The Battle of Gettysburg Webquest

Introduction

You are about to embark on a journey--the journey of the Battle at Gettysburg! During this journey, you'll be learning about some important people and speeches! Does the Gettysburg Address sound familiar? How about Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, Clara Barton, or Ulysses S. Grant? If you answered yes, be prepared to extend your knowledge. If you answered no, get ready to fill your brain with knowledge!

Your job during this webquest will be to learn about Gettysburg, important people such as generals, and to read diary entries as if you were in someone else's shoes during this time!

The "task" tab will provide you with additional instructions. Be sure to start there!

On the "process" tab, you will find daily instructions laid out for you. This will come in handy-- if you forget my instructions, you can always refer to this tab!

If you want to see what I'm going to be grading you on, check the "evaluation" tab! I highly suggest you peek at this before submitting your work each day.

Good Luck! I can't wait to see your brains grow!

Task

Your job during this webquest will be to:

  • summarize Gettysburg, explain why it is important and considered a "turning point" in the war
  • compare and contrast Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant
  • read and become acquainted with the Gettysburg Address
  • discover who Clara Barton is and what role she played
  • read diary entries from soldiers, women, and African Americans then respond to 1 of the entries

Process

Day 1:

1. You should make sure your flipbook is made and looks like this.
2. Next, head over to this site and watch a video.
3. After the video, on the cover of your flipbook write one or two facts you found interesting from the video.

When you finish, please shut your computer down and return it to the cart. Then you may read silently or write in your writing notebook. Put your flipbook in your cubby.

Day 2:

1. Today, your work will take place on the "summary" section of your flipbook.
2. Explore at least 2 of the following links:

3. Explore this virtual tour and become familiar with people, weapons, and see statistics from the war.
4. After journeying through these sites, summarize Gettysburg by explaining why it is important, and some events that occured during the battles. Your summary should be at least 1 paragraph (with 7+ sentences!).

*Hint: If you are struggling with the paragraphs, I would suggest exploring more links!*

5. Before saying "I'm done" check the "evaluation" tab and be sure you've met my expectations!

When you finish, please shut your computer down and return it to the cart. Then you may read silently or write in your writing notebook. Put your flipbook in your cubby.

Day 3:

1. Today, we will be making a Venn Diagram. To see my expectations for this page, click here!

2. Explore the following sites to learn more about Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee:

3. Once you have your Venn Diagram finished, explore the next few pages on Clara Barton. Be sure you gain enough information to answer the question: Who was Clara Barton and why is she important?

4. Lastly, pop on over to this link and watch a video of the Gettysburg Address! Write down some thoughts about it if you need to, definitely be prepared for a discussion!

When you finish, please shut your computer down and return it to the cart. Then you may read silently or write in your writing notebook. Put your flipbook in your cubby.

Day 4:

1. Today, we're going to write letters. If you need another review, please raise your hand to ask me!
2. Journey through the following sites and read diaries from soldiers, women, and African Americans:

3. Pick one of the diaries you found most interesting. Write a letter back to that person as if you were his/her best friend.
4. When you're finished, take this virtual tour of current-day Gettysburg! (SO COOL, DON'T MISS OUT!)

When you're finished, please check the "Evaluation" tab and your flipbook. Be sure your name is on your flipbook and bring it to me! Once it's turned in, you may shut down your computer and return it to the cart. Then, begin a quiet activity.

Evaluation

What I'm Expecting:

To receive an "Exceptional" grade you'll need...

  • The title of flipbook and name on the front cover
  • One or two facts on the front cover
  • A detailed summary with 7 or more sentences about the Battle of Gettysburg
  • A complete Venn Diagram with at least 5 differences for Grant AND Lee and at least 3 similiarities between the two.
  • A statement about Clara Barton that describes who she was, what she did, and why she is important.
  • A letter written in a response to a diary entry chosen by you!
    • The letter should be proofread and punctuated with minimal spelling errors
  • Participation during whole class discussions

To receive a "Good" grade you'll need...

  • The title of flipbook and name on the front cover
  • One or two facts on the front cover
  • A detailed summary with 6 or less sentences about the Battle of Gettysburg
  • A Venn Diagram with 4 differences and 2 similarities
  • A statement about Clara Barton that leaves out one of the following: who she was, what she did, and why she is important
  • A letter written in a response to a diary entry chosen by you!
    • The letter is proofread and missing punctuation with more than 3 spelling errors.

