Title:
Library Quest
Grade Level (s):
9th-12th grades
Subject (s):
Research Skills
Brief Description of Activity:
Students will pull a quest from literature, mythology, history, or pop culture from a box when they walk into the library. Their quest will be to use various library sources and reference materials to research more information about the quest they selected.
Materials Needed:
1. Exhaustive list of well-known and lesser-known quests that is typed into a word document and then printed and cut into strips.
2. For Print sources: library books, encyclopedias, atlases, journals, and magazines.
3. For Online sources: computer, internet service, online encyclopedias, EBSCO or similar database, scholarly websites.
Learning Objectives:
1. The student will find specific information using a variety of print and electronic library reference sources.
2. The student will evaluate information and chose information from the most reliable, credible, and academically sound sources.
3. The student will synthesize the information into an original retelling of the researched quest.
AASL Information Literacy Standards:
Standard L1-1: Access information efficiently and effectively, as described by the following indicators:
4. identifies a variety of potential sources of information;
5. develops and uses successful strategies for locating information.
Standard L1-2: Evaluates information critically and competently, as described by the following indicators:
1. determines accuracy, relevance, and comprehensiveness;
2. distinguishes among fact, point of view, and opinion;
3. identifies inaccurate and misleading information;
4. selects information appropriate to the problem or question at hand.
Standard L1-3: Uses information effectively and creatively, as described by the following indicators:
1. organizes information for practical application;
2. integrates new information into one’s own knowledge;
3. applies information in critical thinking and problem solving;
4. produces and communicates information and ideas in appropriate formats.
Standard L3-2: Practices ethical behavior in regard to information and information technology, as described by the following indicators:
1. respects the principles of intellectual freedom;
2. respects intellectual property rights;
3. uses information technology responsibly.
Procedures: (This lesson assumes that students have had previous instruction in location of reference materials and permission from school board to use the internet.)
1. Ahead of class, type up and cut out a list of quests from history, literature, mythology, and pop culture. As students walk into the library, they are to choose one slip of paper from the bucket. (See quest list attachment.)
2. At each table, there will be a handout with basic questions to get the students’ research started. First on the handout will be the definition of a quest to make sure students know what a quest is.
3. Students are to use at least 5 different reference sources to locate specific information on their assigned quest. Part of the grade on this assignment will be their ability to choose appropriate sources.
4. Of the 5 sources, at least 2 must be in print format.
5. After the research is complete, students are to choose an option from the Quest List to retell the story. Information from their library research must be evident in their retellings.
Assessment Method (s):
1. Teacher/Librarian checklist for observable behaviors will be utilized.
2. Completed handouts about quest will be collected for assessment.
3. Completed original retellings will be turned in for a grade.
Quest List
Aeneas
Beowulf
Bill and Ted (from Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure)
Captain Nemo
Christopher Columbus
Daniel Boone
Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz
Frodo Baggins
Gilgamesh
Harriet Tubman
Harry Potter
Indiana Jones
Jack and the Beanstalk
James T. Kirk
Jason and the Argonauts
Jonah and the whale
Luke Skywalker
Magellan
Marlin (from Finding Nemo)
Mulan
Odysseus
Percy Jackson
Pilgrims from The Canterbury Tales
Sabastian (Neverending Story)
Sir Galahad
Theseus and the Minotaur
Tom Sawyer
Voldemort
Wall-E
Zelda
Quest Handout
For each question that you answer using a source from the library or computer, write the correct MLA citation information. Part of your grade will be based on your source evaluation and choice. Make sure you select reputable, reliable, and credible sources.
1. Which quest did you select from the bucket?
2. What prior knowledge do you have of this quest? (Answers will range from “I’ve never heard of this before” to “I know this so well I almost don’t need to do any research”)
3. Using a print encyclopedia, do a quick search for your quest. If it’s in there, write an MLA citation for the source. If it isn’t, find an online encyclopedia that contains an entry on your quest. (You may have to search for specific subject encyclopedias.)
4. List major characters involved in your quest. Include the major roles for each.
5. Write a brief plot summary of your quest.
6. What genre does your quest need to be categorized into? (Fiction, Nonfiction, Mythology, etc..)
7. What is the origin or history of your quest? In other words, what is the backstory? (Use a source other than an encyclopedia for this question. Sources to consider would be a book in the stacks, an article in a database, or a magazine article.)
8. Where did your quest occur? If the location is real, locate it on a map using an atlas. Even if it’s fiction, you may still be able to find a map created by the author. Search for a map for all quests!
9. Was the quest accomplished? If so, who or what helped? Who or what was a hindrance?
10. If the quest was not successful, who or what caused the failure?
Using the information from this handout, complete one assignment from the Quest Retelling Options List.
Possible Original Retelling Options:
If you think of an option that is not on this list, feel free to come and discuss it with me! For each one of these options, information from your research must be evident.
1. Turn your quest into a one act play.
2. Rewrite your quest story from the point of view of someone other than the main character.
3. Prepare a television commercial advertising the quest story. Turn in either the written script, or video footage your commercial.
4. Turn your quest story into a comic book/graphic novel. Use drawings and dialogue bubbles.
5. Convert the events of the quest story into a ballad or a song. You don’t necessarily have to sing it, but you do have to have lyrics!
6. Modernize the setting of your quest. What would have to change if the story took place in today’s time?
7. Write a sequel to the story. Have the characters act in ways that would be appropriate based on their past activities.
8. Become a reporter. Turn your quest into a news story worthy of front page news.
9. Put yourself into the story. You can’t replace any of the characters. What would your role be in the quest? What interaction would there be between you and the other characters?
10. In a shoebox, gather important artifacts and mementos that would matter to the main character. Write a paper explaining what you included in the box.
11. Illustrate and write a description of the location of your story. You may write it in the form of a travel brochure.
12. Find and describe another novel, movie, or other literary work that was influenced by the characters or plot of your quest. Note each comparison.
13. Pretend you are a talk show host and interview the main character. Your interview must avoid questions with one word answers. Write the interview and the answers. Feel free to act it out for the class.
14. Your main character just enrolled in our school as a new student. Write some diary entries describing their experiences. How would their skills be useful?
15. If none of the above appeal to you, come up with an original idea and get approval from me!
