20th Century Famous Russians: A Theme Halloween Party

A WebQuest for High School Students (Russian Language)

Introduction

With Halloween just around the corner, you surely can't wait to collect all that candy! Going trick-and-treating dressed like a pumpkin, however, is better reserved for preschoolers. High school students are expected to have some high-class fun!

Task

ussr flag and lenin image So, how about dressing like some of the people who defined the life of the 20th century? In Russia?

Here are some ideas:

Define evil, good and other similar concepts in color/music, select or find a famous Russian who will best represent it, and design a costume for your Halloween Party!

The most easily recognizable figure gets a treat!

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Process

In your team, discuss concepts that make people famous or have most influence, like evil, good, wisdom, intelligence, kindness, joy, harmony, etc. Select any four, and define what color best represents each idea. Create a four-color poster. As an alternative (or addition), use music. (Instrumental music only; please download legally!)

Optional Assignment

As a team, select each a historic figure from the list of Famous Russians below (or if you have other favorites, ask for the instructor's approval). The people you choose should be associated with any three concepts you selected in Step 1. Feel free to browse Wikipedia for a quick look at the biographies.

Tsvetayeva, Marina, a poet
Bunin, Ivan, writer
Stalin, Joseph, head of state
Lenin, Vladimir, revolutioner, head of state
Saharov, Andrei, scientist, politician
Plesetskaya, Maria, ballet dancer
Gorbachov, Mikhail, head of state, Nobel Laurate
Zhukov, Georgy, marshall, commander in chief
Brodsky, Joseph, poet
Mayakovsky, Vladimir, poet
Krupskaya, Nadezhda, Lenin's wife, revolutioner

Research your person. Use at least 3 sources to compile a one page long biography to submit, highlighting one or two events that best reveal the concept you originally associated your person with. Please comment on the fact whether all of the sources agree or contradict, and provide your guess why. When listing your sources, please describe who owns the site, and if that may have had some effect on the publication.

Check back with your team to determine whether your choice of the concept truly corresponds with the person. Prepare to defend your viewpoint and convince your team by collecting and interpreting the background information for that person. Make changes in the concept as necessary.
Share your work with the rest of the class, present your poster, and explain your thinking. We can do a podcast or a video cast of your presentation.
Complete your research, and design three accessories or a three-piece costume for the Halloween party. You are to use color you chose for that person, and to make that person as easily identifiable as possible. No incognitos, please!!!
Let's party!

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Evaluation

Your work will be evaluated according to the following rubric. Please read carefully!

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4
Biography	Considerably longer or considerably shorter than one page, cites less than 3 sources, no comment provided; central events are random, poorly chosen or missing elaboration; cut-and-paste type	Slightly longer or shorter than one page, cites less than 3 sources, central events are included, and meanigful, comment somewhat developed, a little bit of cut-and-paste present.	A one-page long account of events with dates, the major events are highlighted and given in much detail, 3 or more sources referenced, comment offers insight into the information provided by sources.	An original writing is one page long, includes major events with dates, provides a detailed account of one or two most significant events, at least 3 sources, and a meaningful comment. May be posted online (as blog) with extra comment or reflection
Infromation Accuracy	None of the sources has a proven identity, just list the URLs; some sources are there, even though no information was used in the research from that site.	A few sources have been evaluated and even fewer have an established owner. Some information has been used but not verified.	All sources have been evaluated as to whose perspective they most likely render, ownership is established (when possible)	An original and deep analysis of the sources was provided, grounded in thorough meta-research, targeted audience and purpose of the site identified.
Verbal Presentation	Factual knowledge is poor, lacks logical sequence, poor backup.	Sufficient factual knowledge, rationale is vague.	The presenter has confidence, focuses on interpretation of facts and/or events, explains the rationale behind the choice of famous Russians	The presenter demonstrates deep understanding of the historic figure and his/her accomplishments, interpretes facts with confidence and provides exhaustive explanations.
Costume	Incognito.	Costume/accessories are present, but not complete or some missing. Not easy to recognize (second or third guess). Student's behavior helps recognize the historic character.	Easily recognizable, corresponds well with the oral presentation of the project in class, is designed in the color initially assigned to the concept	Same as in the left column, but extremely original and creative with a powerful impression
Collaboration	Didn't offer input on major decisions, clueless about team's choices, worked mostly independently.	Offered some input, suggestions, aware but not quite competent why some choices have been made, was mainly concerned with own share.	Participated in discussion, can explain the rationale behind any of the team's decisions, was there for help when needed, shared in the team's responsibilities	Same as to the left, plus facilitated group work, helped involve others, helped others identify individual tasks; provided thoughtful feedback
Poster	Not competely ready, late, misplaced.	Last minute, not very neat, contains four colors.	Vibrant colors, clear association. - OR - Music is powerful, sufficient rationale.	Vibrant colors, accompanied by music, association with concepts very convincing.

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Conclusion

Now not only you have studied the history and culture through the famous Russians of the 20th century, you have also tried to examine how various sources portray them and to interprete their achievements on a more personalized level. Since Russian history, like that of many other countries, is quite convtroversial, it's important to learn to understand that there is more than one side to each story. Keep an open mind!

Credits & References

Most images come from Stock_xchng, royalty-free .

For more information on webquest go to The WebQuest Page and the Design Patterns page.

We all benefit by being generous with our work. Permission is hereby granted for other educators to copy this WebQuest, update or otherwise modify it, and post it elsewhere provided that the original author's name is retained along with a link back to the original URL of this WebQuest. On the line after the original author's name, you may add Modified by (your name) on (date). If you do modify it, please let me know (mail to:Olga LaPlante) and provide the new URL.

Last updated on April 9, 2007 . Based on a template from The WebQuest Page