare the causes and effects of The Salem Witch Trials, the internment of Japanese-Americans during WWII, the McCarthy Hearings, and the Robert Roberson child abuse case."
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What is the real story behind all those 10 - 10 numbers we see advertised on TV? Do they really "save at least a buck or two"? How should your family handle their long distance phone calls? In this webquest, you will learn how to use systems of linear equation to decide whether those 10 - 10 numbers really save money. You will compare the rates of 10 - 10 numbers to the rates of regular long distance carriers."
"The project will be conducted individually. You will be given two days to conduct your research and write your essay based on your analysis. Using your research on 10 - 10 numbers and regular long distance plans, you will develop equations, graph these equations and use this information to answer questions in a persuasive essay. The essay should state how your family should handle their long distance. You will need to back up your decision with your research and analysis."
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"True love. Burning jealousy. Betrayal. Murder most foul. Sounds like the evening news, right? But these experiences are nothing new. Human nature remains the same throughout time - since before people could even write about it. All these emotions were recorded by one of the best authors to write in the English language: William Shakespeare. For some people, however, Shakespeare is a chore to read. They have difficulty understanding the Old English style that was used in his time, or they don't think his work is relevant to today. It will be your job to prove these doubters wrong! Show them that Shakespeare's stories can be transferred to almost any time period, including the Wild West, Mob-ridden Chicago, 50s Suburbia, and the 1960 Counterculture."
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You are a teenager living in the United States during World War II. You read the newspapers and hear the radio broadcasts, but it is hard to make sense of this war that involves so many countries and people. This webquest will take you back to the Home Front of the 1940's to learn what it was like to grow up during this turbulent time. As a group you're going to explore the topic of A Separate Peace.
What would it have been like to have been a teenager during World War II? How would teenagers of today deal with the conflicts of war and friendship?
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Since its publication in 1899, Heart of Darkness has been one of the most widely read books written in English. It has also been one of the most analyzed: scores of literary critics, ranging from feminists to Marxists to New Critics, have all tried to construct their own meanings from the pages of the book.
After reading Heart of Darkness, you may feel that the meaning of the story is very hazy. How do you go about making sense of a story as obscure as Heart of Darkness?
This WebQuest may be of some help. It will help you learn just how some critics have come up with their interpretations of Heart of Darkness and encourage you to develop your own critical stance on the book. You must read passages as a psychoanalytical, post-colonial, reader response, deconstructionist, or feminist critic. On your journey toward meaning, you will follow Marlow up the Congo River, shedding light on the heart of darkness as you proceed, finally arriving at a better understanding of this evasive book.
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"The famous director, Alfred H. Fullofhimself has just finished reading the short story The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Upon finishing, Alfred immediately wanted to direct a film based on the story, but he is hung up on its point-of-view. He mumbled something like, "Very claustrophobic, not good for a screenplay... needs more action...". You can see his point, the main character is isolated in the room with the yellow wallpaper for most of the story, not exactly a suitable setting for a full length feature film. The idea of writing the story from another point of view is intriguing..."
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"When Juliet met Romeo, she was already under consideration as a bride. Despite the fact that she was only 13 years old, her father was already planning her marriage. The customs of Renaissance Italy were very different from today's American customs. Your task will be to find out how the rest of the world feels about the traditions of courtship and marriage."
Question: How do marriage customs define the role of a woman within a culture?
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"Monsters have haunted the literary imagination from the earliest times, but a particular interest in horror and the Gothic form dates back to the 18th and early 19th century. At least one writer in the Gothic tradition continues to terrify readers even today: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, who at the age of 18 published the classic horror story, Frankenstein, in 1818. Come explore this interesting literary genre."
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"You have entered a special undergraduate program in American Literature at a prestigious liberal arts college as a promising freshman. The focus of the elite program is self-directed learning about selected American authors. The author is placed in a historical context, and the author's work is classified either by genre or purpose. Students will be expected to produce an essay individually, and an oral presentation as part of a group. This semester freshmen in the program will explore Jack London, the man, his diverse work and its impact."
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"Imagine that you are a playwright and have just been approached by a wealthy man who wishes to sponsor a group of playwrights to rewrite a classic tale in a more modern setting. The tale must include love, revenge, and betrayal. You batted around a number of ideas, but none of them fit the bill. Some had already been done before, others wouldn't translate well, but then someone mentioned Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights. A hush comes over the group as you consider this idea. The more you think about it the more you like the idea. It has all of those elements and character that will be interesting in any period!"
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"Welcome to the world of Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird. You are living in the 1930s. Your home, neighborhood, school, activities, clothes and social interactions are vastly different than anything you are familiar with in the 1990s. This WebQuest will take you back in time to learn what your life is like as a young person growing up in the 30s. Using what you learn, write a series of pen pal letters to someone living in 1998."
Question: What was life like for a young person growing up in the 30s?
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