THE CANTERVILLE GHOST

Introduction

This WebQuest will help you gain a deeper understanding of Oscar Wilde's novel The Canterville Ghost (1887) as well as of the Victorian Era in which the book was written.

Upon completion, you should be able to begin the reading task with a deeper understanding and background knowledge about the novel and the author. 

Task

The class group will be organized in teams of 4 or 5. Each team will have to make a presentation containing reliable and complete information on one of the topics proposed. 

The group will present its project work for others to see and hear.  The project can be presented in various ways. You may use a power point display, a Glogster, a video play, a movie, or choose another interactive tool to present your findings. Use your imagination.  Be as creative as you wish.

Your presentation should be planned and organized. Your group should spend time rehearsing for it like you would a performance. Practice your presentations until you feel that all the members of your group know their parts perfectly.  Everyone must participate in the final presentation. Send the teacher your final product before presenting to the class.

 Each group will be assigned one of the topics below.

Group 1 Victorian Era: general overview

-    When did it start and end?

-    Who was on the throne?

-    Significant changes in the era

-    Who are the important figures?



Group 2 Industrial Revolution and scientific progress

-    What was invented in the Victorian era

-    What were the main types in industry

-    What was the East India Company  and what dis they do?

RESEARCH VICTORIAN FACTORIES AND WORKHOUSES



Group 3 Victorian society and class

-    What were the differences between the rich and the poor

-    What was a victorian family like?

-    What were poor houses?

-    What were work houses?

-    What did the rich do for fun/work?

RESEARCH CHILD LABOUR AND POVERTY



Group 4 Victorian society as reflected in the novel: the English countryside in the late 19th century, ‘Old World’ England vs. ‘New World’ America .

-    What can we learn about society in the novel?

-    What can we learn about Victorian values?

-    What groups fo people went to the countryside in the 19th century?



DESCRIBE VICTORIAN SOCIETY

Group 5  Victorian literature: Oscar WIlde, his life and works & other important writers of the time.

-    Who was Oscar Wilde?

-    What plays did Wilde write?

-    What was significant about his work?

-    What were the common themes of Victorian literature?

-    What can we learn about society from Oscar Wilde?

-    What was the gothic and why was it popular?

Process

Using the resources provided in the Credits section, look for information about Oscar WIlde and the Victorian Age in Britain. It is important to know who wrote the play and when before you read it because you can pay more attention to details.

Read the novel  (see the Credits section)

The following guidelines will help you and your team:

1. Students in the class will work in teams ( 4-5 people ) and each team will be in charge of a different section.

2. Make sure everyone on the team has read the novel. You should refer to the story as you work on the project. Provide at least one example or quote from the novel.

3. Read the Task and divide your work among the team members.

4. You are encouraged to present your work in a creative way. You can use visual aids and other multimedia techniques such as video, PowerPoint presentations, podcasts, websites, or one of the many free interactive tools available on the net: Glogster,  Prezi, thinglink, Genial ly, 

5. Plan your presentation. Make sure all group members contribute and have an equal amount of speaking parts when presenting.

6. Make sure that each member of the committee is ready to present one aspect of the findings.

Evaluation

Resultado de imagen de evaluation

The team will present their findings to the class by visual means.

  • The team presentation will be between 5- 10 minutes long.

  • One member will introduce the topic.

  • Each member of the team will speak about their individual work.

  • Another member will add the conclusion.

  • You may present your work by means of PowerPoint, video, poster work and other multimedia techniques.

      Take into consideration the structure and content:

      Structure:

  • Did the presentation have an effective introduction?
  • Were the major points illustrated, explained and summarized?
  • Was there an effective transition between the main points?
  • Did it have an effective conclusion?

      Content:

  • Was the content accurate?
  • Did the presentation hold the class' interest?
  • Were presentation media used effectively?

I will evaluate your final product in groups as well as your behaviour and attitude when working together. All the members of the group will have the same mark.

The final product will be a 30% of your mark and behaviour, attitude and participation will account for 20% of your mark. The remaining 50 % will grade your individual work and speaking skills.

Check the team evaluation rubric for your presentation here.

Individual evaluation rubric here

Conclusion

      

Resultado de imagen de final conclusion

Congratulations!! You have successfully completed your first WebQuest.

After making this WebQuest, you know the contents of the book and you are able to see similarities between a book and a certain period in literature.

With this activity, students learn to summarize and select the information they find on the internet while learning more relevant information about a well-known novel, which will help them understand it better. It will also help them improve their level of English in terms of writing, reading and learning new vocabulary. Another benefit of this activity is the fact that students will be working in groups learning how to cooperate.

You and your fellow researchers are now "experts" on the work of  Oscar Wilde. You have worked independently and as a team to create your presentation board. You will have a chance to learn more about the Victorian Age as they are presented by each team to the class. 

Hope you have enjoyed the ride!

Credits

 

Read The Carterville Ghost

Audiobook

Group 1 Victorian Era: general overview                                

https://es.slideshare.net/sakirasci/general-overview-of-the-victorian-e…

https://es.slideshare.net/sakirasci/general-overview-of-the-victorian-e…

Group 2 Industrial Revolution and scientific progress

Group 3 Victorian society and class: general overview

Group 4 Victorian society as reflected in the novel: the English countryside in the late 19th century, ‘Old World’ England vs. ‘New World’ America

Group 5  Victorian literature: Oscar Wilde, his life and works & other important writers of the time.