a high school language arts WebQuest
written by Mrs. Jodie Donner
Introduction Task Process Resources Evaluation Conclusion Reflection Extension Teacher Notes Introduction
Did you hear about the businessman who woke up in a motel room after having had his kidney stolen? Or did you hear about the woman who didn't know a killer was hiding in the back seat of her car? She wasn't cautious and lost her life because of it.
Can you believe everything you hear? Can you believe what you read? Should you trust every forwarded e-mail that lands in your inbox? There are so many stories floating around out there that it becomes a task to figure out what is real and what is an urban legend. Luckily, you and your group members are about to become urban legend experts.
You will create a fact-finding team and research the available resources online and read about urban legends. You will find out about the history of these myths, how they spread and why they continue to spread. In addition, you will read about the impact technology has had on this phenomenon. After your research, you will be able to identify a false story and work to conquer the misinformation. You will then communicate your knowledge to those poor souls who don't critically evaluate the stories they hear. By educating others through a PowerPoint presentation, you will help your classmates, friends and family members to learn to question information to find the truth!
1. Assign positions within your fact-finding team.
All positions must be filled so you may work together to finish your task.
Project Manager - keeps the group on-task, deals with any problems that arise amongst group members, keeps the process and final goals in mind throughout the research.
Fact Organizer - organizes all printed, written research and documents produced by the team. This person must effectively keep track of all information because the final components are based on this.
Expert Writer - writes all group information.
Technology Expert - this valuable member will assist all in the researching process and will create your final presentation and sub components with input from the other team members.
2. After you assign roles, the project manager must help the group start the search for truth! Work together to complete the following items. Use the links below a specific task to direct your work. Remember, there may be additional links in the sites below. You may find more research by following these links. Branch out and discover as much as you can about urban legends. Complete each of the following pieces and include this information in your final assignments.
Research urban legends online
Snopes - Urban Legends Reference Pages
Discover what urban legends are and how they spread
Discover the purpose of having urban legends
Determine what impact e-mail and the Internet have had on legends
Discover how to determine if a story is an urban legend
Truth About Computer Virus Myths & Hoaxes
Decide upon one favorite common urban legend to include in your findings
Use any from your research of the previous links.
Find at least 2 urban legends that have spread through e-mail or the Internet
Research how to combat urban legends on the 'net
As a group, write your own (creative and original) legend that follows the typical pattern
No Links Here! Use your imagination and knowledge about the normal urban legend pattern. Write a legend that is about one typed page in length. Write more if you need to.
As a group, answer the question, "Are urban legends a significant part of our culture? Of our literature? Why?" Type an essay (1-2 pages) answering these questions and adding your knowledge of urban legends. Use research from the following sites. Reference any information you borrow by giving credit to the speaker and site where you found the information. Include a works cited page with your essay.
3. After you have completed all parts of step number 2, create your presentation. This is your chance to share the truth with others. Use PowerPoint to develop an effective presentation that includes your final findings and conclusions. Pretend you are presenting the information to people who have no idea what urban legends are. Include all of your findings from the entire research process you have followed in the WebQuest. Review The Task portion of the assignment when considering what to include in the presentation. Be creative and thorough.
View the rubric for the PowerPoint.
View the rubric for the Process.
Assignment Review!! What to do.
Each group will complete 3 assignments together:1. Original urban legend
2. Essay on the significance of urban legends
3. PowerPoint presentationEach individual will complete 1 assignment in addition to the group assignments:
1. Reflection paper
- Evaluation
Your group's work will be evaluated using specific rubrics.
Click here to see the Process rubric.
Click here to see the presentation/product rubric.
Click here to see the rubric for the written products (original urban legend and final essay)
Urban legends have existed for many years. These myths have lasted through time and experienced more attention through the changes in technology. The information age has helped the Internet act as a medium for false stories. They are forwarded to many people, read, believed and passed on. Stories such as these are part of our culture.
Through this assignment, I hope you have learned about the history of these types of stories, their purpose for being created and believed and the normal pattern for the urban legend. In addition, I hope you realize the significance of legends and will make it your personal missions to spread not the false stories but the TRUTH!
Read "The Mother of All Urban Legends" for a good laugh.
Each group member must complete the reflection component. This part of the assignment is a separate grade and is not figured into your team's overall project grade.
Write a one-page (typed, double-spaced) reflection. Think about what you learned from the assignment. The following questions may direct your writing:
- What did you find out that you didn't know before the assignment?
- How important are urban legends in teenage society?
- How important are urban legends in adult society?
- Do you think urban legends are harmless?
- Are urban legends entertaining?
- Will urban legends continue to thrive and spread? Why?
- What did you like about the Internet-based assignment?
- Would you prefer webquests instead of normal assignments?
- How well did your group members work?
- Were you an effective team member? Explain why or why not.
- How would you describe this project to someone outside of school?
- What did you gain from the experience (think about computer skills, knowledge, etc.) Be specific.
I challenge you to take your findings to other classes. Present your PowerPoint presentation to students who may not have all of the knowledge you have.
I challenge you to change the format of your presentation for the junior high level. What would you need to change so junior high students would benefit?
I challenge you to structure your presentation so grade school students could learn from it? What can you do to make it grade-school-friendly? Think about the age of the audience.
You probably have questions or comments about urban legends. Email some of the urban legend experts at the addresses you find online. Be specific and professional when writing them.
Email one of the urban legend experts and tell him or her what you appreciate about the research and presentation online.
Email an urban legends expert and tell him or her about your webquest learning experience.
Teachers: please look at the notes section before you implement this assignment.
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