The Alchemist

Introduction

In Santiago's journey to achieve his personal legend Coelho refers to, builds upon, and draws from many areas: religion, chemestry, mythology, archeology, etc. In this webquest, you will explore some of these topics, making you more able to understand the complexities and depths of this story.

Task

Using online resources and your Ipad, you will find information on the following topics that are relevent to your understanding of the text:

1) Alchemy

2) The Philosopher's Stone

3) Esperanto

4) Tarifa and Tangiers

5) Al-Fayoum

6) Andalusia

7) Strait of Gibraltar

8) Pyramids of Egypt

9) Narcissus

10) Bedouin

You will provide a 3 - 5 sentence summary of the topic AND a picture. Construct all your notes on a Google Doc. Copy and Paste the URL address for your source citation.

Process

Remember the journey is more important than the destination. The process is more important than the goal. Don't rush through for the easisest sources of information; dig in, and learn about these topics from quality resources.

Evaluation

A: Specific information about all 10 topics from a variety of sources with accurate and credible information. All the writing is in your own words; no copy and pasting. Thorough and complete; adds detail and meaning to the text's background topics. All sources are cited appropriately.

B: Specific information about all 10 topics from a variety of sources with accurate and credible information. All the writing is in your own words; no copy and pasting. Mostly thorough and complete; adds detail and meaning to the text's background topics. All sources are cited.

C: General information about all 10 topics from a variety of sources with accurate and credible information. All the writing is in your own words; no copy and pasting. Complete, adds some detail and meaning to the text's background topics. Most sources are cited; some might not be reputable.

D: Not entirely complete, but still the assignment adds some appropriate background information to the text's background topics. Missing source citations.

F: incomplete and / or copy and pasted information

Conclusion

Explain how these elements might be considered figurative in the text, meaning, how might the author being using them to add meaning beyond the literal?