A Piggy Theme Park Designed by You:
A Day
No Pigs Would Die
WebQuest
By Ms. Moren and Ms. Puliafico
Ware High School Grade 8
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Introduction:
Is
nothing sacred?
Not even a cow? Or a pig, for that matter? If you're one of
the many people outraged that Elvis Presley's musical genius is being
cheapened by the millions of tourists flocking to Graceland, you'd better sit
down. The exploitation of artists by the theme park industry is
just getting worse by the minute. Graceland's Corn-"Hound
Dog" carts and "Jailhouse Rock" climbing walls were just the
beginning. Theme parks like Dollywood threaten
to tarnish the images of serious songwriters and performers who deserve better
legacies than snow-cone booths and tee-shirt
stands. As shocking as it was to hear that Courtney Love is set to
open the Kurt Cobain Nevermind Ranch in 2008, you will be even more
disturbed by the latest news. Bulltam Doubtleday, the current
owners of the rights to Robert Newton Peck's classic novel A Day No Pigs Would Die, are
planning to open a theme park in Learning, Vermont, no later than
September 2010. What can you do? Glad you asked...
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Task:
Working alone, or with one or two classmates, you will
research background information on the novel A Day No Pigs Would Die, and its
author, Robert Newton Peck. Using this information, you will
design a theme park proposal that you will present to the class. Let's face it, this theme park is going to happen with or
without you--there's just too much demand from Apron and Pinky
fans. The least you can do is make sure it's done with accuracy,
class, and respect for Peck's work. The least your
teachers can do is try to make some cash to share with you off your great ideas by selling
them to Bulltam Doubtleday.
This WebQuest involves research skills, summarizing,
applying information to perform a task, and oral presentation, which are all
part of the
Massachuestts English Language Arts Curriculum Frameworks for grade 8.
Process:
Step Two:
Create a theme park proposal based on your research.
Your proposal must include at least five different rides or attractions with
titles, illustrations, and descriptions. It may take the form of a
POWERPOINT presentation, a PUBLISHER brochure, or a poster. Up to three students may hand in one proposal.
PowerPoint and Publisher are both available on the school computers.
Google Image Search is also helpful if you want to branch out from the
regular clip art. Your presentation must include a map of the park as
well as descriptions of each featured ride or attraction. In addition, a
scaled, 3-D model of one of the rides must be presented to the class.
Step Three:
Present
your proposal to the class. If you made a powerpoint presentation
or brochure, make sure you save your most finished version in your
computer lab folder. If you made a poster, make sure that it gets
to class on the due date and that it isn't rolled up or damaged.
Either way, rehearse your presentation and act like you are selling
your ideas based on their value as accurate AND entertaining
representations of your research.
Sample
Brochure | Sample PowerPoint
Evaluation:
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1--Unsatisfactory
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3--Proficient
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5--Excellent
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Research
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The student
did not complete some or all of the WebQuest summaries. |
The student
completed and handed in WebQuest summaries of at least five sentences
each. |
The student did a
thorough and detailed job on all WebQuest summaries.
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Project
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The final
project was incomplete, sloppy, and/or had fewer than five
different attractions with titles, descriptions, and illustrations. |
The final
project included at least five different
attractions with titles, descriptions, and illustrations.
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The final
group project included more than five attractions and/or had
especially creative titles, illustrations, and/or descriptions.
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Project Research
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The final group
project did not show evidence of research in the theme park design. |
The final
group project incorporated evidence of research
into some of the attractions in the theme park design. |
The
final group project incorporated evidence of accurate and detailed research
into every one of the attractions in the theme park design. |
Presentation
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The presentation was too short
or too long, was unclear, was inappropriate, and/or did not mention at
least five facts learned from the research.
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The presentation was one to
three minutes long, was clear and appropriate, and mentioned at least
five facts learned from the research. |
The presentation was appropriate
in length, was entertaining, professional, and educational, and
mentioned more than five interesting facts from the research.
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20=A+ 18=A
16=A- 14=B 12=B- 10=C 8=C- 6=D 4=F
Conclusion:
Congratulations on putting together a fantastic theme park proposal!
Your teachers will surely contact you if we make any serious cash from
marketing your ideas to the folks in Learning, Vermont. Until then, the background information you gleaned from
your research will help you understand the novel A Day No Pigs Would Die and the
research and presentation skills you've acquired in this WebQuest will
be useful throughout your Ware High School career and
beyond!
Extensions:
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Checklist for Project |
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Area |
Completed |
Turned in |
| Research: Five to Six Sentence Summaries for each
topic |
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Shakers |
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Vermont |
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Animals |
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Abner Doubleday |
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Rutland Fair/Vemont State Fair |
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Author |
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Goiters |
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The Great Depression |
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Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys |
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Butchers |
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Amusement Park History |
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| Visual Presentation |
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Ride/Attraction Descriptions |
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Ride/Attraction Illustrations |
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Map of Park including featured attractions |
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| 3-D Scaled Model of a ride |
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Important Information:
Please remember that neatness is important. Your
work should be presented free of folds and creases.
You will be given time in school to use the computers, but all work will not
be able to be completed in school.
Choose your partners carefully, you want people who will work and who can meet
with you outside of school.
Summaries should be bound together either with a staple or in a folder (each
person will receive a seperate grade for their summaries).
Ms. Puliafico has a limited amount of supplies for the 3-D Scaled model of the
ride and of folders.
If you want a brochure printed in color please see Ms.
Puliafico at least a day before your presentation.
Both Ms. Moren and Ms. Puliafico are available after school. If you need
help ask one of us.
