John Brown,

Savior or Traitor

A WebQuest for 8th Grade (Social Studies)

Designed by

Marcia Haar
mhaar@foma.wsc.ma.edu

 

 

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page

Introduction

John Brown was famous in American history because he was an avowed abolitionist prior to the Civil War. His career included fighting in a guerrilla war in Bloody Kansas. In Kansas, he fought on the side of those who wanted Kansas to enter the Union as a free (non slave) state. His most notable act was a raid on the Federal Arsenal at Harper's Ferry in 1859. The purpose of the raid was to instigate an armed slave insurrection.

 

 

 

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The Task
You will produce a newspaper based upon information that is gathered from your research. Everyone in the group will each assume one of three roles: an unbiased observer, a supporter of John Brown, and someone with opposing views from John Brown. Each newspaper will contain a timeline of events, three news stories and a graphic to enhance the appearance of your newspaper.

 

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The Process

Each team will produce a newspaper that gives three different points of view about the raid on Harper's Ferry. In order to do this, you will each:

  • Research sites that describe the events surrounding Brown's arrest and trial
  • Research Brown's motivation for his actions based on a review of his life's history
  • Have a clear understanding of the arguments that were presented regarding his guilt or innocence
  • Understand the historical timeframe around which Brown conducted his raid
  • Decide upon the roles for each member of your group - supporting John Brown, opposing John Brown, or a neutral editorial about John Brown
  • Create a newspaper with your news articles, and include a timeline
  • Go to a computer and open up the program called Timeliner to create the timeline (one timeline per group)
 

 

Resources
National Historical Landmark

Timeline of Events

Life History

History of J Brown

John Brown's Holy War

 

 

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Evaluation

Your group will be evaluated using the criteria outlined below. Each member of the group will receive the same grade.

Exemplary

4

Adequate

3

Minimal

2

Attempted

1

Score

 

Knowledge of
Content
Extensive use of relevant information;shows extensive research;details selected to support case were very appropriate
Consistent use of relevant information; shows adequate research; details supporting case were accurate
Inconsistent use of relevant information; some information included is not relevant; shows some research; case is only partially supported by details; some details are inaccurate
Show little or no incorporation of information; shows little research; case is not supported by details; many detailed are inaccurate

 

Organization

 

 
Extremely well organized; logical; easy to follow; fully explained.
Clear Organization; focused on key ideas
Somewhat organized; some ideas were not presented
Confusing; illogical; several key ideas are missing

 

Mechanics

 

 
Flawless
Few mechanical errors
Some errors in spelling, labeling or dates
Many errors in spelling, labeling or dates

 

Creativity

 
Put a great deal of creative energy into project, very original
Thoughtful , with many creative touches; somewhat original
Some creative touches;little originality
Put little creative energy into project; no originality

 

Presentation
Striking; communicated information effectively; showed strong understanding of audience
Clear, uncluttered, and attractive; showed some understanding of audience
Information could be understood, but project was not attractive; showed little understanding of audience
Illegible or messy; information presented could not be understood; showed no understanding of audience

 

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Conclusion

You have just completed a newspaper about a famous abolitionist named John Brown, using the Internet as a tool. To find out more about this historic person visit your local or school library, or visit other Internet sites to enrich your understanding of this turbulent period in American history.

 

 

 

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Credits

Photographs taken from the Harper's Ferry National Historic Park, John Brown Museum Exhibit

Alternative Assessment - Prentice Hall, 2000. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey

Civil War Music - http://ingeb.org/Songs/johnbrow.html

 

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Last updated on March 2, 2004. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page