Kent State WebQuest

Introduction

Courtesy of John Filo   

The days between May1st, 1970, and May 4th ,1970, were some that changed the lives of many people. There was a shooting at Kent State University that killed four students and wounded nine. That day many had gathered in protest of the bombing in Cambodia by America. Several things led up to this shooting. On May 1st ,1970, many students began and anti-war protest. On May 2nd the Mayor of Kent requested that the National Guard be sent to help maintain the protesting that was being held. The protestors had lit fire to the Reserve Officer Training Corps building and began to get more aggressive. The National Guard had to resort to tear gas to disperse the crowds. On May 3rd the protests continued and the National Guard tried to stop the protestors. On May 4th, 1970, when the rally began at noon the National Guard and the protestors had begun throwing back and forth. The National Guard began to fear the protestors so they open fired on the people protesting. Two of the people killed were not apart of the protest. This day changed Americas outlook on the Vietnam War. 

Task

Courtesy of Kent State University

In this task you will be writing a persuasive essay arguing as to whether or not the Kent State shooting is something that should or should not be taught in school. As a group decide if the event of the shooting belongs in the textbooks and should be remembered as a part of our history classes. During this task you will be researching to find our more information on the topic. Then you are to form your opinion and write a 1-2 paragraph essay to support your opinion. 

Courtesy of Kent State library

Process

Before starting the project please make sure that 2-3 of the people in your group have electronic devices that can be used to view online articles. 

 1. Please start by reading this non-biased article that was written by the New York Times very soon after the shooting took place. 

http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0504.html 

 

2. Your group needs to decide whether or not you think the Kent State is an important enough event that needs to be taught in schools and found in textbooks.

 

3. Once you have made your decision begin to do more research on the topic. The websites are provided below.

The purpose of this research is to find information that supports your argument. You are looking for details that show whether or not this shooting is an important part of our history. If your group thinks this should be taught during school search for parts of the event that you think people need to know about. Or if your group does not think it is important enough to be taught in schools look for details that show how minor this event was. The sites will help you no matter which side of the argument your group chooses. 

http://dept.kent.edu/sociology/lewis/lewihen.htm

 

http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0504.html

 

http://history.howstuffworks.com/history-vs-myth/kent-state.htm

 

http://www.businessinsider.com/ann-coulter-sean-hannity-kent-state-shootings-justified-thats-what-you-do-with-a-mob-2011-6

 

https://sites.google.com/site/jcorelis/kentstatereconsidered

 

4. If after doing more research your group decides that they cannot support their argument, your group is able to change their argument.

 

5. The next part of this project is to write a 1-2 paragraph essay that supports your argument. When writing this essay be sure that you state your opinion clearly. Then use some of the information you found during your research to support your argument. Your essay should be typed following MLA format. Use your group leader’s name when filling in the name part of your heading. Use the rest of your normal formatting for the heading. If you use sources outside the ones provided you must cite them in your essay. If you use the sites provided you do not have to cite them. You do mot need a Work Sited page.

*** If you need help forming your essay we have an essay format visual example below. You do not have to follow it. It is an example that you may or may not want to use. Ms. Sharpe has hard copies avalaible for your use. 

Evaluation

 

Exceptional

All points earned

Admirable

- 3 points

Developing

- 6 points

Improvement

-10 points

 

 

 

 

 

Use of Internet (Links provided)

Successfully uses suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance

Usually able to use suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.

Occasionally able to use suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance

Needs assistance or supervision to use suggested internet links and/or to navigate within these sites.

Web Quests

Tasks

Completed

All areas of the project were addressed and handled with a high degree of sophistication project is interesting and completed

The project is only partially completed. The project submitted demonstrates a great deal of though. (Between 75% and 100% complete)

The project is only partially completed. The project submitted demonstrates a moderate level of thought. (Between 50% and 75% complete)

The project is incomplete, and/or it is apparent that little effort went into the development o the project, and/or project is less than 50% complete.

Power point/ Publisher

Project- attractiveness

Makes excellent use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. to enhance the presentation.

Makes good use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. to enhance to presentation.

Makes use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. but occasionally these detract from the presentation content.

Use of font, color, graphics, effects etc. but these often distract from the presentation content.

Time use

Classroom time was used to work on the project conversation were not disruptive and focused on the work.

Classroom time was used to work on the project the majority of the time. Conversations were not disruptive and focused on the work.

Classroom time was used to work on the project the majority of the time, but conversations often were disruptive or did not focus on the work.

The student did not use classroom time to work on the project the majority of the time and/or was highly disruptive.

Grammar, Format, and Spelling

The final body of work was free of grammar, spelling, and formatting errors.

The final body of work had 1-2 errors related to grammar, spelling, and formatting errors

The final body of work had 3-5 grammars, spelling, and formatting errors.

The final body of work had major grammar, spelling, and formatting errors.
Conclusion

Courtesy of Kent State Library

Congradulations on finishing the WebQuest! We hope you enjoyde learning about the Kent State shooting and had fun while doing it. We hope that by completing this WebQuest you furthered your knowldege of what went on in the US during the Vietnam War. Hopefully this project will influence what you think should and should not be taught as a part of our US history. 

Credits