Travel Back in Time to the Roaring Twenties!

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Travel Back in Time to the Roaring Twenties!

A Fifth Grade WebQuest Created by Gretchen
Hornsby Milford Elementary School
Overview Introduction Task Process
Evaluation Conclusion Credits
2
Overview

• This social studies/language arts web-based
  project challenges students to become newspaper
  reporters who research and describe the cultural
  developments that took place during the 1920s.
• The Georgia Performance Standards addressed in
  this project include
• SS5H4 The student will describe U.S. involvement
  in World War I and Post-World War I America.
• SS5G2 The student will explain the reasons for
  the spatial patterns of economic activities.
• ELA5R1 The student demonstrates comprehension
  and shows evidence of a warranted and responsible
  explanation of a variety of literary and
  informational texts.
• ELA5W1 The student produces writing that
  establishes and appropriate organizational
  structure, sets a context and engages the reader,
  maintains a coherent focus throughout, and
  signals a satisfying closure.
• ELA5W2 The student demonstrates competence in a
  variety of genres.
• ELA5W3 The student uses research and technology
  to support writing.
• Cobb County Technology Standards addressed in
  this project include
• T.22 The student creates, modifies, and edits
  documents using desktop publishing tools.
• T.24 The student recognizes and uses technology
  and telecommunication tools to locate
  information.

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Introduction

• The year is 1927 and the staff at the Daily
  Dispatch is feverishly working to cover all the
  exciting developments happening across the
  nation. The problem is that more and more people
  are getting their news from listening to the
  radio instead of reading the newspaper! They need
  to hire some talented new editors who will dazzle
  readers with their creative reporting, writing,
  and research skills. They hope to boost newspaper
  sales by writing up-to-the-minute news stories
  and improving the appearance of their paper by
  featuring photographs not found anywhere else. Do
  you have what it takes to bring back readers and
  save the newspaper?

Editors Needed!

• After the serious days of World War I, the 1920s
  brought good times for many Americans. People
  were eager for change and wanted to enjoy
  themselves. For this reason, the 1920s are often
  called the Roaring Twenties. This period in our
  countrys history saw many developments in
  industry, aviation, entertainment, womens
  rights, and African American culture.

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Task

• You and your team have all been hired as editors
  for the Daily Dispatch. They are counting on your
  hard work and expert reporting skills! Each
  member of your team will be assigned to a
  different reporting role Industry Editor,
  Entertainment Editor, Technology Editor, and
  Cultural/Womens Suffrage Movement Editor. Your
  job is to research the latest happenings in your
  field and write a brief news story that will both
  inform and entertain your readers! Remember that
  a picture is worth a thousand words! Good luck!

• Click on the pictures below for your specific
  reporting assignment

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Industry Editor

• This has been a very exciting decade for new
  industries and the economy! Your job as the
  Industry Editor is to research the sources below
  to learn about these industries and how they have
  impacted American life. In your news report, be
  sure to include details about these important
  developments
• Henry Ford and the assembly line
• How people are paying for automobiles and other
  expensive goods
• Other industries that are needed because of the
  automobile
• How these industries are changing where and how
  people live
• Sources you will need in your search
• Your social studies textbook
• http//www.brainpop.com/technology/scienceandindus
  try/assemblyline/
• http//www.worldalmanacforkids.com/explore/inventi
  ons/ford_henry.html

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Entertainment Editor

• The 1920s are also known as the Jazz Age. Many
  Americans found new sources of entertainment from
  music, sports, movies, and radio. Your job as the
  Entertainment Editor is to research the sources
  below to learn about ways in which Americans were
  enjoying their Post-World War I days. Be sure to
  include information about the following
  developments
• The contributions of Babe Ruth to the New York
  Yankees and baseball
• The rise of Jazz music and the contributions of
  Louis Armstrong
• New developments in film (movies)
• Other entertainment developments such as the
  Harlem Globetrotters.
• Sources you will need in your search
• Your social studies textbook
• http//165.29.91.7/classes/humanities/amstud/97-98
  /jazz/YOURPAGE.HTM
• http//www.rockhall.com/hof/inductee.asp?id59
• http//www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honor
  ees/hofer_bios/ruth_babe.htm
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babe_Ruth
• http//www.pbs.org/pov/pov2005/hardwood/special_ov
  erview.html

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Technology Editor

• It is amazing how many technological advances are
  being made in such a short period of time! With
  each new invention American life changes
  dramatically. As the Technology Editor, it is
  your job to keep up with all of these incredible
  new discoveries and document how they are making
  life easier for all of us. You will need to use
  the following sources to learn about the rapid
  changes we are all experiencing. Be sure to
  include the following details in your news
  report
• Charles Lindbergh, The Spirit of St. Louis, and
  how they increased interest in commercial air
  travel
• The radio, commercial radio stations, and how
  they are changing life for the American family
• Sources you will need in your search
• Your social studies textbook
• http//www.brainpop.com/technology/communications/
  radio/
• http//www.brainpop.com/technology/transportation/
  flight/
• http//www.pbs.org/kcet/chasingthesun/planes/stlou
  is.html

