James and the Giant Peach

A WebQuest for 5th Grade (Reading-Language Arts)

Introduction

Welcome to the magical world of James and his friends! Come along on their adventure in the giant peach as they travel from England to America. If you've never traveled in a peach before, you are in for a treat! On this journey, you will encounter a centipede with only 42 feet, an earthworm that is used as bait to catch some seagulls, and a wise friendly ladybug. If you could choose to be one of James' insect friends, which one would you choose to be?

Task

Your task: You will be exploring the book James and the Giant Peach, by Roald Dahl. Choose one character from the book that you would like to be. Imagine yourself as this character as you go through each of the activities. Your adventure will introduce you to a different perspective, and will end when you write your own alternate ending to the book from your character's point of view. At the end of this unit, you will have compiled a journal of all the activities from this unit.

Process

1. First, look back at the book and remind yourself of important events that occurred. Pay special attention to your chosen character's role throughout the book.

2. After you have familiarized yourself with the book, you will need to get to know the author.

ëVisit Roald Dahl's official website, and click on the section labeled "The Man." Spend some time exploring this section, and listen to an interview given by the author, Roald Dahl.

ëNext, get with your assigned partner. You will take turns role playing as the author and your chosen character. When you are acting as your chosen character, you will interview your partner as though they were the author. Ask questions that your character would want to know. Then switch places!

ëYou need to write up your interview of the author (your partner). These interviews will be collected and published in a class book. Your teacher will also make a copy for you to include in your journal.

3. Choose your favorite chapter from the book, and rewrite it from your character's point of view. Be sure there is a problem and solution within your chapter. When you finish your final draft, include it in your journal.

4. You will be divided into groups based on your chosen character. Together with your group, create an advertisement selling something the your insect might buy or sell. Your job is to create a poster that will convince your classmates to buy your product. Make sure to include a rough draft of your advertisement in your journal!

! Individually, you need to write a persuasive letter or composition to convince others to buy your product. This will be included in your journal.

! You will then participate in a gallery walk to see what products other students have created.

5. You will be assigned to a group with one or two students that are your same character. Together, write your own poem in the style of one from the book. Make sure to include a copy of your original poem in your journal.

& As a group, you will present your poem to the class through a choral reading.

6. As your final activity, you will write an alternate ending to the book. Remember to stay in character by writing from the point of view of your insect character!

!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"

Evaluation

You will be evaluated at the end of the unit. For group projects, you will be graded on your individual performance. This unit will be evaluated through a journal that you develop that includes all the activities from this assignment.

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4
Completeness and Accuracy of Journal	Journal is missing four or more activities. Most of the activities were not done correctly.	Journal is missing two or three activities. Two or three activities were not done correctly.	Journal is almost complete, but is missing a rough draft or one activity. One activity is not done correctly.	Journal is complete, including interview with the author, chapter from your character's point of view, rough draft of illustrated advertisement, persuasive essay, original poem, and an alternate ending to the story. Assignments were completed accurately.
Spelling and Grammar	Spelling and grammar needs improvement, and prevents the reader from understanding what is being said.	Many spelling and grammar errors cause some questions in comprehension.	Spelling and grammar is basically correct, with few errors that interfere with comprehension.	Spelling and grammar is correct, with few or no errors that do not interfere with comprehension.
An Understanding of the Literature From Another Character's Point of View	Completed work shows a lack of understanding of the character.	Completed work shows a surface understanding of the character.	Completed work shows a basic understanding of the character.	Completed work shows a clear understanding of the character.
Persuasive Essay	Essay does not demonstrate principles of persuasive essays. No support is provided.	Essay has some principles of persuasive essays, but does not provide support.	Essay has some principles of persuasive essays, and provides some support.	Essay shows an understanding of the principles of persuasive essays, and provides logical support.
Original Poem and Presentation	Poem does not follow a structure from the book, and does not reflect the character's point of view. Presentation is unclear and is monotone.	Poem follows a structure from the book at certain points, and very loosely reflects the character's point of view. Presentation is somewhat unclear and is not expressive.	Poem somewhat follows a structure from the book, and loosely reflects the character's point of view. Presentation is somewhat clear and expressive.	Poem follows a structure found in the book, and reflects the chosen character's point of view. Presentation is clear and expressive.

Conclusion

Through this unit, you will gain an understanding of a piece of literature from another character's point of view. Through your chosen character, you will be able create an advertisement and develop a persuasive essay to "sell" your product to other students. Through the various activities, you will have a chance to ride along on the adventure with James and his friends!

If you are interested in learning more about James and his friends, you can visit these sites:

Check out the characters in a play based on the book!

Go Inside the Peach with the Disney Channel!

Check out a review of the "James and the Giant Peach" movie!

Credits & References

Sources of images:

Here is a link to The WebQuest Page.

Here is a link to the Design Patterns Page. If you want, you can acquire the latest version of this template and training materials.

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Last updated on June 28, 2003. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page