Introduction
Welcome class to the WebQuest activity! You might be thinking to yourselves, “what is a WebQuest?” well, it is a group activity that uses the internet to help you learn more about a specific selected text by evaluating, comparing, and critically thinking about the different sources you will be presented with which all relate to the text we are discussing as a class. For this WebQuest, we will be discussing and analyzing the text: Krik? Krak! This text is a collection of short stories written by Edwidge Danticat and published in 1996. It consists of nine short stories plus an epilogue. The stories all share similar themes that relate to the struggle, sacrifice, and survival that Haitian immigrants have endured and continue to encounter in Haiti today. The author, Edwige Danticat is Haitian herself. She was born on January 19, 1969 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. When she was just twelve years old, she moved to the United States where she was confronted with cultural challenges, but at the same time, embraced her passion for literature and writing. In 1994, she published her first novel entitled Breath, Eyes, Memory which took inspiration from her own experiences as a Haitian immigrant, and the struggles they faced adapting to a new country and its culture. Many of her other pieces that followed received many awards. Danticat herself was awarded with the Neustadt International prize for literature. Additionally, she is also an advocate for Haitian rights and continues to be a powerful voice in contemporary literature. Her novel Krik? Krak! Was written to explore and preserve the rich oral storytelling tradition of Haiti while addressing the difficulties Haitian immigrants face both in their country and on their journeys. Like was mentioned earlier, this collection of interconnected stories carry themes of family, identity, sacrifice, survival, and resilience, reflecting both the struggles and joy of her characters. The title of this text itself references a traditional call-and-response pattern in Haitian storytelling, emphasizing the importance of community and connection in her work.
Task
There will be five major parts to this WebQuest:
- An individual research web journey
- A paired discussion of Krik? Krak! Chapter 2
- Reflection questions (part 1)
- An individual essay on Krik? Krak!
- Reflection questions (part 2)
You MUST complete these assignments in the above order and all assignments must be completed for full credit. I will be monitoring your progress as you go along so raise your hand if you have questions or otherwise need assistance. Parts 1-3 are due at the end of class but parts 4 and 5 will be collected next class.
Process
Parts 1-3 (Due at the end of class)
Research Time!
Time Period Research: Watch this youtube video of the Parsley Massacre:
Individually, conduct further research on the historical context of Krik? Krak! Chapter 2, make sure to use reliable sources*!
Optional additional resources on Haitian culture:
Haitian folktales and proverbs
Author Background Investigation: Research Edwidge Danticat, make sure to use reliable sources*!
Paired Reading Comparison
With your assigned partner discuss how the history of Haiti and her own personal experiences may have affected Danticat’s writing in Nineteen Thirty-Seven.
Reflection Questions Part 1
Complete the following questions after completing the WebQuest activity but before submitting your essay. Respond with at least 2-3 sentences per question!
- After having completed the WebQuest activity, how have you felt it helped you understand how the themes of Krik? Krak! so far related to the struggles faced by those of Haitian descent?
- How do you think the author’s ethnicity being Haitian and having been an immigrant herself, affected the tone, characters, events, and morals found within her writing so far? Do you believe that Krik? Krak! would have had different themes or a tone had it been written by a non-Haitian author?
- As you think about what to include in your essay, how do you think learning about and understanding Haitian culture and history will help you make your essay more informed and engaging, now that you appreciate Krik? Krak? on a deeper level.
Parts 4 and 5 (Due next class)
Essay Directions:
Choose ONE of the following prompts to write your essay on:
Prompt 1: How do hope & despair figure into the narratives? How does Edwidge Danticat differentiate the presentation of the dynamic of the theme of hope & despair?
Prompt 2: How does Edwidge Danticat forefront the importance of storytelling in these narratives?
Prompt 3: What does changing narrative perspectives between the stories say about storytelling for Edwidge Danticat?
Reflection Questions Part 2
Complete the following questions after completing the WebQuest activity and submitting your essay. Respond with at least 3-4 sentences per question!
