Dragonwings Project
a WebQuest for (grade 7) (Language Arts)
by Kristen Anderson
Introduction | Task | Resources | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion
You and two other
students have been selected by the American Library Association as 7th
grade representatives to determine the classification of the book Dragonwings.
Some catalogs list the book as "science fiction," others list it as
"fantasy," and still others as "historical fiction."
The Task
You will work in a
team of three to investigate the historical accuracy of the book. You will also
explore one other aspect of the book, something that interests you, to present
as a possible project to the class. You will use the resources listed in the
following section.
You will answer the
following questions:
1. Why does Windrider
not try to bring the rest of his family to San Francisco? Is this accurate for
the time period? Why?
2. Is it probable that
the Wright brothers really corresponded with Windrider and Moon
Shadow? Why?
3. How historically
accurate is the account of the earthquake, fire, and aftermath?
The Library of Congress has a collection of the writings of Orville and Wilbur Wright.
Many poems written by immigrants to
California were discovered at the immigration center on Angel Island, off the San Francisco coast.
Jack London, famous American author was an eyewitness to the
earthquake.
Chinatown was virtually destroyed by
the fire. Click on the picture of Chinatown today to learn more about the city
of San Francisco.
Teacher resource files help students
and teachers find extension projects for reading.
Decide which
of the historical questions in which you want to become an expert. Everyone
will explore the extension project together.
Investigate the
appropriate resource on-line.
Write the
information you gathered on paper. This is your rough draft document for one
paragraph of the paper.
Write a final draft,
with an introduction, body (each question can be a paragraph), and conclusion.
The "expert" for each area is responsible for their body paragraph;
you should collaborate on the introduction and conclusion.
The extension
project may be presented any way you choose. You may want to give the class
directions, you may tell us about it, or you may make a sample project. Be
creative! You may use technology, or you may use print materials.
A rubric will be used to evaluate this
activity. You may view it here. (Please do not print! I have copies!)
When you choose a book to read, notice
the genre classification. (You can find this in the card catalog.) Decide if
you agree with the "expert" opinion. If you do not, tell the
librarian. Maybe they will broaden its classification, and you will definitely
have broadened your knowledge of young adult literature.
Created 10/27/01
Based on a template from The Webquest Page.