“From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler”

ByE. L. Konigsburg

A WebQuest Activity for Fifth Grade

Reading/Language ArtsIntroduction | Task | Sources | Process | Guidance |

Conclusion

IntroductionAre you curious like Claudia and Jamie? Would you like to go on a WebQuest to

investigate to learn more about them and the artists with art at the Metropolitan

Museum of Art?After reading the novel, “From the Mixed-

up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler,” your “CO-OP” will have the opportunity to

learn more about the author who wrote this book, complete tasks that will satisfy

your curiosities, and write your own opinions about the characters and plot of

the novel.You and your “CO-OP” will also get to

learn about artists and even create your own masterpieces!

So let’s get started…..

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Task

After reading the novel, “From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler,” you

will have six tasks to complete through this WebQuest. The first task will test

your comprehension of the novel. When you have successfully answered questions about the story, you are ready to explore

the museum that housed Claudia and Jamie Kincaid. You will learn the answers of the most frequently asked questions

from children like you! Then you will discover information about the author, E. L. Konigsburg. Then, your “CO-OP” will get to tell me about the MET and the

famous artist named Degas! Your final task is to send me an e-mail postcard from the Metropolitan Museum of Art!

Tennessee English Language Arts State Standards:

SPI 0501.3.1 Complete a graphic organizer (i.e., clustering, listing, mapping, webbing) togroup ideas for writing.SPI 0501.3.2 Rearrange sentences to form a sequential, coherent paragraph.SPI 0501.4.1 Identify the most reliable information sources available for preparing aresearch report.

SPI 0501.4.2 Develop a note-taking system or some other method of effectiveinformation collection.SPI 0501.5.1 Locate information to support opinions, predictions, and conclusions.SPI 0501.5.2 Identify stated or implied cause and effect relationships in text.SPI 0501.6.2 Interpret information using a chart, map, or timeline.SPI 0501.6.3 Identify the stated main idea and supporting details in text.SPI 0501.7.1 Select the most appropriate medium or media for accessing information,writing a report, or making a presentation.SPI 0501.8.1 Identify setting, characters, plot, and theme.SPI 0501.8.4 Identify the sequence of events in fiction selections.SPI 0501.8.6 Identify stated or implied cause and effect relationships in fictionselections.SPI 0501.8.8 Recognize reasonable predictions of future events within a given context.SPI 0501.8.9 Distinguish among various literary genres (e.g., poetry, drama, letters, ads,historical fiction, biographies, autobiographies).SPI 0501.8.10 Identify and interpret the main incidents of a plot, their causes, how theyinfluence future actions, and how they are resolved.

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Sources.

Decker, Karen. Quia, matching, flashcards, concentration, and word search. 1998-2008. Retrieved on March 30, 2008 from http://www.quia.com/custom/3227main.html

Ed Helper Literature Units. Retrieved March 29, 2008 from http://www.edhelper.com/books/From_the_Mixedup_Files_of_Mrs_Basil_E_Frankweiler.htm

Gahr, Jean and Scott, Linda. Teacher cyber guide. 1997. Retrieved March 19, 2008 from http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/fris/fristg.htm

Houghten Mifflin Reading. Meet the author. Retrieved March 29, 2008 from http://www.eduplace.com/kids/hmr/mtai/konigsburg.html

Lamb, Annette. Literature Ladders. From the mixed-up files of mrs. Basil e. Frankweiler. 1999. Retrieved March 22, 2008, from http://eduscapes.com/newbery/68a.html

Konigsburg, E. L. (1967). From the mixed-up files of mrs. basil e. frankweiler, Antheneum Press. NYC

Tennessee Department of Education. (2008). Standards/alignments: 5th grade. Retrieved March 30, 2008, from http://state.tn.us/education/ci/english/2009_10/grade_5.pdf

The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (2000-2008). Retrieved March 22, 2008, from http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/dancers/index.html

The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (2000-2008). Retrieved March 22, 2008, from http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/FAQ/htm/franken.htm

The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (2000-2008). Retrieved March 22, 2008, from http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/FAQ/htm/history.htm

The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (2000-2008). Retrieved March 22, 2008, from http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/FAQ/media/1998M.gif

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ProcessAfter reading the Novel, “From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler,” complete the following steps in this process!

1. Meet with your “CO-OP” group. You will be assigned to work in cooperative groups for this WebQuest.

2. Go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art by clicking on the picture to the right.

Click on the piece of paper to print out WebQuest Task Work Sheet #1.

3. What can you tell me about the Metropolitan Museum of Art? Click Here To Research!

After clicking on the piece of paper, answer the questions on the “Getting to Know

the MET” worksheet provided!

4. Now it’s time to print and complete WebQuest Task Work Sheet #2.

Click on the sheet of paper and print!

You can click on the author’s name to go visit following website to learn more about E. L. Konigsburg.

#1

#2

5.What do you know about the artist Degas? Click on the ballerina to learn more!

Click on dancing girl and go to

“Things to do,” then click on “Discover the Met.”

After exploring the world of Degas, write a brief biography about the artist. Complete at least three activities on Degas.

6. Upon completion of learning about Degas…send me a postcard telling about your experience at the MET! You will go to “Things to do,” then, in the “For Kids” section you will click on “Send an E-Card.” You may use my e-mail address for sender and recipient. todd_lisa@hcde.org.

7.Finally…go have fun! Click on this web site for some activities that will test your knowledge of vocabulary!

Click here for some fun review activities!

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GuidanceReflections

Purpose: The purpose of this WebQuest is to guide students through the steps of thinking and writing about well-known, intermediate level, core literature. Students will write paragraphs responding to writing prompts that elicit text to self connections. This WebQuest helps students to develop ideas and organize their thinking about what they have read. The students’ final task includes activities that will enrich vocabulary knowledge.

Preceding and Ensuing Events: Students will read listen to the book-on-tape while following along in the book. Upon completion, the teacher will introduce the WebQuest activity using the interactive white board. Each student will be responsible for using the checklist to complete all activities. Students’

cooperative groups will print out and write responses for each WebQuest task. Students will utilize new vocabulary in future writing assignments. Students will also be given the opportunity to create a book jacket for the novel or write a “critic’s review” on the novel.

How Learning is Improved: Students will be able to make text to self connections through reading this novel. Also, students will acquire an appreciation for art and artists through their visit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Students will also realize that learning can occur outside of a classroom or textbook. The Internet offers many opportunities to learn about anything students desire.

Possible Improvements: Creating an activity to introduce the story prior to reading might help students to maintain engagement throughout the story. I would have liked to have added an art project that could be a part of a culminating activity (I am working on this though).

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Conclusion

Well, you did it! You have mastered the “ART” of reading a great piece of

literature and completing a WebQuest! When you finish, you will

have been to New York City, not once, but, twice! The first time you

went was while you were reading the novel. The second time is when you

visited the ever-so-popular, Metropolitan of Art. You have gained

insight about how to investigate a mystery while learning about the

talented artists with work displayed at the MET. In addition, you now have mastered navigating the Internet to learn and have fun! Now, go take an

AR test!

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WebQuest Check List