- What do you believe were your strong suits while writing this essay? What did you find yourself struggling with?
EXTRA CREDIT (Due after you receive your grade)
After having seen what grade you received, was it the grade you expected? Why or why not? Reflect on why you believe that was the grade you received and how you plan to strengthen your weaknesses and solidify your strengths.
*For this assignment please use Google Scholar to find your sources
Evaluation
Part 1
I will be observing you as you conduct this part of the WebQuest, your grade on this segment based upon the following criteria:
- Your ability to stay on task and focused. I should only see your devices on the provided media, Google Scholar, or the sources that you have found therein.
- Your classroom etiquette, stay as quite as possible and keep movement limited so as not to disturb your classmates' work. I will be moving through the classroom so please raise your hand if you need assistance.
Part 2
I will be observing you as you conduct this part of the WebQuest, your grade on this segment based upon the following criteria:
- Your ability to stay on task and focused. As I observe your discussions they should stay on the topic of Krik? Krak! and how it relates to the research you have conducted.
- Your classroom etiquette, treat your partner with respect and listen to what they have to say. Keep your voices low and keep movement limited so as not to disturb your classmates' work. I will be moving through the classroom so please raise your hand if you need assistance.
- Your ability to connect your individual research with the reading, I expect your discussions to be in depth and make connections to the topic and themes of the passage with the real world background you have been able to find.
Parts 3, 5, and EC
You will be expected to answer ALL of the provided questions thoroughly and within the specified length. Stay on topic and check your spelling and grammar before turning in.
Part 4
|
5 - Excellent |
4 - Very Good |
3 - Satisfactory |
2 - Fair |
1 - Needs Serious Improvement |
|
|
Introduction & Conclusion |
Introduction grabs attention and provides meaningful context to a persuasive argument Conclusion effectively restates the argument, but fresh language and meaningful insight leaves reader wanting more |
Introduction creates a level of interest in the reader and effectively establishes the thesis while contextualizing it in discourse with the relevant text.
In fresh phrasing, with satisfyingly finalizing the insight, the conclusion summarizes and restates the thesis, showing an understanding of the big picture.. |
A clear, effective introduction to the thesis that is contextualized in discourse with the relevant text.
Conclusion restates the thesis using previous statements |
Gives basic or vague argumentative context to a thesis.
Recycles that argumentative context nearly word-for-word.
No Flow |
No Introduction or conclusion |
|
Commentary & Evidence/ Quotation |
Creative/original ideas and insights; extensive commentary, refreshing; goes beyond obvious and basic commentary |
Commentary is deep and evidence from the text is integrated effectively, smoothly, and clearly |
Textual quotations are well integrated and support arguments but ideas are obvious and simple. |
Basic commentary that hints at deeper discourse but does not engage on that deeper level.
Lack of development in thesis argument |
Commentary is surface-level and barely reasonable.
There is little to no textual evidence or in text citations given as support, crudely integrated.
Quotes do not connect to the material |
|
Thesis |
Argument is clearly articulated and persuasive, as well as contains an original opinion |
Clearly articulated, reasonable and persuasive argument presented. |
Articulates a plausible argument supported by evidence. |
Thesis does not pertain to the prompt or text |
An unreasonable argument with little relevant evidence
No Thesis |
|
Language & Style |
Sophisticated vocabulary; sentence variety; quotations are smoothly blended |
Precise diction, and evocative tone that demonstrates command of the English language and its grammar
Smooth combination of direct quotes and words or phrases that facilitate the flow of the narrative |
Appropriate tone, and varied syntax without errors
Attempts at incorporating more advanced vocabulary in the adequate context |
More appropriate tone, a still limited but more varied syntax that does not contain immediately apparent errors, or contains very few, basic diction
Little to no use of class vocabulary words |
Vague diction limited syntax (contains errors or does not), and inappropriate tone
Lack of coherence or sentence clarity |
Credits
A WebQuest by:
Danni Saun
Julio Aguila
Angelica Bustos
Caterina Andino