The Outsiders WebQuest

Introduction

What was it like being a teenager in the 1960s? What was it like living in Tulsa, Oklahoma? You will be exploring these questions and additional topics in a webquest to help you better understand The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. 

Task

Your task is to gain knowledge of the early to mid-1960s culture, current events, and day-to-day life in order to better understand and connect with the characters in The Outsiders. You will work with a partner to create a Google Slide presentation. You will have 2 class periods to complete this assignment.  

Process

  • Slide 1) Create a Google Slide presentation in this assignment on Google Classroom. Insert 12 slides into the presentation. Title the firsts slide “The Outsiders Webquest” and list your names.  

  • Slide 2) Find and insert a map of the United States. 

    • Locate Oklahoma. Insert an arrow pointing to Oklahoma on the map. (Under insert shape)  

    • Locate Tulsa. Insert a star in its location.

    • Explore the Travel Oklahoma Website  

      • List 5 interesting facts you learned about the state.

  • Slide 3) What is a Madras shirt? 

    • Insert a picture of a madras shirt and label the picture.

    • In your own words, describe what a madras shirt is.

      • Where type of material is it made from?

      • Where does the material come from?

      • What makes the madras shirt “so madras”? (See last section of the article)   

  • Slide 4) Find and insert a picture of a 50's/60's male pompadour. Label the picture.  

  • Slide 5) Find pictures of a Corvair and a Mustang. Insert and label each picture.

  • Slide 6)  Read this biography of S.E. Hinton. 

    • Insert a picture of her from the 1960s (Do NOT use the picture in the biography)

    • List three facts about S.E. Hinton that you found interesting. 

    • Explore S.E.Hinton’s website. 

      • Which of her books would you want to read? Why?

      • Read S.E. Hinton’s comments on her movies. Choose two movies and explain in your own words one interesting fact from S. E. Hinton's comments for each movie.

  • Slide 7) Who was Paul Newman?

    • Insert a picture of a “young” Paul Newman from the 1960s. 

    • Write a brief (4-6 sentence) summary about Paul Newman. Include:

      • What are some of Paul Mewman’s films that were popular in the mid 1960s? 

      • What was Paul Newman known for in his later life?

      • What famous actor would you compare him to today? Why?

  • Slide 8) Who was Elvis Presley? 

    • Insert a picture of Elvis from the 1960s (Do not use the picture from this website). 

    • Write a 4-5 sentence description of who he was and what he did. 

    • Watch this video of Elvis Presley on The Ed Sullivan Show. Why do you think many teenagers idolized him? 

  • Slide 9) Who were the Beatles? 

    • Insert a picture of the Beatles from the 1960s (Do not use the picture from this website). 

    • List 3 interesting facts you learned about them.

    • Are there any members of the Beatles that are still alive? If so, who and how old are they?   

    • Watch this music video of The Beatles. Why do you think many teenagers were obsessed with them? 

  • Slide 10) Use this link or other websites to find information on “Greasers.” Write a paragraph (5-6 sentences) explaining who the Greasers were and what their style was like. Include a picture. You must summarize in your own words.  

  • Slide 11) List 5 popular movies from the early to mid-1960s. Include an image for each movie. 

  • Slide 12) List 5 commonly used items and their prices in the 1960’s.

Evaluation

The Outsiders WebQuest Rubric

Criteria

Above and Beyond

4

Meeting Expectations

3

Not Yet...

2

More work is needed

1

Understanding of the 1960s 

The presentation demonstrates a strong understanding of life and culture in the 1960s.

The presentation demonstrates a sufficient understanding of life and culture in the 1960s.

The presentation demonstrates some understanding of life and culture in the 1960s.

The presentation demonstrates minimal understanding of of life and culture in the 1960s.

Requirements  

 

The presentation includes all required slides and information on each slide. 

The presentation includes all required slides and most information on each slide.

The presentation includes at least half of the  required slides and information on each slide.

The presentation is missing several slides and significant information on each slide.

Expression of Ideas 

Writing is clear and understandable. Consistent, strong control of grammar, usage and mechanics.

Writing is clear and understandable. Errors do not interfere with communication and/or few errors in sentence structure, grammar, usage, and mechanics.

Writing is mostly understandable. Errors interfere somewhat with communication and/or many errors in sentence structure, grammar, usage, and mechanics

Writing is difficult to understand. Errors interfere with communication and/or too many errors in sentence structure, grammar, usage, and mechanics

Time, Effort, and Collaboration



 

The presentation is of exceptional quality and demonstrates best effort, use of time, and collaboration.

The presentation is of sufficient quality and demonstrates effort, use of time, and collaboration.

The presentation is of less than sufficient quality and demonstrates some effort, use of time, and collaboration.

The presentation does not demonstrate effort, use of time, and collaboration.



Total _____ / 16

Conclusion

Now that you have a solid understanding of what life was like in the 1960s, you are ready to join Ponyboy on his journey to understanding the value of family, friendships, and “staying gold.” As you read, walk in Ponyboy’s shoes. How do you see his world? How are his experiences similar to yours? How are they different? And lastly, 55 years after The Outsiders was published, why do you think the novel still resonates with teenagers today?

Credits