Title:
Book
Adventure
Subject
and Grade Level: Reading, 6th - 8th grade
Student
Characteristics:Students at the middle school
age level have a very low attention spans when they are not engaged in
active learning environments. They should have a solid background in technology
use by the time they have reached this grade level and these skills should
be challenged and enhanced by being integrated into other curriculum areas.
Their reading levels should be high enough to complete a 150-200 page novel
in a week's time and then pursue the Book Adventure activity.
Lesson
Overview: Book Adventure Webquest is
an activity based on the novel an award winning novel a group of students
has just completed. The tasks require the students to complete four
separate projects that involve using five software programs, research,
creativity, and cooperative learning.
Learning
Objectives:The Book Adventure webquest is
designed to enhance the students reflective thought process about
the literature they have just read. By creating projects related
to the novel, the students can enhance their technology skills as well
as their communication, writing, and cooperative learning skills.
Book Adventure Webquest addresses the following LA Curriculum Standards
ELA-1-M2
Analyzing story elements (e.g., setting, plot,
character, theme, mood) within a selection.
ELA-1-M3
Reading, comprehending, and responding to written, spoken, and
visual texts in extended passages.
ELA-1-M4
Interpreting texts with supportive explanations to generate
connections to real-life situations and other texts (e.g., business,
technical, scientific)
ELA-1-M5
Using purposes for reading (e.g., enjoying, learning, researching,
problem solving) to achieve a variety of objectives.
Time:5-6
one hour class periods
Resources/Materials:
Kidspiration, Kidpixs, Appleworks, Microsoft Word and Publisher, computer
access, color printer, projection screen, group novels,
Activities
& Procedures:
Tasks
1- Students will 1. Get into their groups according the novel
they have read.
2. Brainstorm as to how to display the novel's elements, including characters,
setting, plot, and conclusion.
3. Design a representation of their findings using Kidspiration.
4. Present project to class.
Task
2- Students will 1. Choose group roles (researcher,
designer, illustrator, and editor)
2. Research either other literary works that have received the same award
as their
novel, or other literary works that revolve around the same theme as their
novel.
3. Use Appleworks to create a database of their research.
4. Present project to class.
Task
3- Students will 1. Choose group roles (researcher,
designer, illustrator, and editor)
2. Research information about thier novel's author.
3. Use Kidpixs to create a slideshow highlighting the life and works
of the author.
4. Present project to class.
Task
4- Students will 1. Choose group roles (producer,
stage manager, director, technical director)
2. Using Microsoft Word create a script that follows the story map
from Task 1.
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3. Design simple props and costumes to accompany the play.
4. Use Microsoft Publisher to create sample brochures and advertisements
for your
play.
5. Present play to class.
Assessment:
Each
individual student will receive an individual grade on each of the four
tasks, which is partly influenced by their group roles as well. A rubric
will be used to assign grades based on the division of the workload, the
content, the organization, and the originality.
