Culture of WWII:

A WebQuest Exploration for Students Reading
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

A WebQuest for 6th Grade

agiblin@suscom-maine.net

Introduction

How would your life be different if you woke up tomorrow as a part of a Jewish family in Denmark in 1942?

In this WebQuest, you will explore the Internet to collect information about your "new life". You will need to understand the culture of your new society. You will also need to be able to identify events happening in Denmark (and Europe) in the 1940s. You will then be asked to compare your new life with life in Gray, Maine in 2004.

Task

The Year: 1942

The Historical Backdrop: WWII Europe

The Place: Denmark

Your Role: You will be stepping back in history to explore Denmark as a twelve-year old during WWII. You will be an online detective collecting information about your new life. By answering the red, bold questions below, you will gain an understanding of the the "new" world around you.

In order to return to Gray, Maine you will compare your "new life" with your 2004 life. You will need to create a product to document the similarities and differences between your 1942 and 2004 lives. You will then reflect on your findings by writing a journal entry to state your conclusions

Process

1. What was happening in Europe in 1942?

To begin your work, you must explore the 1942 world you are currently living in. You will gain an understanding of events occurring in and around Denmark. You will need to explore the following history portals to gain knowledge. Please keep an investigative notebook handy to jot down at least ten important facts that explain how these "current" events effect citizens of Europe. The purpose of this investigation is to have a basic understanding of the events of the Second World War. Please record the date of each event.

Please investigate these sources:

Glossary of Terminology -- Please begin your investigation by visiting this page. Please listen to the audio clips provided for each term. Read the brief term descriptions to increase your WWII vocabulary. You may want to bookmark this site and return to look up terms while you investigate.

Beginning of WWII -- This page describes the events leading up to WWII.

World War II in Europe -- Next, please visit this page. Read the brief overview of WWII.

World War II Timeline -- Please visit this timeline. Click on the links to view details about events of interest. Don't forget to record your facts and the dates!

Pictures of the War -- Visit this page to view pictures from the War.

You may also choose to investigate the sources below:

Holocaust Encyclopedia -- Basic information about the role of Germany in the War.	World War II Links -- Visit this site to connect to many categorized sites on events during WWII.
The War Before Pearl Harbor This site hosts many audio clips pertaining to WWII. Visit this site and listen to the news of the day.	BBC: The Day the War Began -- Visit this site to view WWII newspaper headlines.

You may wish to select a specific event to read about and
search for more information .

2. What was the Holocaust?

Now that you have a basic understanding of current events in the 1940's, you will research the Holocaust. In your investigation notebook, please list words or phrases that help explain how European citizens were affected by the Holocaust.

Please investigate these sources:

Jewish life in Europe before the Holocaust -- Learn about life in the years before the Holocaust.

Nazi Racism -- Please visit this site to read about the racism that fueled the Holocaust.

Origins of the Holocaust -- A site that explores the roots of the Holocaust.

Holocaust Timeline -- Visit this timeline. Click on the links to gather more information.

Visit the sites below to learn about the history of the Holocaust and the struggles of groups that lived during that time:

Violence Against Jews -- Details about violence against Jews in Germany.	Victims of the Holocaust Learn about the victims of the Holocaust.
Holocaust Encyclopedia -- Another site with detailed information on the Holocaust.	Holocaust Memorial Center Information Center on the Holocaust

On Every Day Since -- Visit this site to view photographs of a concentration camp.

3. What was daily life like for children in Europe (Denmark) in 1942?

Your life in 1942 is very different from your life in 2004. Please create an illustration of a Jewish child in 1942 in your investigative notebook. Make sure to illustrate many pertinent details (consider: clothing, surroundings, facial expression) about your life in Europe. Also, consider the dangers Jewish children faced in Nazi-occupied countries.

Star of David

Please investigate these biographies of children during the Holocaust:

BBC: Children of WWII	Children in Times of War: Florence	Children in Times of War: Jean
Food Rationing	Anne Frank	The Soapmaker

Also, read about...

The Soapmaker -- Visit this site to learn about the life of Leonard Lerer.

Abe's Story -- Story of a 16-year-old boy during the Holocaust.

Suggested clicking:

Museum of Tolerance -- Visit this site to view a list of biographies of children during the Holocaust.

4. What is daily life like for you?

Take a moment and reflect on your 2004 life in Gray, Maine. What challenges and dangers do you face everyday? In your investigative journal, brainstorm a list of characteristics of your 2004 life. What does your everyday experience look like? Either create a journal entry describing your daily life, OR create an illustration of yourself including pertinent details of your life in 2004.

5. How are your 2004 and 1942 lives similar?
How are they different?

Comparison:

Compare your "two lives" by choosing one of the methods below. Please make sure to include as many facts as possible to demonstrate the similarities and differences between your "lives".

You may create....

A Venn Diagram
A Written Debate
A T-Chart to Compare Aspects of Life
A Product of Your Own (Please check with teacher before starting.)

Criteria for assessment are listed below. You may choose to complete your assignment electronically or free-hand in final copy form.

