History Of Halloween
Teacher Page

A WebQuest for 6th Grade

Designed by

Brandi Lackey
bllackey@eiu.edu

 

 

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

 


Introduction

This web quest is the result of a project in my Edu. 2022 class at Eastern Illinois University.  I thought that the history of Halloween along with the background of a few famous figures associated with Halloween would be fun for the students to learn about.  This web quest is intended to not only teach the students about the history of Halloween but to also touch on their creative skills by requiring them to write their own spooky Halloween story at the end.  This is a fun way for students to learn a little history.

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Learners

This web quest is designed to be used with 6th grade students.  It is designed to teach them some fun information about history and also encourage them to be creative in writing.  They will need to research history and answer questions on a worksheet about the research they have done.  They will also need to write a story at the end using correct grammar and spelling.

The students using this web quest will need to be able to proficiently write using correct grammar and spelling.  The students will also need to be familiar with using the internet in order to do some of the research required in this project.

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Curriculum Standards

During this lesson the students will be using several of the Illinois learning standards.  Listed below are the standards which will be used during this project:

Social Science:

·        16.A.3b Appy the skills of historical analysis and interpretation.

English Language Arts

·        3.A.3 Use correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization and structure.

·        3.C.3 Communicate ideas in writing to accomplish a variety of purposes.

·        5.A.3a Locate, organize, and use information from various sources to answer questions, solve problems and communicate ideas.

 

This lesson will focus on the students learning a piece of history that they would not normally learn in an everyday history class.  The students will also have to use their creative thinking and writing skills to write a creative story at the end of the lesson.  There will be a worksheet that they have to complete using the research that they did, this worksheet will be completed in groups, so the students will also have to use their teamwork skills in order to complete this.

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Process

Below are the instructions that I have given the students.  I will be breaking them up into groups prior to giving them the web quest to complete.  This particular webquest will take 3 to 4 days depending on how much class time is allowed to work in it. 

 

1.      You will be divided into 3 groups.  Each group will have their own special topic to research and several tasks to complete.

2.      You will want to use the links I have provided to do your research on the topic that I have given your group.  After your group has completed all their research I would like each group to give a short presentation on each topic.  Be creative during this presentation; dress up, draw pictures or posters, or if your group has any other creative ideas as to how to present your topic just check with me first.  I’m open to any ideas or suggestions, I just want everyone to be as creative as they can.

3.      After the presentations you will need to answer the questions that I have posted about each topic presented.  I will have these posted before each presentation, so please be sure to look at these before hand and include them in your presentation.

4.      Now for the final step in this web quest…… each person will need to write his/her own ghost/Halloween story.  You can choose whatever Halloween or ghost theme that you want, but be sure to be as creative as you can.  I want this to be fun for each of you… so let your imaginations run wild and try to write a Halloween story everyone will enjoy.

5.      After each person has turned in their Halloween story we will then compile all these stories into our new 6th grade Halloween story book.

 

To view the worksheet that will need to be completed please click HERE.

 

To view the answer key for the worksheet please click HERE.

 

 

Variations

The lesson could have several variations.  These variations could be anything from changing what the final project is to not putting them in groups.  They could be asked to draw a poster or construct a pumpkin or any other activity involving Halloween.  The could also be asked to do the research independently and then write a summary on what they learned.  There are several different ways this lesson could be carried out.  


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Evaluation

Listed below is the Rubric that I used when evaluating the students throughout this lesson.  They are not only graded on their research work in groups but also on their creativity. 

 

 

CATEGORY

4

3

2

1

Plan for Organizing Information

Students have developed a clear plan for organizing the information as it is gathered and in the final research product. All students can independently explain the planned organization of the research findings.

Students have developed a clear plan for organizing the information in the final research product. All students can independently explain this plan.

Students have developed a clear plan for organizing the information as it is gathered. All students can independently explain most of this plan.

Students have no clear plan for organizing the information AND/OR students in the group cannot explain their organizational plan.

Delegation of Responsibility

Each student in the group can clearly explain what information is needed by the group, what information s/he is responsible for locating, and when the information is needed.

Each student in the group can clearly explain what information s/he is responsible for locating.

Each student in the group can, with minimal prompting from peers, clearly explain what information s/he is responsible for locating.

One or more students in the group cannot clearly explain what information they are responsible for locating.

Props

Group uses several props (could include costume) that show considerable work/creativity and which make the presentation better

Group uses 1 prop that shows considerable work/creativity and which make the presentation better.

Group uses 1 prop which makes the presentation better

The group uses no props OR the props chosen detract from the presentation.

Creativity

The story contains many creative details and/or descriptions that contribute to the reader's enjoyment. The author has really used his imagination

The story contains a few creative details and/or descriptions that contribute to the reader's enjoyment. The author has used his imagination.

The story contains a few creative details and/or descriptions, but they distract from the story. The author has tried to use his imagination.

There is little evidence of creativity in the story. The author does not seem to have used much imagination.

 

 

 

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Conclusion

This lesson helps put a little bit fun into learning history.  By doing this web quest the students are able to take to celebrate a favorite holiday and learn at the same time.  The lesson not only teaches the students about the history of Halloween but also allows them to be creative and incourage them to use their imagination when writing their story.  The students can use this lesson to practice their creative writing and have fun while doing it.

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Credits & References

http://www.pumpkincarving101.com/pumpkin_carving_history.html

http://www.pumpkin-patch.com/

http://www.thehistorychannel.com/

http://www.jack-o-lantern.com/

 

http://www.davisenterprise.com/articles/2005/11/13/news/061new0.txt/

 

www.flamingtext.com

 

http://office.microsoft.com/clipart/default.aspx?lc=en-us

 


Last updated on August 15, 1999. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page