Introduction
Like his father and grandfather before him, Kino is a poor diver, gathering pearls from the gulf beds that once brought great wealth to the Kings of Spain and now provide Kino, Juana, and their infant son with meager subsistence. Then, on a day like any other, Kino emerges from the sea with a pearl as large as a sea gull's egg, as "perfect as the moon." With the pearl comes hope, the promise of comfort and of security....
A story of classic simplicity, based on a Mexican folk tale, The Pearl explores the secrets of man's nature, the darkest depths of evil, and the luminous possibilities of love.
Task
In this Web Quest your goal is to acquire background information to better prepare you for our reading of The Pearl. Your task is to find information about La Paz, Mexico (which is the setting of the book), social structures in 19th century Mexico, scorpions, and pearl diving.
- We will be able to gather information to prepare for a reading of The Pearl.
- We will be able to synthesize this information into a coherent piece of writing.
- We will be able to present this poster to the class.
Your overall task is to create a poster that will help your classmates understand more about the book. You will work individually to respond thoughtfully to each question. You will then work in groups to compile pictures and the information you gathered onto a poster in a neat and creative way. Finally, you will present your poster and explain it to the class. You will be evaluated two ways: individually and as a group. The poster presentation will be on Monday, October 10.
Process
Option 1: The Setting - La Paz, Mexico
Click on the links below, read the information and, on your paper, type the answers to the questions in complete sentences. Do NOT copy and paste, your answers must be in your own words.
The Setting and History of Mexico
http://www.bajatravel.com/Baja California
http://www.explorandomexico.com/state/2/Baja-California/geography/
http://www.lapazinsider.com/la-paz-history.asp
http://www.virtualmex.com/baja-mexico.htm
Blank Map (HINT: print off this map and fill in mountain ranges, oceans, etc.)
https://books.google.com/books?id=a2squR-0gzEC&pg=PA533&lpg=PA533&dq=residents+of+la+paz+mexico+call+themselves&source=bl&ots=6YvLzScW2D&sig=7lrXbPycIHpkuakPHVnLGmq8vTc&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjm8P7vncTPAhVh44MKHUezDrYQ6AEIQjAH#v=onepage&q=residents%20of%20la%20paz%20mexico%20call%20themselves&f=false
The novel’s setting is La Paz, Mexico
1. Where is La Paz located? Locate it on a map. Make a copy or draw the map.
2. What is the geography of La Paz?
a. What bodies of water surround it? List all of them and label them on the map.
b. What mountains exist? List the names of the mountains and label them on the map.
c. What is the terrain like?
3. What is the climate like?
4. Who first discovered and founded La Paz? What was it originally named?
5. What do the locals of La Paz call themselves?
6. What attracted Cortez to La Paz? Up until 1720, who were the only people to visit La Paz?
Option 2: Social Structure in Colonial Mexico
Click on the links below, read the information and, on your paper, type the answers to the questions in complete sentences. Do NOT copy and paste, your answers must be in your own words.
http://www.countriesquest.com/north_america/mexico/history/colonial_mexico/race_and_social_class.htm
http://www.fsmitha.com/h3/h26la4.htm
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/mexico/history-3-4.htm
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/55/05/ae/5505aee481e7fc0bb096ef7533da0c71.jpg
1. What was the highest social class in colonial Mexico? The second highest?
2. Why weren't Indians allowed to be educated?
3. What social class was below the Criollos? What other classes of people did the Mestizos compete with for jobs?
4. What types of jobs did the Criollos have?
5. How were people in the Gauchupine classes characterized? What kinds of jobs did they hold?
6. Describe how each of the below social classes were characterized:
a. peninsulares
b. creoles
c. mestizos
d. enslaved persons
Option 3: Scorpions
Click on the links below, read the information and, on your paper, type the answers to the questions in complete sentences. Do NOT copy and paste, your answers must be in your own words.
http://www.desertusa.com/oct96/du_scorpion.html
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/scorpion-stings/basics/treatment/con-20033894
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/bugs/scorpion/
http://geo-mexico.com/?p=4593 (Must read this off the paper copy)
1. What do they look like? Include a picture of a scorpion.
2. What are the three most common types found in the southwest? Briefly describe each:
a. Arizona Hairy Scorpion
b. Bark Scorpion
c. Devil Scorpion
3. What do they eat? How do they hunt their prey?
4. How many species of scorpions are there? How many are dangerous enough to kill a person?
5. Are they dangerous to humans? Why or why not? What age group is most likely to die from a scorpion sting?
6. What should people do if they encounter a scorpion? What if a person is stung?
Option 4: Pearl Diving
Click on the links below, read the information and, on your paper, type the answers to the questions in complete sentences. Do NOT copy and paste, your answers must be in your own words.
http://traveltips.usatoday.com/pearl-diving-mexico-16127.html
http://www.bajainsider.com/article/history-pearling-la-paz
http://nymag.com/nymetro/urban/strategist/everything/pearls/11860/
http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/pearls/obtaining-pearls/gathering-pearls
1. What dangers did pearl divers face in Mexico?
2. What kinds of people were pearl divers?
3. Describe the pearl diving process in the mid-19th century. What were the best times of the year to dive for pearls?
4. What are the bends?
5. Why were the pearls found by the Mexican natives black?
6. Briefly describe each of the ways pearls are judged:
a. shape
b size
c. color
d. luster
e. orient
Evaluation
|
|
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Use of Internet |
Successfully uses all suggested Internet links to find information. |
Uses most of the suggested Internet links to find information.
|
Uses a few of the suggested Internet links to find information.
|
Does not uses suggested Internet links to find information. |
|
Tasks |
All parts of the questions are answered. Uses academic writing consistently throughout. |
Most of the questions are answered. Uses academic writing most of the time. |
A few of the questions are answered. Sometimes uses academic writing. |
Very few or none of the questions are answered. Does not attempt to use academic writing. |
|
Research |
All questions are answered thoughtfully and a high level of student effort is present. |
Most questions are answered thoughtfully and student effort is present. |
Some questions are answered thoughtfully and some student effort is present. |
Very few questions are answered thoughtfully and student effort is lacking. |
|
Grammar/Mechanics |
Very few (0-3) grammar and/or mechanics mistakes are found. |
Few (4-6) grammar and/or mechanics mistakes are found. |
Some (7-9) grammar and/or mechanics mistakes are found. |
Many (10+) grammar and/or mechanics mistakes are found. |
Total: 16x2=_________/32
|
|
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Presentation |
Information is presented in an organized way and is easy to understand. |
Information is mostly organized and is easy to understand. |
Information is somewhat organized and is mostly easy to understand. |
Information is not organized and is confusing to the audience. |
|
Poster |
Poster is visually organized, easy to understand, and visually appealing. |
Poster is mostly organized, easy to understand, and is visually appealing. |
Poster is somewhat organized, mostly understandable, and is visually appealing. |
Poster is not organized, is hard to understand, and not very visually appealing. |