Halloween

Introduction

In the WebQuest we will be searching for answers through provided websites for the spooky past to Halloween. 

Task

Pick two other people that you work well with do do this project with. At the end of these activities, you will create a powerpoint and present it to the teacher. The presentation will be on Halloween history, with examples to show your favorite discoveries.

Process

There are questions for the first four activities, please answer all questions for each activity. Your powerpoint will be based on these questions.  

Use the provided websites to find the information.

 1. Halloween history

http://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-halloween

  1. Where is the celebration of Halloween thought to have come from?
  2. The Celts occupied a part of land covering three modern day countries. What are they?
  3. What did the Celts believe the ghosts of the dead would damage?
  4. What costumes did they wear?
  5. What did the druids build?
  6. What did they re-light protect them from the coming winter?
  7. By 43 AD, who conquered the Celts?
  8. After many changes due to the spread of Christianity, what new celebration was created in 1000 AD?
  9. What were the similarities between this day and Samhain?
  10. What was another name given to this celebration?
  11. What was the night before called and what did this finally become?

2. Trick-or-treating

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trick-or-treating

  1. What do children ask for when they travel from house to house? 
  2. What do children say when they arrive at a house?
  3. Why would a "trick" happen?
  4. What is usually the ’trick’?
  5. Since when has this tradition been in North America?
  6. What do homeowners who wish to participate usually do to their houses?
  7. Trick-or-treating has become prevalent in countries outside of America - what do the children ask for in Mexico?

3. Spooky Tales

http://www.americanfolklore.net/folklore/2009/10/the_hairy_toe.html

  1. What was the woman digging up to cook for dinner?
  2. What did she find?
  3. Why did she put it in her basket?
  4. What did she cook with it?
  5. Later that night, what did the voice coming from the woods say?
  6. Was the voice heard in the same place or was it getting closer?
  7. Where was the voice coming from when the old lady woke up?
  8. What did she do when she jumped out of bed?
  9. Where was the old lady when she saw the massive figure in her doorway?
  10. How did the old lady respond to the figure?
  11. What finally happened to the old lady?
  12. What was distinct about the footprint?

4. Jack-o'-lantern

For this activity, please watch this video, then read the story and answer the questions.

VIDEO http://www.history.com/topics/halloween/jack-olantern-history

http://www.history.com/topics/halloween/jack-olantern-history

  1. Where did the jack-o’-lantern tradition originate?
  2.  What happened when Jack invited the Devil for a drink with him?
  3. What did Jack do with the coin instead? Why?
  4. Under what condition did Jack free the devil?
  5. What trick did Jack play the following year and how did he prevent the devil coming down from the tree?
  6. What happened after?
  7. Where did Jack go then?
  8. What did the Irish call Jack’s ghost?
  9. What did the Irish then begin to make and place in their windows and doorways and why?
  10. What did the vegetable become in America?

5. Powerpoint Creation

Create a powerpoint with an introduction page, and 15 other slides. Each person in the group is responsible to create five slides and the introduction page should be made together. Use what you found from the websites to 

 

6. Presentation

Your group will present to me in class.

Evaluation

You will be graded based on the following for the presentation.

 

Exceptional

4

Effective

3

Acceptable

2

Developing

1
Knowledge Through understanding

Considerable understanding

 Moderate understanding Not understanding
Speech Well presented presented good presented ok poorly presented
Flow Flows nicely from member to member Flows from person to person okay Choppy flow from person to person Long pauses, from person to person
         

 

Conclusion

  • Are you surprised by the history of Halloween?
  • Do you agree with this type of celebration?
  • Have you ever practised any of these traditions? If so, which is your favourite? If not, which do you think sounds the most fun?
  • Have you ever seen a real carved-out jack-o’-lantern? Have you ever designed one yourself? Would you like to make one with your classmates?
  • Would you be interested in going trick-or-treating? If yes, what would be your costume of choice? What trick would you play?