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Cultural Editor/Womens Suffrage Movement

• The New York neighborhood of Harlem has become a
  center for African American artists. Writers,
  musicians, and other artists have begun gathering
  here to not only entertain people, but also to
  share what it is like to be black in the United
  States. Women are also experiencing new rights
  and freedoms. In your news report, please include
  details about the following developments
• Langston Hughes and his contribution to the
  Harlem Renaissance
• The art of Jazz music and how it began
• Why the Harlem Renaissance is considered to be a
  rebirth for African Americans
• Other ways (besides the arts) in which African
  Americans are thriving
• New rights for women
• Sources you will need in your search
• Your social studies text book
• http//www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/ushistory/ha
  rlemrenaissance/
• http//165.29.91.7/classes/humanities/amstud/97-98
  /jazz/YOURPAGE.HTM
• http//www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/ushistory/wo
  menssuffrage/

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Process

• You and your teammates need to follow these steps
  to ensure the best possible newspaper project
• Carefully read your job description and ask the
  chief editor (your teacher) if you have questions
  or need help understanding your topic.
• Carefully read the evaluation before starting
  your reporting job.
• Review all the sources provided to gather as much
  information as possible. Write down important
  facts, dates, and other information you want to
  include in your news report. It would be a good
  idea to use index cards for your notes. You may
  also want to copy and save a few pictures that
  would enhance the quality of your reporting.
• Once you have enough information, write a rough
  draft of your news article. Make sure to skip
  lines so a teammate has room to write
  suggestions. Remember that your article needs to
  inform readers, but should still be fun and
  interesting to read.
• Have a teammate read your draft and make
  suggestions for improvement. Make sure you have
  included all important information listed in your
  job description. Make notes about new ideas or
  other changes. Both you and a partner need to
  check your work for spelling, punctuation, and
  grammatical errors.
• Write a second draft that includes all of your
  changes, ideas, and corrections.
• With your teammates, use Microsoft Publisher to
  select a newsletter format for your newspaper.
  You will each need to type your news story. Work
  together to select Clip Art, pictures, and other
  visual graphics to make your project original and
  professional. Dont forget to save your work
  every few minutes!
• When your team has finished, present your project
  to the class. Make sure each reporter on your
  team has an important part in this presentation.
• Submit your newspaper to the chief editor (your
  teacher) for evaluation.
• Think about your project and answer the questions
  on the Conclusion page.

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Evaluation
Accomplished Editor Developing Editor Beginning Editor Self Evaluation Chief Editor Evaluation
Required Elements (20 Points) All required details were covered thoroughly and the editor took a great interest in the topic. Most of the required details were covered. Some ideas could be explained in greater detail. Some required elements may be missing. More time researching the topic is needed to make this a final draft.
Writing Skills (20 Points) The writing is pleasant and easy to read. It is informative yet entertaining. Three or fewer errors made in structure, grammar, or spelling. The writing is informative. The editor could spend more time developing the creativity or structure of the writing. Three to six errors in the piece. The writing is off to a good start. More revision is needed to make this piece a final draft. Six or more errors may interfere with the meaning or enjoyment of the writing. Work with a partner and the teacher to revise.
Technology Skills (20 Points) Technology was used appropriately and successfully. The product is professional and new skills were gained in the process. The editor gained new technology skills from completing the project. The finished product may be basic or need a few changes to make it professional. The editor is learning to use the technology required for the project. Some one-on-one assistance may be needed to gain the skills necessary to create the finished product.
Presentation (20 Points) The editor had a meaningful role in the group presentation. The speaker was prepared and confident. The editor had a limited role in the group presentation. Continue practicing speaking skills. The editor had little or no part in the presentation of the project. More planning and practice is needed.
Team Cooperation (20 Points) My team worked well together. If there were problems, they were resolved quickly and without much teacher intervention. My team struggled at times, but it did not have a negative impact on the final product. We resolved conflicts eventually and may have needed some assistance . My team struggled to work together and this made the project difficult to complete. Some problems are unresolved. The group will need more time and teacher conferences to resolve differences and complete the task.
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Conclusion

• Outstanding reporting, editors! Newsstands are
  selling out of the Daily Dispatch and your
  feature stories are the talk of the town! Take a
  moment to reflect upon what you have accomplished
  and how much you have learned.
• 3-2-1 Summary
• Name three people who played an important role in
  the Roaring Twenties.
• List two ways in which America is a better place
  today because of this dynamic decade.
• Identify the most important person, event, or
  thing to remember about the 1920s (in your
  opinion).
• Free Response
• What did you learn about technology while
  completing this project?
• How might you use these technology skills in the
  future?
• Describe one challenge you and your teammates had
  to overcome to accomplish this task. You may
  focus on any part of the project.

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Credits

• The Roaring Twenties, Harcourt Brace Social
  Studies Grade 5, p. 307-312.
• http//www.ditto.com
• http//www.yahooligans.com
• http//www.google.com