Heroes WebQuest

 

Victoria Dallmann/Language Arts, Oconto Falls HS

Robert Farcus/ Language Arts, Wausaukee HS, JHS

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Introduction Task Process Resources Evaluation Conclusion Teacher's Notes

BLKOLD~1.GIF (15326 bytes) Introduction

You are an Earthling on the planet Telesis. It was cooperatively colonized first by Telesens, who named it, and then later by Earthlings. Over time the Telesens, a highly intellectual people, have gained a majority in the ruling council because of a lack of interest by Earthlings. Telesen majority rule has been peaceful and beneficial to all. However, in recent years the Telesens have claimed that Earthlings should be dismissed from the Council. They think this because Earthlings seem to lack the heroic qualities of their Earthling ancestors. Earthling ancestors helped make the colony grow and the Council wise. Telesens have declared that if Earthlings today can rediscover those qualities such as the ancient Earthling Homer knew, or the qualities that Earthling fictional characters have shown, then the Council majority will have a reason to return to equal rule by both inhabitants. Otherwise, the Telesens have said that they will be forced to rule alone in the best interests of all.

In response, an Earthling team has formed to meet the challenge of the Telesens! You are now a member of HEROES, Helping Earthlings Retain Order for an Equal Society. Your team must define the qualities that make a hero and find real Earthlings who show these heroic qualities.

As you journey forth on your quest, you remember a story you have recently experienced. You think, "…heroic?" Yes! The Telesens said, "heroic qualities." Your team now has an idea of at least one story character that can help you meet the Telesen challenge… .

Task

  1. Each student will work in a cooperative group.
  2. Each group will define heroism and research the many qualities that make a hero.
  3. Each member of the group will research his/her own real person that qualifies as a hero.
  4. Each group will construct a Power Point presentation showing their individual and collective efforts.
  5. Each member will hand in a written summary of his/her own conclusions about the story and real life people.

Process

Follow these steps to complete your project:

  1. Students will be divided into cooperative groups of three or four.
  2. As team members you must find at least six heroic qualities your wise ancestors valued. Use the sites listed in the (Resources) to guide you in your search. Divide your efforts among you. Each member of the group must identify at least four qualities, but the team must finally decide on at least 6 qualities that all members of the group will use for comparison.
  3. On 3x5 note cards, each member must identify a heroic quality, give a definition, and at least one example describing how a human may or may not show this quality. (One note card per quality, four qualities per member)
  4. As a group choose the top six qualities from all your choices that you found that best describe a hero.
  5. Each student in the group will research his/her own real hero, based on all six heroic qualities chosen in Step 4. Check the sites under (Resources).
  6. As a group decide whether your real people and the story characters previously studied show the same six heroic qualities.
  7. Prepare your Power Point or HyperStudio presentation.

    STERNCLR.GIF (21429 bytes)

    		 Slides should include:

 Definitions of Heroism

 Examples of each real hero compared to one fictional hero. (Each person must prepare his/her own slides)

 Conclusions about heroism.
      1. What makes for a hero in literature and in real life?
      2. What general conclusions do you draw about story characters and real people?
      3. What other ideas or questions does your group want the audience to consider regarding heroes?
STERNS~1.GIF (8210 bytes) The presentation must also include the following:

  graphics that visually show or suggest the slide’s idea or theme

 color backgrounds, foregrounds, textures, or schemes to draw viewers into the slide's message

 the use of sound to draw viewer attention to major ideas

 notes on essential characteristics of heroism to be handed out to the audience
  1. Each student must write a summary (complete paragraph) describing what he or she has discovered concerning real and fictional heroes based on the conclusion section in number 7 above.
  2. Evaluation will be based on the Project's rubric and on the PowerPoint rubric or the HyperStudio rubric so check them out first!
 Resources


Definitions 		 

Opinion

  

People

 Related Ideas
What Makes a Hero? Hero? Who are heroes and heroines? Directory of Heroes  Leadership
Heroism Heroes: Literature and Life Time Magazine Historical Figures  A Fantasy Hero
Dictionary Archetypes A Hero’s Story has ? Decades Past  FOUNDATIONS OF HEROISM
Encyclopedia  Quotations  Your Opiniojn  Enter Name, Keyword, and/or Date  Characteristics of a Good Leader

 

 Evaluation/Assessment

Rubrics have been developed to assess student research and presentation of this WebQuest.

Click for a PowerPoint rubric or Click for a HyperStudio rubric. Click for this Project's rubric.
 Conclusion

Congratulations Heroes! You have rediscovered the ancient qualities of heroism your ancestors had. You have proven to the Telesians that Earthlings have the ability to be heroic; thus you have renewed equality on Telesis.

Teacher's Notes

Teachers-- for more information, click here.