To receive an "Average" grade you'll need...

  • The title of flipbook on the front cover
  • A summary that misses main details and that has less than 5 sentences
  • A Venn Diagram with less than 4 differences and 2 similiarities
  • A statement about Clara Barton that only addresses one of her roles in the war.
  • A letter written in a response to a diary entry chosen by you!
    • This letter is not proofread, and misses punctuation and has 3 or more spelling errors.

To receive a "Needs Improvement" grade you'll need...

  • A summary that misses main details and has 4 or less sentences.
  • A Venn Diagram with 2 or less differenences and similarities
  • A letter written in a response to a diary entry chosen by you!
    • This letter is not proofread, misses punctuation and has multiple spelling errors.

Conclusion

CONGRATULATIONS!

You made it! You did it! You completed the WebQuest!

Does the Gettysburg Address ring a bell now? How about Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, and Clara Barton? Could you explain them to your parents tonight? How about to a friend from another class tomorrow? That's my challenge to you-- educate someone else from the knowledge you learned from this activity! Knowledge is something that can never be taken away from you!

I am so proud of the accomplishments you made throughout this WebQuest. I hope you enjoyed it! Great job, fifth grade! I look forward to reading your flipbooks and learning more about The Battle of Gettysburg with you.

Credits

Resources used:

http://cdn.civilwar.org/gettysburg360/
http://www.nps.gov/anti/learn/education/upload/Letters%20and%20Diaries%…
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1999-05-05/news/9905040682_1_hardma…
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/nchist-civilwar/4641
http://www.pacivilwar.com/histories.html
http://www.teachertube.com/video/abraham-lincoln039s-gettysburg-address…
http://www.history.com/topics/womens-history/clara-barton
http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/biographies/clara-barton.html
http://www.biography.com/people/clara-barton-9200960
https://francishistory.wikispaces.com/Robert+E+Lee+%26+Ulysses+S+Grant
http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/appomattox-courthouse/appomattox-c…
http://mrkash.com/activities/grant&lee.html
http://www.vahistorical.org/collections-and-resources/virginia-history-…
http://blog.constitutioncenter.org/2015/04/10-fascinating-facts-about-r…
http://www.ducksters.com/history/battle_of_gettysburg.php
http://www.army.mil/gettysburg/flash.html
http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-gettysburg
http://www.teachertube.com/video/the-battle-of-gettysburg-91058

Teacher Page

West Virginia's Content Standards:

  • ELA.5.R.C8.1 – read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension
  • ELA.5.W.C11.2 – recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digit sources; summarize or paraphrase information in notes and finished work and provide a list of sources
  • 21C.O.5-8.1.TT.9 -- Student uses telecommunications tools (e.g., email, web pages, blogs, discussion groups, list-servs, etc.) to learn academic content and to gather, share and publish information to various audiences.
  • SS.5.H.CL1.3 -- summarize key battles, strategies and turning points of the Civil War (e.g., Fort Sumter, Antietam, Gettysburg, other regional battles and the surrender at Appomattox.)
  • SS.5.H.CL1.4 -- compare the roles and accomplishments of historic figures of the Civil War (e.g., Abraham Lincoln, Emancipation Proclamation, Gettysburg Address, Ulysses S. Grant, Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, Clara Barton and Frederick Douglass.)
  • SS.5.H.CL1.5 -- explain the impact of the Civil War's physical destruction on the nation and the people (e.g., soldiers, women, African Americans, and the civilian population, etc.)

Why I Chose This Topic:

I chose this topic because Gettysburg is somewhere that I like to visit often. I love the history associated with the area and paying respects at the National Cemetary. Also, living in West Virginia, the Civil War is very important and relevant so the overall topic of learning about the Civil War just made sense. My favorite part of using this technology was the ability to use a virtual tour of current-day Gettysburg. I hope my students enjoy the interactive WebQuest as much as I did making it.

About Me:

My name is Renae Kuhn. I am a student at West Virginia University majoring in Elementary Education with a specialization in Early Childhood. I am from Bruceton Mills, WV which is about 30 minutes from Morgantown. Currently, I am doing my student teaching in a fifth grade classroom at Mountainview Elementary in Sabraton, WV. While this keeps me busy, I also accepted a nanny job three months ago. I'm very happily employed caring for a four year old boy and two twin baby girls who are now two months old. When I manage to have free time, I enjoy traveling, fishing, hunting, and spending time with family and friends.