The Life And Times of       

William Shakespeare

A WebQuest for 9th Grade

Meghan Szczepanek

MSzczepanek@Eastlongmeadow.org

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | 

Introduction

We are about to read Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet this month. In order to gain better knowledge of Elizabethan England and William Shakespeare we're going to use the Web to delve more deeply into the play.

Task

Each group of three will be assigned an historic aspect of Elizabethan England to explore and research using the internet. . After completing your research, you will be asked to create a poster detailing your area of expertise to the class. You must also hand in a works cited page with your poster.

Research Topics:

  • The Plague
  • Exploration
  • Punishment
  • Entertainment
  • Social Classes
  • Background info. on Shakespeare 

Process

  1. Begin by reading the webliography . Use this as a starting point to find useful and credited sources on the web. You will also be required to create your own webliography.
  2. Give each person in your group a website to examine. Each person should take notes on major points on the topic.  This wiki will replace a poster or paper you would normally create.
  3. Come together and share what you've learned.
  4. Work together to design your final product. The final product will be a class wiki on Elizabethan England. Essentials Wiki 
  5. Be sure to look back on the evaluation checklist in order to determine whether a website is credible!

Evaluation

You will be graded on the following categories:

Exemplary

4

Accomplished

3

Developing

2

Beginning

1

Score

 

Accuracy

 

All information is accurate and relates to the topic. The sources are cited in the webliography

 Most of the information is accurate and relates to the topic. All of the sources are cited in the webliography. The information is accurate, but some does not relate to the topic. Some of the sources are not included in the webliography. Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting the highest level of performance.

 

Presentation of Results

 

 The layout of the information is attractive and the information is presented in an organized manner. The wiki is written in language appropriate for the audience. The layout of the information is attractive, and most of the information is presented in an organized manner. Most of the language is appropriate for the audience. The layout of the information is attractive, but information is presented in a haphazard way. Some of the language is inappropriate for the intended audience. The layout of the information distracts the reader from the information. Information is presented in a haphazard way. Language is inappropriate fir the audience.

 

Creativity

 

 The group has gone beyond the generic wiki layout and has included 3 pictures relevant to the information presented. The group has gone beyond the generic wiki layout and has included 2 pictures relevant to the information presented. The group has gone beyond the generic wiki layout and has included 1 picture relevant to the information presented. The group has not gone beyond the generic wiki layout and has not included any pictures relevant to the information presented.

 

Sources

 

 The group has included 5 credible sources beyond what was given in class. The group has included 4 credible sources beyond what was given in class. The group has included 3 credible sources beyond what was given in class. The group has included 2 or less credible sources beyond what was given in class.

 

Grammar & Usage

 

 The wiki has been carefully proofread and does not include any errors in grammar or usage. The language is appropriate for the audience. The wiki has been carefully proofread and includes 3 or less errors in grammar or usage. The language is appropriate for the audience. The wiki has been  proofread, but  includes 4-6 errors in grammar or usage. Most of the language is appropriate for the audience. The wiki has not been carefully proofread and includes more than 6 errors in grammar or usage. The language is not appropriate for the audience.
Time The group was on task at all times and completed the project in the time given. The group was on task most of the time and completed the project in the time given. The group was not on task at all times, but  completed the project on time. The group was not on task at all times and did not complete the project in the time given.
 

Conclusion

When you complete this project, you will better understand the historic time period in which Shakespeare lived.

Questions For further thought:

  • Where might Shakespeare have gained inspiration for his writing?
  • Why are Shakespeare's plays considered some of the best writing of all time?
  • How might the environment in which he lived influenced his writing?

 

 

Credits & References

This web quest was created using a template found on  The WebQuest Page and the Design Patterns page. Visit these sites to gain more information. so that others can acquire the latest version of this template and training materials.

 

We all benefit by being generous with our work. Permission is hereby granted for other educators to copy this WebQuest, update or otherwise modify it, and post it elsewhere provided that the original author's name is retained along with a link back to the original URL of this WebQuest. On the line after the original author's name, you may add Modified by (your name) on (date). If you do modify it, please let me know and provide the new URL.

Picture of Shakespeare found on: http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/history/virtual/portrait/shakespeare.jpg

Last updated 02/27/2004 21:21:42. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page