Process
Process One
Directions:
Your group has been assigned two topics to cover in your front page newspaper articles. The first step is to research these topics by visiting the weblink provided. As you read the information, be sure to document your findings by answering the questions below that pertain to your sections.
http://www.fidnet.com/~dap1955/dickens/index.html
Illustrations
1) How were Dickens’ books illustrated? (Look in the margin.)
2) How do the illustrations help you visualize the characters and the time period of Dickens’ works?
3) Were you surprised to see what Dickens looked like? Why or why not?
Fast Facts
1) When was Dickens born?
2) What is his full name?
3) Who were his parents? What were they like?
4) What education did he receive?
5) How did his sister’s illness affect him?
6) What was a defining moment of his life?
7) Who did he marry? How is she described?
8) How many children did he have? What were their names?
9) What major works did he write?
10) When did he die? Are we told why?
Timeline
1) Besides his birth and death, what are two other events that seem especially important to Dickens’ life? Why did you choose them as important?
2) What date was Great Expectations published?
3) Look at the old timeline link and click on the first choice on the next page. What other famous people lived during Dickens’ time? Have you heard any of these names before? If so, what do you know about each one?
Family and Friends
1) Compare and contrast Dickens’ life with what the author tells you his books are about. (1st paragraph)
2) Read the following sections and summarize your findings. For the first three choices, only include NEW information that you don’t already have.
i. Parents
ii. Wife/Children
iii. Friends: Hans Christian Anderson, George Eliot, Thomas Carlyle, John Forster, Washington Irving, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Edgar Allan Poe
Dickens’
1) What was
2) What was Dickens’ writing process as he tried to capture the characteristics of the city?
3) Summarize each section below the introduction.
4) What is your overall impression of
Dickens in
1) Look at the primary sources as you read. (Italicized words, links to articles written in that time period, quotes in the margin) What impressions did Dickens have of
2) Under “Dickens on Stage,” what was Mark Twain’s impression of his reading?
Dickens and Christmas
1) How do Dickens’ writings influence our Christmas celebrations today?
2) What affect did they have during Victorian times?
3) What Christmas traditions were started during Victorian times that we still celebrate today?
Reading Dickens
1) What makes reading his books difficult?
2) What resources are offered to make it easier?
3) Pick one short work to read from the lower links. Use the Glossary link for any difficult vocabulary.
4) Summarize your selection and tell me your impression of it and why.
5) Look in the margin for “Dickens’ Genius.” According to the author, why is he so celebrated today?
The Novels
1) Look at how Dickens’ books were published and summarize what each one was and why it was published in that format.
2) What types of writing did Dickens publish?
3) Pick three of the quotes you like best from the margin and tell me why you chose each one.
The Characters
1) Look up the name “Pip” and click on the “PIX” link to see a picture. Repeat this process for each name listed in the paragraph about him. For those who have a “PIX” link, follow it.
2) How will these pictures help you as we read Great Expectations?
Dickens’ Shoppe
1) Which two books would you like me to buy? Why? Which one do you hate? Why?
Charles Dickens WebQuest:
Part Two
Now that you have the research you need, visit the online newspaper links below. You do not have to browse every site, but visit at least two.
As you browse the sites, pay special attention to how the text is laid out on the front page and also the style of writing the authors choose. List your observations in the form of T-Journal notes. On one side document what you notice about format and style. On the other side, provide an example from the texts you browsed.
Your group will need to bring these notes to a conference with your teacher before you begin writing the newspaper article.
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Charles Dickens WebQuest:
Part Three
To conclude your project, your group should write your newspaper article based on your notes and the comments from your teacher conference.
Be sure to review the evaluation rubric repeatedly as you write to insure the best grade.
Visit the link below for examples of student created newspapers.
http://my.highschooljournalism.org/schools.cfm
Please note that while these newspapers do not include pictures, you must include at least two pictures with yours. Visit these sites for great Victorian clip art.
http://www.vintageclipart.com/halloweengreetingsV3.htm
http://www.sensibility.com/vintageimages/victorian/