Webquest+The+Pearl

=Literature Circle WebQuest **for //The Pearl// by John Steinbeck**= ===**This WebQuest is designed to introduce background material about John Steinbeck's //The Pearl//. You will learn about John Steinbeck, La Paz, pearls, and other interesting facts related to the novella.**===

= =

Welcome to what I hope will be an interesting and fun way to study one of John Steinbeck's famous novels. This WebQuest is designed to guide you through activities associated with the novel, and it provides links to accompany each activity.

The WebQuest for //The Pearl// is divided into four options. You are responsible for researching one of those options. Decide within your literature circle group which options your group will do. Two people will work as partners to complete one option. Therefore your group will complete two options. You will combine all work into one packet to turn in to me.

I hope you will enjoy this format for researching one of America's greatest authors and one of his more popular works.

Due: Wednesday, September 15, 2010. You will have time in class on Monday to research on the MacBooks. You will have time in the computer lab on Tuesday to type up your option. At the beginning of class on Wednesday you will put the pieces of information together in one packet and turn it in.

This will count as a project and homework grade. You will receive individual grades and a group grade for collaboration.

All questions must be completed in complete sentences, typed in Times New Roman, font 12, double spaced, with proper heading on the paper. Use MLA Heading guidelines below.

MLA Heading



Option 1: The Author - John Steinbeck
Click on the links below, read the information and, on your paper, type the answers to the questions in complete sentences. Do NOT copy and paste, your answers must be in your own words.

**Websites:** National Steinbeck Center"Our mission is the exploration of Human Values through Universal ideas found in the works of John Steinbeck". //Note: The Navigation Menu at the bottom of this site may not display correctly on older web browsers.// The Center for Steinbeck StudiesA San Jose State University site. Wikipedia Steinbeck []

1. Give some biographical information on John Steinbeck. (Date of birth, death, education, family interests…)

2. Where did Steinbeck work in the summers?

3. What kinds of awards did Steinbeck win for his works? Give the award, explain what the award is for and the title of the work that won the award. (This information could also be included on your Steinbeck timeline.) For what book did Steinbeck win the Pulitzer Prize for literature?

4. What did Steinbeck’s writing explore? What are some common themes that are generally presented in Steinbeck’s novels?

5. Who is Eddie Ricketts and how did for he influence Steinbeck’ s novella, //The Pearl?//

6. When was //The Pearl// written?

7. What other books did Steinbeck write that deal with human values?



**Option 2: The Setting - La Paz, Mexico**
Click on the links below, read the information and, on your paper, type the answers to the questions in complete sentences. Do NOT copy and paste, your answers must be in your own words.

//The Setting and History of Mexico// [] Baja California Includes a short History of Lower Baja and a brief description of the city of La Paz. Find additional information here: La Paz | The Baja Peninsula. Virtual MexicoThis is the host site which contains the above, which includes General Information about Mexico. Mexico - A Country StudyA comprehensive site from the Library of Congress.

The novel’s setting is La Paz, Mexico

1. Where is La Paz located? Locate it on a map. Make a copy or draw the map.

2. What is the geography of La Paz? a. What bodies of water surround it? List all of them and label them on the map. b. What mountains exist? List the names of the mountains and label them on the map. c. What is the terrain like?

3. What is the climate like?

4. Where is La Paz in relation to the Gulf of California and the mountains?

5. Where is the capital of Mexico? How far would it be from La Paz to Mexico City across the water? How far to go around?

6. What are the main ways to make a living in La Paz?



**Option 3: Scorpions**
Click on the links below, read the information and, on your paper, type the answers to the questions in complete sentences. Do NOT copy and paste, your answers must be in your own words.

[]

[]

[]

1. What do they look like? Include a picture of a scorpion.

2. Where do they live?

3. What do they eat?

4. How do they hunt their prey?

5. Are they dangerous to humans? Why or why not?

6. What should people do if they encounter a scorpion? What if a person is stung?



**Option 4: Pearl Diving**
Click on the links below, read the information and, on your paper, type the answers to the questions in complete sentences. Do NOT copy and paste, your answers must be in your own words.

[]

[]

1. What dangers do pearl divers face?

2. What kinds of people were pearl divers?

3. What kind of life did pearl divers live?

4. How do pearl divers adapt their bodies to the ocean?

5. What are the bends?

6. How is the quality of a pearl judged?