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Culture of WWII:

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

A WebQuest for 6th Grade

Designed by Amanda Giblin

agiblin@suscom-maine.net

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Introduction | Learners | Standards | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits

Introduction

This lesson was developed during the summer of 2004 as a culminating assessment for EDT 525: Telecommunications in the K-12 Classroom originating from the University of Maine in Orono, Maine.

This WebQuest asks students to consider the following question: How would your life be different if you woke up tomorrow as a part of a Jewish family in Denmark in 1942? Students will explore the Internet to collect information about a "new life" in Europe in 1942. Students are asked to gain an understanding of the culture of their new society. Students are also asked to identify events happening in Denmark (and Europe) in the 1940s. Finally, students compare their new (1940s) life with life in their American hometown in 2004.

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Learners

This lesson is anchored in sixth grade social studies and involves language arts skills to lesser extent. The lesson is suitable for populations of students at any of the middle level grades (5-8).

Prior Knowledge Check

  • Before beginning the lesson, students should possess Internet investigation skills. Students will need to be able to mine the given sites for clues and details.
  • Students should have a basic understanding of trends in European history. Students should be aware of events leading up to WWII.
  • Students should be able to create Venn diagrams and other tools to compare sets of information.

Curriculum Standards

Social Studies Standards Addressed:

  • Maine Learning Results: (Gr. 5-8) Social Studies. History B.1. Demonstrate an understanding of selected themes in Maine, United States, and world history.
  • Maine Learning Results: (Gr. 5-8) Social Studies. History A.1.Describe the effects of historical changes on daily life.

Additional Outcomes:

Students should be able to...

  • ...understand the setting and characters of Number the Stars by Lois Lowry.
  • ...create a comparison between their lives and the lives of children in Europe during WWII.
  • ...empathize with Jewish children during the Holocaust.
  • ...base their comparisons on factual information.
  • ...mine the Internet for useful information.
  • ...practice note taking skills.
  • ...demonstrate their ability to reflect upon given information.
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Process

Additional information for teachers has been provided in green type.

Time Requirements: Approximately three (80 minute) class periods. Two classes are designated for research; the other class should be used to complete the comparison and reflection.

Staff Requirements: At least one teacher with technological skills training to aid students in their WebQuest. Staff or volunteers to support teacher and students would be a helpful addition.
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.

Students may want to explore additional sources by utilizing a search engine:
You may wish to select a specific event to read about and
search for more information.


2. What was the Holocaust?


You may want to discuss the Holocaust with your students before they investigate on their own. Due to the mature subject matter, answering students' questions and addressing their concerns about the Holocaust should help students to understand and reflect upon this time.

 Now that you have a basic understanding of current events in 1942, 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 causes 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.
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.

There are no sites identified for this portion of the WebQuest. Teacher may refer students to sites about teens/pre-teens living in their region of the U.S.
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 site the sources of your illustrations.

Variations

Students could work in pairs or small groups on this WebQuest.

This WebQuest requires a great deal of reading. Some of the sites are more complex than others. If students are struggling readers, pairing students with a peer and requiring all students to read aloud may give all students the information they need to complete the WebQuest. Teachers may also preview the sites and encourage students to visit certain sites first to collect the majority of their information.

Audio sites and sites that feature images (instead of text) have been added to aid students with visual or auditory impairments. These sites will also be accessible to struggling readers.

Students who are struggling writers could cut and paste information collected into a Word document. Students could also create a final illustration for reflection (rather than the journal entry assigned).

This WebQuest could also be completed using text materials if technology is unavailable.

Students can design their own comparison assessment. Students can be encouraged to create a comparison device that suits their individual learning styles.

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Resources Needed

  • Internet-ready computer for each student
  • Investigation Notebook
  • Pen/Pencil
  • Paper copies of rubric for teacher assessment.

Optional Resources

  • Texts on WWII and the Holocaust for students to explore
  • Email accounts for students.
  • Examples of final products.
  • Paper copies of rubric for student self-assessment.
  • Parents and/or support staff to aid in Internet research.

Evaluation

Students will be evaluated based on the work they have completed in this WebQuest. Each student will be scored individually. Each component of the product has a separate indicator listed below. Students should refer to this rubric throughout the process. Students could be asked to self-assess their work using the rubric.

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 sophisticated 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.



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 and 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 updates 08/03/2004. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page