Cheryll's+Final+Local+History+Project

The American Revolution from Boston to the Poconos Through Our **EYES** A Webquest Utilizing Primary Sources to Produce Special News Reports


 * Introduction **

Have you ever felt like you were a part of history? Did you wonder what it was like to actually be present during a landmark historical event? For this particular webquest, we are going to study selected portions of the American Revolution. During this time period the American colonists were becoming unhappy with several of the taxes that were being placed on them by the British. Meanwhile, the British, who were in need of more money, saw the colonies as an extension of their country who should help pay the needed money. The British officers tried to enforce the King's laws, but the sneaky colonists planned events of rebellion. Should the colonists have obeyed the existing government and behaved? Or perhaps should the King not have taxed the colonists so much? You are going to make that decision and many more as you delve into the world of primary documents. = ** Task ** = Congratulations! You have just been hired by CNN! Your group of approximately 6 students will be be assigned a particular time period to study. After carefully analyzing your sources you will be required to take on the role of a News Reporter or News Analyst. After individual or pair analysis of the sources is completed, you will split your group in half. Half of your group will become the news team working on preparing the news report for the News at 5, while the other half will be working on creating an Analysts report on what caused the event and how you predict it will affect the future. At the end of the week you will present your actual live news report and analyst report to the class, and yes we will be videotaping it so dress nice!

The class will be broken into four different groups: //"It's Time to Party", "Let the Contest Begin", "Taking Sides"// and //"Let There Be Peace".// Each group will be required to research their specific areas and then report back their news report and news analyst to the whole group on what happened during their specific time period. Please follow the links for your appropriate time period in order to complete all the required tasks before reporting back to the class. Be sure to take good notes because you will be using specific information from the primary sources in your verbal reports. = ** Process ** =


 * **Step 1**: Individually or as a pair, fill out the Know and Want to Know sections of the attached KWLW Chart on what you know about the American Revolution. Click on the button to download the document and fill it out. Make sure that you save it!


 * **Step 2**: Think about whether you want to be a famous News Reporter in the field or a famous News Analyst at the station. News reporters will need to carefully analyze the primary sources that you are provided with and create a detailed professional live News Report to the class. News analysts will need to collect data from the sources, connect the information from all the sources and predict how the events in the sources will affect the future of American from that point in time. Think about your group members and as a group decide who would be stronger in each of the roles. Click on the following link for ideas on how to write an awesome news report: [|How to Write a News Story]. For ideas of what a News Analyst should be including in their report, read "What does a news analyst do" at [].


 * **Step 3**: Learn about the different types of resources and review worksheets that you will later use to help you analyze the primary resources. Click on Types of Resources


 * **Step 4**: Click on your assigned section below for specific directions for your time period.
 * It's Time to Party
 * Let the Contest Begin
 * Taking Sides
 * Let There Be Peace

** Suggestions **

//Resource Hint//: Use the documents on the Types of Resources page in order to analyze your Primary Sources to the full extent! If you need additional Graphic organizers to help you keep you connect the information, then check out [|Graphic Organizers]. //Map Hint//: If your are using your home computer, you may need to download additional viewers for the maps. Check out [|Lizard Tech]for some free viewers.

** Evaluation **

Please review the attached rubric thoroughly before completing your presentations! All of the requirements and how many points each section is worth are outlined there. Thanks!



** Conclusion ** Congratulations on completing the WebQuest! I hope you have gained a more thorough understanding not only of the American Revolution and the role that the Pocono Mountains played, but also in how primary sources can help you gain a better understanding of the individuals that created them and the events they experienced. Please feel free to share your presentations with your fellow students who are not in this class and your other teachers. Also, if you have any suggestions for improvements or additional sources you believe should be included, please email the author. Thanks again for completing this Webquest!

** Sources ** Bibliography