Year 7 WebQuest for The Pearl by John Steinbeck

WebQuest for The Pearl by John Steinbeck This WebQuest is designed to introduce background material about this famous novella which is an example of a long short story. You will learn about John Steinbeck, La Paz, pearls, and other interesting facts through guided activities associated with the novel. Links will be provided for each activity.

You are to choose one of the four options to research. Some class time will be devoted to working on this project but extra time will be needed to complete the work which will contribute towards your Term 1 homework grade.

All questions must be completed in complete sentences and handed in on A4 paper. If done on the computer, work is to be typed in Times New Roman, font 12, double spaced, with proper heading on the paper.

Option 1: The Author ­ John Steinbeck Click on the links below, read the information and, on paper, type or write your answers to the questions in complete sentences. Do NOT copy and paste, your answers must be in your own words. Plagiarism is not permitted and work will be checked for this.

Websites: National Steinbeck Center" The Center for Steinbeck StudiesA San Jose State University site.

Wikipedia Steinbeck http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/johnstei.htm 1. Give some biographical information on John Steinbeck. (Date of birth, death, education, family interests…)

2. Where did Steinbeck work in the summers?

3. What kinds of awards did Steinbeck win for his works? Give the name of the award, explain what it was and the title of the work that won the award. (This information could also be included on your Steinbeck timeline.)

4. What did Steinbeck’s writing explore? What are some common themes that are generally presented in Steinbeck’s novels?

5. How did Eddie Ricketts influence Steinbeck’s novella, The Pearl?

6. When was The Pearl written?

7. What other books did Steinbeck write that deal with human values?

Option 2: The Setting ­ La Paz, Mexico Click on the links below, read the information and, on paper, type your answers to the questions in complete sentences. Do NOT copy and paste, your answers must be in your own words. Plagiarism is not permitted and work will be checked for this.

The Setting and History of Mexico http://www.bajatravel.com/Baja California Includes a short History of Lower Baja and a brief description of the city of La Paz. Find additional information here: La Paz | The Baja Peninsula.

Virtual MexicoThis is the host site which contains the above, which includes General Information about Mexico.

Mexico - A Country StudyA comprehensive site from the Library of Congress.

The novel’s setting is La Paz, Mexico 1. Where is La Paz located? Locate it on a map. Make a copy or draw the map.

2. What is the geography of La Paz? a. What bodies of water surround it? List all of them and label them on the map. b. What mountains exist? List the names of the mountains and label them on the map. c. What is the terrain like?

3. What is the climate like?

4. Where is La Paz in relation to the Gulf of California and the mountains?

5. Where is the capital of Mexico? How far would it be from La Paz to Mexico City across the water? How far to go around?

6. What are the main ways to make a living in La Paz?

Option 3: Scorpions Click on the links below, read the information and, on your paper, type the answers to the questions in complete sentences. Do NOT copy and paste, your answers must be in your own words. Plagiarism is not permitted and work will be checked for this. http://insects.tamu.edu/extension/bulletins/l-1678.html http://www.desertusa.com/oct96/du_scorpion.html http://web.singnet.com.sg/%7Echuaeecc/what/what.htm 1. What do they look like? Include a picture of a scorpion.

2. Where do they live?

3. What do they eat?

4. How do they hunt their prey?

5. Are they dangerous to humans? Why or why not?

6. What should people do if they encounter a scorpion? What if a person is stung?

Option 4: Pearl Diving Click on the links below, read the information and, on your paper, type the answers to the questions in complete sentences. Do NOT copy and paste, your answers must be in your own words. Plagiarism is not permitted and work will be checked for this. http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/pearls/obtain/index.html http://library.thinkquest.org/10236/div.htm 1. What dangers do pearl divers face?

2. What kinds of people were pearl divers?

3. What kind of life did pearl divers live?

4. How do pearl divers adapt their bodies to the ocean?

5. What are the bends?

6. How is the quality of a pearl judged?

Compulsory section Students are to respond to these questions with answers of approximately two to five sentences. Written responses need to be carefully edited and sufficiently detailed to properly answer the question being asked. Responses to this section is also to be done on paper and attached to the webquest option questions that have been chosen.

1. How difficult did you find this webquest task?

2. What sections did you enjoy best and why?

3. Which sections do you think you did best?

4. What do you think this project has taught you?