In this webquest, you’ll investigate the real Civil War battle on which the novel, The Red Badge of Courage, was based.

Mrs. A. Brown / Mrs. C. PorterEnglish 9--MCMHS

*Red Badge of Courage Webquest

*Introduction*This webquest will allow you to examine the life of an American Civil War soldier.  In this activity, you'll work independently.

* Pretend you are a journalist covering the Battle of Chancellorsville, which is the actual battle that the book The Red Badge of Courage is based upon. Your first decision is whether or not you are writing for a Union (Northern) newspaper, or for a Confederate (Southern) newspaper. That will determine the mood of your report.

* Your job is to get the facts about the battle: Where it was held, when it took place, how long it lasted, what the result of the battle was, and who were the important people involved in this battle. You should also have some information on the casualties and any damage that was done to the civilians in the area.

* You should aim for a page for your newspaper. Give your paper a name, and if possible, include an illustration. 

*You will find websites with information and pictures in the “Process" section of the webquest.

*Tasks*You will be using the websites provided to learn about

the Battle of Chancellorsville. You will create a newspaper article that describes the battle to your audience back home -- but you have to decide if the newspaper you work for is a Southern paper or a Northern one.

*Be sure to write in an interesting way so that the audience wants to buy your paper. Add details that make the story vivid, but be sure that your work is accurate.

*You may want to add illustrations such as Civil War photographs or maps. You can use Microsoft Word or Microsoft Publisher.

*Process*To write your newspaper, use the websites

given to find the following information:

*1) Where did the battle take place? You may want to include a map. Give the distance from the closest major city.

*2.) Who was involved? Where were the Union regiments from? Where were the Confederate regiments from? Who were the commanding officers? Were there any people who had a special or unusual role in the battle?

*3.) How did the battle get underway? What was the strategy? How many soldiers were killed or injured?

*4.) When did the battle take place? How long did the battle last?

*Web Sources

*http://www.nps.gov/frsp/chist.htm

*http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/chancellorsville.html

*http://www.civilwarhome.com/chancell.htm

*http://www.fold3.com/page/83001119_battle_of_chancellorsville/

*http://www.history.com/interactives/civil-war-150

*Evaluation*Your newspaper will be judged on the

following criteria:

*1. Content. Did you give accurate and complete information? Did you add details to make the report clearer?

*2.) Writing style. Was your article interesting? Did it meet the correct needs for your audience?

*3.) Organization. Did the article have an engaging beginning that made the reader want to continue? Did your topics transition smoothly from one to another? Was the conclusion interesting and informative?

*4.) Grammar and mechanics. Did you spell everything correctly? Did you use proper grammar? Did you check for typos?

Category

Exemplary25

Standard20

Developing15

Below Stand.10

Content Your newspaper contains accurate and thorough information. You have added many details to bring the story to life.

Your newspaper contains accurate information. There are some details present to make the story more interesting.

Some of the information is accurate, some is vague. You have used a few details but not enough to add interest to the article.

The story contains inaccuracies, or the details are too vague or incomplete to make the story meaningful.

Writing Style Your writing style is very interesting. You use vivid verbs and creative expressions. You think about the audience and direct the article toward the audience’s needs.

The story is written in an acceptable way, although it is not consistently interesting. There is some passive speech. You don’t always think of your audience’s needs.

Your article tends to be predictable. Some parts are too wordy, some parts are passive. You consider the needs of the audience only occasionally.

The writing style is choppy or hard to understand. The article is clichéd and dull. You don’t consider the needs of your audience.

Organization The article has an interesting beginning that makes the reader want to know more. You have clear transitions between paragraphs. The conclusion gives the reader something to think about.

The introduction is interesting but not exciting. There are transitions between paragraphs. The conclusion many not be particularly insightful.

The introduction is minimal. You aren’t sure where the paragraphs should go. The conclusion adds little to the article.

Your introduction and conclusions are minimal or nonexistent. The paragraphs are undeveloped.

Grammar and Mechanics

You have clearly proofread this for spelling, run-ons, punctuation, and other mechanics. There are fewer than five errors.

You might have done a brief proofread. There are between 5-8 errors.

This wasn’t proofread very well. There are errors you should have caught.

This was clearly not proofread. Your errors interfere with the ability to read this easily.

*Conclusion*How hard would it have been for the soldiers like Henry

Flemming to deal with the stresses of this battle?