1984 webquest
Created by Melinda Senff
Apex High School
msenff@wcpss.net
ID #: 14873

Subject Area: English and Literature
Grade Level: 12

Lesson Summary
Students will learn about the dangers of the power of the government, what the cost of losing their individuality truly means, how undergoing peer pressure does change a person no matter how physically, emotionally or mentally strong they may be. This will be accomplished through completing the WebQuest and watching a video on United Streaming from the Discovery Channel titled “Great Books: 1984”, and reading the novel 1984 by George Orwell

Learning Objectives and Computer Functions
This lesson plan uses 20 objectives.

Objective 1: Define and comprehend totalitarianism, fascism, Nazism and democracy
Uses The Internet to access listed websites

Uses Non-Computer Tool to discuss the differences between them

Uses The Internet to access listed websites

Uses Non-Computer Tool to discuss the differences between them

Objective 2: Recognize how current historical events are relevant to novel
Uses The Internet to access listed websites

Uses Non-Computer Tool to to discuss similarities and relevance of leaders

Uses The Internet to access listed websites

Uses Non-Computer Tool to to discuss similarities and relevance of leaders

Objective 3: Recognize how history today is similar and different than what is described in the book
Uses The Internet to access listed websites

Uses The Internet to access listed websites

Objective 4: Recall pertinent events from novel and history, interpret the meaning of implied usage through the author’s words and apply critical thinking skills to understand what the author is truly trying to illustrate
Uses The Internet to access listed websites

Uses Non-Computer Tool to apply gained knowledge of information obtained

Uses The Internet to access listed websites

Uses Non-Computer Tool to apply gained knowledge of information obtained

Objective 5: Complete various writing assignments related to novel to illustrate higher analytical thinking skills and complete a powerpoint
Uses Non-Computer Tool to complete personal writing assignments

Uses Non-Computer Tool to complete personal writing assignments

Uses The Internet to research Tiananmen Square Massacre

Uses Word Processing to complete writing on first amendment privledges

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Problem
Problem Nature

Problem Data

Notes on Using Data
The websites will be provided for them; the questions they will need to answer will be provided as well.Their writing assignments will be typed using a word procesing program and following a provided rubic.

Problem Statement
Today we are going to learn from our past and investigate some of the many similarities to the present. Some of you may already know all that you think you need to know in order to survive, however that is not true. History is doomed to repeat itself if it is not learned from initially. We currently live in a democracy where people have some semblance of power; however, it was not always as such. With the rise of Communism and Fascism in the 1930’s and 1940’s, people’s rights were diminished or nullified, and political, social and economic changes that affected people’s lives immensely occurred. The purpose of such a novel as 1984 is to make people think about the future, to make people wonder and think about what the future will bring. How will people be affected by the changes? Will people in general from the future be different from the present? If so how and why? Are the changes for the betterment of mankind or are the changes for the betterment of the government? Is mankind headed in a direction that will have positive results or will history be repeating itself? What would you do if you were forced to live in such a world as is described in the readings you are to complete and the world of 1984? Do you think that you would be able to withstand such pressure and dismal times? Some of you think yes, some of you think that it wouldn’t be a problem, while others think no. Again, your perspective is relevant and important especially when you read about history, how it is presented in the novel and what you know or thought you knew about the past. Consider the answers to the questions as you read the novel and watch the informative video.

Data Manipulation
Instructions
The learner used computers at intermediate level

Integration Strategies
The students will take what they have read and paraphrase it in their own words for better understanding, all except specific facts from history.

Organization Strategies
The information they access will be organized in a word processed document with each section titled; each question will have their answer directly after it.

Elaboration Strategies
At the end of the think sheet, the students will be able to compare the modern world they live in today to that of the world of 1984 from the novel

Results Presentation
Each student will complete the incorporated writin assignments seperatly; these are \"What Do You Think?\", \"Essay on First Amendment\" and \"The Most Influential Invention of Stalin\'s Time Still Presnt Today?\" Each of these writing assignments will be based on the rubric already included in the WebQuest.

Activities
 Activities Before Using the Computer
Work with an open mind and be understanding of what problems people faced back then; they also need to comprehend and demonstrate understanding that life was not easy back then as it is now; there were no luxuries.

Strategies to develop students' attitudes towards the problem, motivation, and overall mindfulness:
To introduce the novel, I would have posted 4 signs around the room: “Death”, “Room 101”, “Jail” and “Freedom”. Through an activity, each student would be able to choose one of the four answers to a question that I asked. For example, I would ask, “What is your favorite color?” I would them give them only four choices to choose from: Red, Blue, Purple, and Pink. Each student was told which corner of the room corresponded with each color. They each moved accordingly. If none of the colors offered were theirs, those students were to stand in the middle. The way that it worked was depending on if they chose the “correct color” (and it varied) they were free; if they chose a different color they were either dead, put into jail or into room 101. For the students that were in the middle of the room, those students were safe and could not be harmed because they were now the though police. After four rounds of doing this game with now seasons, months, and days of the week, they had a better understanding of what the power of the government truly was. By doing such an activity, I was able to activate their schema of how they make their daily decisions such as speeding down a road or cheating on a test.

 

Activities While Using the Computer
Students will work at the computer indiv

Group Information:

 

Activities After Using the Computer
They will be reading the novel 1984 and completing the reading guide questions, character trait chart, quizzes and discussions in class on a dialy basis.

Supporting Activities

Assessment
Students will be assessed by means of:

Included in the assessment:
A final discussion of the facts of the webquest and what they have learned; they creation of the final group activity based on the Tiananmen Square Massacre in the form of Powerpoint




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