Introduction
Charles Dickens is said to be one of the g
reatest writers that has ever lived. Before we read his "A Christmas Carol," you will be spending some time getting to know this man and learning what the world was like as he knew it.
In order to understand the man, you need to understand the times that he lived in. You will delve into the Victorian Era in England. You will learn the hardships faced by the poor. You will learn about how children were educated. You will be amazed at the inventions from the era.
Each group member will have a different research assignment.
You will each prepare two or three powerpoint slides regarding your topic.
At the end of the research you will synthesize the information gathered to make a statement of how the times he lived in may have affected Charles Dickens.
You will create a unified powerpoint to be submitted to either Mrs. O'Grady's or Ms. Mason's U-drive by November ___. You will be graded both individually and as a group.
Let the webquest begin!
Task
Task One: The life of Charles Dickens
A. Click on the link to answer the following: pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/olivertwist/dickens_timeline_text.html
1. When was Charles Dickens born?
2. How old was Dickens when his family moved to London, England?
3. Why didn't Charles Dickens attend school?
4. What happened to Dickens' father when he was unable to pay his debts (bills)?
5. Who joined him there?
6. What job did Charles do to help support the family? How old was he at the time?
7. Charles Dickens married Catherine Thompson Hogarth in 1836. How many children did they have?
8. How may novels did Dickens write?
B. Click on the link to answer the following: charlesdickenspage.com/dickens_london_map.html
9. Click on Camden Town (Map A-3). What family from "A Christmas Carol" lived there? Why might Dickens have chosen that location?
10. Click on Warren's Blacking Factory (Map E-6). What is a 'blacking factory'? What job did the 12 year old Charles Dickens do there? How did this job affect his relationship with his mother?
C. Click on the link to answer the following:
11. How old was Charles when he was removed from school for the final time?
12. What is Dickens' epitaph? Why?
Task Two: Education
Process
Task One: The life of Charles Dickens
A. Click on the link to answer the following: pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/olivertwist/dickens_timeline_text.html
1. When was Charles Dickens born?
2. How old was Dickens when his family moved to London, England?
3. Why didn't Charles Dickens attend school?
4. What happened to Dickens' father when he was unable to pay his debts (bills)?
5. Who joined him there?
6. What job did Charles do to help support the family? How old was he at the time?
7. Charles Dickens married Catherine Thompson Hogarth in 1836. How many children did they have?
8. How may novels did Dickens write?
B. Click on the link to answer the following: charlesdickenspage.com/dickens_london_map.html
9. Click on Camden Town (Map A-3). What family from "A Christmas Carol" lived there? Why might Dickens have chosen that location?
10. Click on Warren's Blacking Factory (Map E-6). What is a 'blacking factory'? What job did the 12 year old Charles Dickens do there? How did this job affect his relationship with his mother?
C. Click on the link to answer the following:
11. How old was Charles when he was removed from school for the final time?
12. What is Dickens' epitaph? Why?
Task Two: Education