Teacher's guide for A Separate Peace: A Teenager Experiences World War II

by Sally Hursey

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Introduction

Use this WebQuest to help 10 - 12 English students learn about A Separate Peace. The goal is to get students engaging in critical thinking.

Overview

Main Topic:	A Separate Peace
Subtopics:	WWII, Home Front, Propaganda, Conflict Resolution
Grade Level:	10 - 12
Subject(s):	English
Learning Goal:	engaging in critical thinking

Vision and Reality

If the learning goal were achieved in the most ideal of perfect worlds it would look something like:

This webquest was designed as a supplement to the study of the novel A Separate Peace by John Knowles. Students will explore life on the Home Front during WWII, gain a better understanding of America's involvement, and interpret their own feelings about the war. This webquest merges a literary work with its historical background.

However, what I anticipate probably looks more like:

Based on the Vision set for this activity, the actual reality is more likely to be students will have a better understanding of the novel after learning more about its setting, WWII.

The What - If Inventory

To give the activity its best chance at helping students learn, I assembled this list of possible resources:

Technology Resources

Computers with Internet access



Internet Potential

Many exceptional WWII sites



Possible Collaborations

U. S. History teachers



Special Events

Veteran's Day



General Resources

Novel A Separate Peace
Posterboard, construction paper, markers, glue, tape
Information sources (books, magazines, encyclopedias)
Videos
CD-ROMS
TV and VCR



Standards

1. Evaluate literature for historical significance and understand connections between culture and literary works.
2. Assimilate and synthesize information from various sources and convey it clearly to others.
3. Learn about the values and beliefs of a people.
4. Understand the close relationship between social and political systems.
5. Understand the use of propaganda and its effects.
6. Plan and organize ideas for writing.
7. Design and explain the significance of a propaganda poster.
8. Compose a letter for a specific audience.
9. Use inferential and critical thinking to create a response to a variety of texts.
10. Collect, evaluate, and organize information.

Conclusion

I have had much success with this Webquest. It works well when the English teacher and media specialist collaborate.

created by Sally Hursey email: sally.hursey@spartanburg2.k12.sc.us http://web-and-flow.com/members/shursey/separatepeace/webquest.htm