Utopian Society Webquest | Create WebQuest

Introduction

This is a painting of what painter Robert Owen considered to be Utopia.

As part of our literature curriculum, we will be covering Utopian societies depicted in novels, short stories, and film. The above painting is a picture of what painter, Robert Owen, considered to be a utopia. Utopian societies are meant to be perfect societies where everyone is happy. However, as we will soon read and view, Utopias are not all that they seem.

Task

Your task is to research and evaluate a true American utopia. While these utopias may not exist anymore, their beliefs and systems may have had an effect on American society. Within your group, research a utopia and create a power point showing your research.

Process

Within your group of four complete the following:

1. Your group will be assigned one of the following American Utopias: The Shakers, Brook Farm, The Oneidas, and the Harmony Colonies.

2. Complete research on the utopia you are assigned and write down the following:

Where were they located?
What was their system of beliefs?
What religion did they follow?
What was their government style?
What happened to their utopia?
Who was the main leader?
What effect did the utopia have on today's American society?

3. Design a powerpoint answering each of the questions. Be sure to include pictures, video if you would like, and also a works cited page at the end of your powerpoint. Your powerpoint must have at least 9 slides, but you can add more if you would like. Make sure to check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation as you will be graded on these too.

Website links are below:

Utopian Society Information:

http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/amana/utopia.htm

http://www.ushistory.org/us/26b.asp

http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/5-19th-century-utopian-communities-in-the-united-states

The Shaker Utopia

http://brbl-archive.library.yale.edu/exhibitions/utopia/uc04.html

http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/shaker/shakers.htm

The Harmony Utopia

http://brbl-archive.library.yale.edu/exhibitions/utopia/uc05.html

http://www.examiner.com/article/new-harmony-a-utopian-experiment-the-american-wilderness

Brook Farm Utopia

http://brbl-archive.library.yale.edu/exhibitions/utopia/uc08.html

http://www.legendsofamerica.com/ah-utopias2.html#Brook%20Farm

Oneida Utopia

http://brbl-archive.library.yale.edu/exhibitions/utopia/uc10.html

http://www.legendsofamerica.com/ah-utopias3.html#The%20Oneida%20Community

Resources

OWL Purdue MLA Formatting

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/

OWL Purdue General Writing Resources

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/1/

Merriam-Webster

http://www.merriam-webster.com/

Google Translate

https://translate.google.com/

Evaluation

Rubric for Utopian Powerpoint

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Quality of Information	Information clearly relates to the main topic. It includes several supporting details and/or examples.	Information clearly relates to the main topic. It provides 1-2 supporting details and/or examples.	Information clearly relates to the main topic. No details and/or examples are given.	Information has little or nothing to do with the main topic.
Amount of Information	All questions are addressed and answered with at least 2 sentences about each.	Most questions are addressed and answered with at least 2 sentences about each.	At least half of the questions are answered with 1 sentence about each.	Only one or two questions were answered with minimal details.
Graphic Organizer	The power point has been completed and shows clear, logical relationships between all topics and subtopics.	The power point has been completed and shows clear, logical relationships between most topics and subtopics.	The power point has been started and includes some topics and subtopics.	The power point has not been attempted.
Diagrams & Illustrations	Diagrams and illustrations are neat, accurate and add to the reader\'s understanding of the topic. There are many.	Diagrams and illustrations are accurate and add to the reader\'s understanding of the topic. There are few.	Diagrams and illustrations are neat and accurate and sometimes add to the reader\'s understanding of the topic.	Diagrams and illustrations are not accurate OR do not add to the reader\'s understanding of the topic.
Mechanics	No grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.	Almost no grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors	A few grammatical spelling, or punctuation errors.	Many grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.
Internet Use	Successfully uses suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.	Usually able to use suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.	Occasionally able to use suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.	Needs assistance or supervision to use suggested internet links and/or to navigate within these sites.
Sources/Works Cited Page	All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented in the desired format.	All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented, but a few are not in the desired format.	All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented, but many are not in the desired format.	Some sources are not accurately d

Conclusion

Now that you have done your research, evaluate your information. In a one page reflective essay argue whether a utopian society can truly exist. Consider and include details from your research that will explain your answer. Compare the utopian society you have researched to America's society today. If you think a utopian society can exist, what conditions must it be under? Lastly, would you create a utopia if given the chance? What might your fundamental belief be in the utopia?

Make sure to include citations and have proper/correct grammar/puncutation/spelling. Each group member is responsible for their own reflective essay.

Credits

Credit is given to the websites which provided information to complete this project. This webquest was created by Ms. Slocum for 8th Grade Language Arts.

Teacher Page

Learners

This webquest is designed for learners in 8th Grade Language Arts. Resources like dictionaries or MLA citation cites may be used to aid in understanding and correctness.

Language Arts Florida Standards

LAFS.8.RI.1.1 Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

LAFS.8.RI.2.4 Determines the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.

LAFS.8.W.3.7 Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration.

LAFS.8.W.2.8 Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively, assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrases the data and conclusion of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.

LAFS.8.W.3.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

LAFS.8.L.1. Demonstrate command of the coventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

LAFS.8.L.1.2 Demonstrate command of the convention of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

LAFS.8.L.1.3 Use knowledge of language and conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.