Reflection:

After completing your comparison, please reflect on your learning. Please write a journal entry to demonstrate what you have learned in your investigative work and comparisons.

Your Prompts:

What was life like for a child in Denmark (Europe) during WWII?
What dangers would you face everyday?
How were some children able to survive?
How was that life different from 2004 life?

Please type your journal entry in Microsoft Word, and print your entry. You may incorporate pictures. Please cite the sources of your illustrations.

Denmark (1942) vs. Maine (2004)

Criteria for assessment are listed below.

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Evaluation

You will be evaluated based on the work you have completed in this WebQuest. You will be scored individually. Each component of the product has a separate indicator listed below. Please use this rubric in the creation of your products.

	Does Not Meet the Standard 1	Partially Meets the Standard 2	Meets the Standard 3	Exceeds the Standard 4
Historical accuracy: WWII Exploration	Student collects a limited amount of information. Much of the information is incorrect or false.	Most information collected is correct and factual.	All information collected is correct and factual (10 facts).	All information collected is correct and factual. Student has exceeded the standard by including additional pertinent information.
MLR: (Gr. 5-8) Social Studies History B.1. Demonstrate an understanding of selected themes in Maine, United States, and world history. As demonstrated in the engagement: Holocaust Words & Phrases.	Student has attempted to collect a list of words and phrases to describe the Holocaust. Information list is too limited to convey the culture of the Holocaust.	Student has collected a limited list of words and phrases that correctly describe life during the Holocaust.	Student has compiled a list of words and phrases that correctly describe life during the Holocaust.	Student has compiled a list of words and phrases that transport the reader to the time period. Student's list is comprehensive and complete.
Completeness of Child of 1942 Illustration	Student has created an illustration. Work is lacking pertinent details.	Student has created an illustration that documents life during WWII. Illustration minimally informs the audience; however, important details are forgotten.	Student has created an illustration that documents life during WWII. Audience is able to gather factual information from the illustration.	Student has created a creative and detailed drawing that documents life during WWII. From the work, the audience is able to understand many aspects of life during WWII.
MLR: (Gr. 5-8) Social Studies. History A.1. Describe the effects of historical changes on daily life. As demonstrated on the Comparison Product.	Student has created a product that does not clearly state similarities and differences between 1942 and 2004. Students work lacks accuracy and details.	Student had created a product that states some of the similarities and differences of life in 1942 and 2004. Work lacks details and/or is partially inaccurate.	Student has created a product that clearly states similarities and differences of life in 1942 and 2004. Student has included at least five significant similarities and five significant differences.	Student has created a product that clearly states similarities and differences of life in 1942 and 2004. Student has included more than five significant similarities and five significant differences.
WebQuest Reflection	Student has attempted to identify pertinent similarities and differences between life during the Holocaust and life in 2004. Student has inaccurately identified facts.	Student has identified some pertinent similarities and differences between life during the Holocaust and life in 2004.	Student has identified pertinent similarities and differences between life during the Holocaust and life in 2004. Student has identified the dangers faced by children in 1942 and has proposed a means of survival.	Student has identified pertinent similarities and differences between life during the Holocaust and life in 2004. Student has created a sophisticated work that explains the dangers faced by children in 1942. Student has proposed several means of survival.

Conclusion

Throughout this WebQuest, you have explored the world as it was just over 50 years ago. Hopefully, you were able to "walk in the shoes" of the children who lived during WWII and the Holocaust. The information you have collected should help you to empathize with the characters in Number the Stars by Lois Lowry.

When you have successfully completed the WebQuest, you may return to 2004. Take with you all the knowledge you have gained about this important time in our world's and country's history. Please use the knowledge you have gained to become an effective and compassionate citizen in 2004.

Possible Extensions:

Take time to engage in the activities on the BBC: Children of WWII page.
Explore search engines on the web to find additional information about WWII and/or the Holocaust.
Create a poster or a speech to share with other students what you have learned about WWII and/or the Holocaust.
Read The Devil's Arithmetic, The Upstairs Room, or another novel based in the 1940s in Europe. Compare the novel with Number the Stars and/or your own life.
Share your completed with work another student. Discuss the differences between your journal entries and comparison charts.
Watch the movie or read the Diary of Anne Frank. Reflect on Anne's life.

Credits & References

WebQuest designed to accompany:
Lowry, L. (1990). Number the stars. New York: Yealing Newbery.

Cover image of Number the Stars imported from Amazon.com.

Map of Denmark copied from http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/da.html.

All other artwork courtesy of Microsoft ClipArt (including Maine/Denmark photos).

Background courtesy of GRSites.com.

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Special thanks to Professor Garthwait, Rick Harriman, Sarah Shaw, Michelle Lemont and Tom Giblin for their advice and feedback throughout the creation of this webquest.

Permission is hereby granted for other educators to copy this WebQuest, update or otherwise modify it, and post it elsewhere provided that the original author's name is retained along with a link back to the original URL of this WebQuest. On the line after the original author's name, you may add Modified by (your name) on (date). If you do modify it, please let me know and provide the new URL.

Last updated 08/03/2004. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page