Name:  _______________________________________        Hr _______                          Date:  _____________

 

The FHS Arts & Communication Pathway

presents:

ON THE ROAD AGAIN - AN AMERICAN ODYSSEY

An Internet WebQuest on the Search for the American Identity

 

The Quest:            What is American?

How has the definition of "American" changed with the changes in our cultural diversity?

How do you define 'American' based upon personal experience and research?

 

Process and Internet Resources:       

Your first task is to explore and identify 10 Webpages that you think best personify what is meant by the term "American."  Identify these sites by their URL addresses on the lines below:

 

                1.  __________________________________________________________________

                2.  __________________________________________________________________

                3.  __________________________________________________________________

                4.  __________________________________________________________________

                5.  __________________________________________________________________

                6.  __________________________________________________________________

                7.  __________________________________________________________________

                8.  __________________________________________________________________

                9.  __________________________________________________________________

            10.  __________________________________________________________________

 

Phase One:                  America: Something for Everyone

Locate The Arts & Communications WebQuest (under teacher webquests on the FHS web site) then click and read The Washington Post article:  "One Nation, Indivisible: Is It History?"  to better understand the effects of the new demographics on American life. 

 

Now creatively answer and explore the 5 questions as fully and insightfully as you can.  (Each of your 100 words per question essay response should also features downloaded digital picture that captures the complexity of the 5 issues you are researching.)

 

        1. How has the notion that nationals from different countries can become Americans

             changed the field of Arts and Communications in America?

        2. How would you dispute the premise that 'this country can transform people of every color

             and background into one America?'

        3.     What do you perceive to be the glue that holds Americans together?

        4.     How will your background influence America?

        5.     Can you assess the value or importance of being an American?

 

 

Phase Two:                 America: Discovering Different Perspectives

 

Frank Deford Archive -

An archive of the Emmy award winning journalist that has been embraced as the most influential sports voice among members of the American print media and what GQ Magazine called 'the world's greatest sportswriter.'

1. What mark has Frank Deford made on sports print media?

2. What merit does the 'Let the Games Go On' article have in light of the September 11 tragedy?

 

Internet Resource Links -

A page that features great people and their contributions to society.

1.Complete the 25-question quiz.

 

Ida B. Wells - A biography of one of the most famous black female journalists in America.

1. How would you describe the early life of Ida B. Wells? (LA.A.2.4)

2. What facts would you select to show the consequences Wells paid for her struggles? (LA.A.2.4)

3. How would have Wells' life been different if she had not met Ferdinand Barnett? (LA.A.2.4)

4. Can you assess the importance of Wells' influence on the Civil Rights Movements today? (SS.A.5.4)

 

Primary Sources--

Baseball and World War II Letter to Kenesaw M. Landis from President Franklin D. Roosevelt January 15, 1942 Ð

1. What does the author mean when he claims 'so what am I going to say is solely personal and not an official point of view? (LA.A.2.4)

2. Describe the main idea of the article. (LA.A.2.4)

3. What would be a good title for the article? (LA.A.2.4)

4. Why does Roosevelt write this piece? (SS.A.5.4)

 

The History of American Theatre: - This article describes the origins, development, and major contributions to Theatre in America.

1. Examine the history of the American Theatre and classify the events that lead to its development. (TH.C.1.4.1)

2. What evidence can you find in this article that describes the struggle of early actors in America? (TH.C.1.4.1)

3. List and detail five (5) of the pioneers in the American Theatre movement and elaborate on their   contributions. (TH.E.1.4.5)

4. What facts can you compile regarding the struggles of the early American theatre movement? (TH.C.1.4.1)

 

Recognizing and Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month - Biographies of some Hispanic Americans who have made contributions and are being recognized for their accomplishments in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15).

1. What do the careers and educations of Dr. Franklin R. Chang-Diaz and Dr. Ellen Ochoa have in common?

2. In which course or courses at Charles W. Flanagan High School would you study Lydia Villa-Komaroff's topic of interest?

3. How might Luis Alvarez's studies have applied to the space shuttle program that Dr. Chang-Diaz and Dr. Ochoa are involved in?

.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phase Three:                              America: The Debate & Discussion

 

Your task question is now to be reformatted into a 12-card PowerPoint presentation that dramatically attempts to convince your audience that your point of view of what is American is the one that should be accepted.  Be sure to correctly reference at least 5 of the 10 web sites you visited in Phase One to support your point of view.

 

 

 

 

Phase Four:                               Real World Feedback

Expressing the perspectives that you've gained from this activity.

 

Letter Process:

1.     Begin your letter with a statement of who you are and why you are writing your message to this particular person or organization.

2.     Give background information that shows you understand the topic. Your letter should be addressed to the editor                of a local paper, national newsmagazine, or other print media source. Based upon your research, activities, and              discussion, define the word 'American.' Be certain to demonstrate how the term has evolved over the course of              our history.

3.     Make sure to be specific in both the information (like where you got it from on the Web) and the reasoning           (why the information proves your group's point).

4.     Use correct letter format and make sure you have correctly addressed the email message.

 

Creative Process:.

1.     You may choose to present your definition of 'American' in a visual way. Photography students may wish to        create a photo album depicting those people, places and things that best define 'American.'

2.     Drama students may wish to create a one-act play capturing the essence of the word.

3.     Music students may wish to create a musical definition of the term.

4.     Art students may create a painting or drawing, or perhaps create a piece of sculpture that best represents the      definition.

5.     TV students may wish to create an American video.

6.     Journalism students may wish to write editorials persuading readers that the term 'American' has evolved to         encompass much more than early definitions.

 

 

Conclusion

Just as Robert Frost's two roads diverged in the woods, some of our travelers took well-traveled roads to acquire materials for our pathway map that allows us to discover our definition of American. Others took the paths less traveled by, and have contributed a myriad of suggested sites, lesson plans, and ideas that add to the definition. You probably realize that Bruce Springsteen's song, 'Born in the USA' does not define 'American.' Hopefully, you have discovered that music and the arts play a large role, however, in defining the term. The journey is not complete. The answer to the essential question will never be complete, as our definition is changed by events around us.