WebQuest

Teacher Information

This lesson was developed as part of Louisiana Department of Education Content Standards. It is based on the Louisiana Comprehensive Curriculum.

This lesson is focuses on using technology to complete the research process based on a work of literature, "The Diary of Anne Frank". From the research, students must create a composition reflecting the process.

Learners
This lesson is designed for in 8th grade English Language Arts and involves Social Studies to a lesser extent. This lesson can easily be extended to additional grade levels.

Prior to his lesson, student need to be familiar with the use of the computer and the internet. Students must also be familiar with a play format and literary elements and devices.

Standards
English Language Arts Standards Addressed

Content Standards

•   Standard 1
     Students read, comprehend, and respond to a range of materials, using a variety of strategies for different          purposes.
•   Standard 2
     Students write competently for a variety of purposes and audiences.
•   Standard 6
     Students read, analyze, and respond to literature as a record of life experiences.
•   Standard 7
     Students apply reasoning and problem solving skills to reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing, and visually         representing.

Benchmarks

•   ELA-1-M2
     analyzing literary devices (e.g., figurative language, flashback, foreshadowing, dialogue) and story elements (e.g.,    setting, plot, character, theme, mood) within a selection;   (1,4)
•   ELA-1-M3
     reading, comprehending, and responding to written, spoken, and visual texts in extended passages;   (1,4)
•   ELA-1-M4
     interpreting texts with supportive explanations to generate connections to real-life situations and other texts (e.g., business, technical, scientific);   (1,3,4)
•   ELA-1-M5
     using purposes for reading (e.g., enjoying, learning, researching, problem solving) to achieve a variety of objectives.            (1,2,4,5)
•   ELA-1-M1
     using knowledge of word meaning and developing basic and technical vocabulary using various strategies (e.g., context clues, affixes, etymology, dictionary);   (1,2,4,5)
•   ELA-2-M2
     using language, concepts, and ideas that show an awareness of the intended audience and/or purpose (e.g., classroom, real-life, workplace) in developing complex compositions;   (1,2,4)
•   ELA-2-M5
     recognizing and applying literary devices (e.g., figurative language, symbolism, dialogue);   (1,4)
•   ELA-2-M6
     writing as a response to texts and life experiences (e.g., letters, journals, lists).   (1,2,4)
•   ELA-6-M2
     identifying, comparing, and responding to a variety of classic and contemporary literature from many genres (e.g., folktales, legends, myths, biography, autobiography, poetry, fiction, nonfiction, novels, drama);   (1,2,4,5)
•   ELA-6-M3
     classifying various genres according to their unique characteristics.   (1,2,4,5)
•   ELA-7-M1
     using comprehension strategies (e.g., sequencing, predicting, drawing conclusions, comparing and contrasting, making inferences, determining main ideas, summarizing, recognizing literary devices, paraphrasing) in contexts;   (1,2,4)
•   ELA-7-M2
     problem solving by using reasoning skills, life experiences, accumulated knowledge, and relevant available information;   (1,2,4)
•   ELA-7-M3
     analyzing the effects of an author's purpose and point of view;   (1,2,4)

Grade-Level Expectations (GLEs)
Grade 8

1. Develop vocabulary using a variety of strategies, including:
(ELA-1-M1)
2. Interpret story elements, including:
(ELA-1-M2)
3. Interpret literary devices, including:
(ELA-1-M2)
7. Compare and contrast elements (e.g., plot, setting, character, theme) in multiple genres
(ELA-6-M2)
8. Use knowledge of the distinctive characteristics to classify and explain then significance of various genres, including:
(ELA-6-M3)
9. Demonstrate understanding of information in grade-appropriate texts using a variety of strategies, including:
(ELA-7-M1)
10. Explain the relationship between life experiences and texts to generate solutions to problems
(ELA-7-M2)
11. Use technical information and other available resources (e.g., Web sites, interviews) to solve problems
(ELA-7-M2)
12. Evaluate the effectiveness of an author’s purpose
(ELA-7-M3)
21. Develop writing using a variety of literary devices, including understatements and allusions
(ELA-2-M5)
22. Write for a wide variety of purposes, including:
(ELA-2-M6)

In this lesson, students also gain teamwork skills by working in cooperative groups. Students must think critically to give a rational explanation. They must also create a composition to back up the evidence researched