To Kill a Mockingbird: An American Classic
Webquest
The purpose of this webquest is to help students create background knowledge of the historical context surrounding To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. While the text is fictional, the setting and context of the south during the great depression are important historical elements used in the story. As you find information below, create a discovery journal via Google Classroom to record your findings.
Step 1: Start a discovery journal
Head to Google Classroom to retrieve your discovery journal. Take notes as you research to show your learning. Then, please make sure to turn in your finished assignment via Google Classroom when you are finished.
***I shared a document via Google Classroom. You may either do a group journal or individual journals. Your choice.
***I shared a document via Google Classroom. You may either do a group journal or individual journals. Your choice.
Step 2: To Kill a Mockingbird Background Information
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Watch the video from Crash Course Literature where John Green explains important elements of To Kill a Mockingbird. Then, answer the following questions in your discovery journal:
SPOILERS! Be warned! 1. List at least 5 important elements you learned in this video about the plot. 2. How did critics view the novel when it came out? 3. Why does John Green believe the novel is important? |
Step 3: Plessy V. Ferguson
Visit PBS.org to learn about Plessy v Ferguson or this site from Encyclopedia Britannica. This court case lead to many of the elements of the Jim Crow laws in the south. Then, answer these questions in your discovery journal:
1. What was the outcome of Plessy v Ferguson?
2. Did Plessy v Ferguson create separate but equal as a legal doctrine? What evidence can you find?
1. What was the outcome of Plessy v Ferguson?
2. Did Plessy v Ferguson create separate but equal as a legal doctrine? What evidence can you find?
Step 4: Jim Crow Laws
Watch this video about Jim Crow Laws of the 1920s and 1930s. Then answer the following questions:
1. Where did the term "Jim Crow" come from? How is the origin of this term offensive? 2. What were some of the Jim Crow laws? Give at least three examples. 3. How did the small town atmosphere contribute to the racism of Jim Crow laws? 4. What role might the Jim Crow laws play in To Kill a Mockingbird? Knowing that the father in the story is a lawyer, how might this come into play as well? More information about Jim Crow laws can be found here. |
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Step 5: Scottsboro Boys TRial
Read this link and this link about the Scottsboro boys' trial, then answer the following questions.
1. Who were the Scottsboro Boys? What were they accused of?
2. List at least three ways in which the trial was unfair. How did these injustices affect the outcome of the trial?
3. What ended up being the fate of the Scottsboro Boys? What was society's reaction to this fate?
4. Read the testimonies of Victoria Price and Ruby Bates. How do these testimonies add to the unfairness of the trial? Do the testimonies seem consistent? What character assumptions can we make about the two women based on their testimonies?
5. The Scottsboro Boys' trial took place during the childhood of To Kill A Mockingbird's author, Harper Lee. Make a prediction about how this trial might be an important influence for the book. Since a court trial also takes place in the novel, what connections might be made between the two?
1. Who were the Scottsboro Boys? What were they accused of?
2. List at least three ways in which the trial was unfair. How did these injustices affect the outcome of the trial?
3. What ended up being the fate of the Scottsboro Boys? What was society's reaction to this fate?
4. Read the testimonies of Victoria Price and Ruby Bates. How do these testimonies add to the unfairness of the trial? Do the testimonies seem consistent? What character assumptions can we make about the two women based on their testimonies?
5. The Scottsboro Boys' trial took place during the childhood of To Kill A Mockingbird's author, Harper Lee. Make a prediction about how this trial might be an important influence for the book. Since a court trial also takes place in the novel, what connections might be made between the two?
Step 6: The Great Depression
This story is set in the Great Depression in the deep south of Alabama. Watch the video from Crash Course US History & read the article from PBS to answer the following questions about the Great Depression.
PBS article about the Great Depression 1. What is "Black Tuesday" and why does it mark the beginning of the Great Depression? 2. What changes did President Roosevelt make once in office? What was the New Deal and how did it affect American citizens? 3. Given what you have learned about the Great Depression, make a prediction about what you think the setting of To Kill a Mockingbird will look like? What will the town and its citizens look like? How will the characters act towards one another? How will Scout's classmates act towards her knowing that her father is a lawyer? |
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Step 7: The Author, Harper Lee
Harper Lee Background Information
List important information about Harper Lee that might have lead her to write a novel about race relations during the Great Depression in the south. You need at least 4 pieces of information.
List important information about Harper Lee that might have lead her to write a novel about race relations during the Great Depression in the south. You need at least 4 pieces of information.