A Webquest on Historical Letters for the 9th Grade

By Susan@abney.com

TASK:

You are an actor/actress who is auditioning for the role of a lifetime! You

are to portray a famous historical figure and must study the character through the

letters that he/she wrote.

Through researching on the following websites, analyze what type of person the

author was through the written letters. How will you portray the historical

figure?

Write a 1 page character analysis and a 1 minute audition script for how you think

the character would best be portrayed. The auditions will be presented-

performed in front of class.

By doing the web quest, you will learn about a historical figure, what he or she

was like, how he/she dressed and other important facts that you will use in your

audition. You will also learn how to perform in front of your classmates, how to

judge an audition and how to write a script. Enjoy!

Choose from the following, or choose your own:

Anne Frank

Dolly Madison

Eleanor Roosevelt

Martha Washington

Abe Lincoln

Lyndon B. Johnson

George Washington

1. Start looking for your historical figure. Check out these sites to decide who

you will portray.

http://www.annefrank.org/

http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=4

http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Eleanor_Roosevelt

http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/served/martha.html

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/abrahamlincoln

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/lyndonbjohnson

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/georgewashington

Then:

2. Email Mrs. Abney and tell her who you chose and why. Something more

than, because she is cool. What do you find interesting about this person?

Send me 10 interesting facts about the person IN YOUR OWN WORDS.

Sla0107@westminstercollege.edu

Then:

3. Copy a picture from the above websites and attach the picture of your

historical figure to this document here:

4. Go to the following websites and find at least 3 letters written by this

person. Then, copy and paste your letters in a Word document and

highlight what you believe are the most telling details in the letters about

your historical person

http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/

http://www.loveletters.com/loveletters/historic/

http://www.firstladies.org/bibliography/manuscripts.aspx?bioid=37

http://www2.vcdh.virginia.edu/madison/

1._________________________________________________________

2._________________________________________________________

3._________________________________________________________

5. Time to fill out a graphic organizer about your historical figure.

Go to this site,

http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS314

&q=character+analysis+graphic+organizer&aq=2&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=chara

cter+analysis

And then print out the document, and fill out your graphic organizer.

With your organizer, start thinking about your script. How does this person

speak? With an accent? What did she wear?

6. Next, look on this website and watch this movie find out how to write a

short script for your audition. Name 4 tips on how to write a script.

http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Write-a-Script-14073221

1.________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

2._________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

3.__________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

4.__________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

7. Write your short script, 1 minute. Make sure you check out this other site

to help you figure out what you want to portray.

http://www.screenwriting.info/

8. Now that your script is written and saved in Word, look at these sites to

help you prepare your audition.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4509994_prepare-play-audition.html

http://www.howtodothings.com/hobbies/how-to-prepare-for-acting-

auditions

9. What are 5 things you need to remember when you audition? Watch the

attached video from YouTube. Add those 5 suggestions to your script in

your Word document.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvS51qz56A0

1.__________________________________________________________

2.__________________________________________________________

3.__________________________________________________________

4.__________________________________________________________

5.__________________________________________________________

10. You will be “judging” your peers for the audition. Please look at the

following site and find 3 suggestions that you should remember while

looking for your actor.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5724437_judge-talent-show.html

1._______________________________________________________

2._______________________________________________________

3._______________________________________________________

11. Print out your script, and send it to 2 of your classmates for peer review.

See peer review sheet.

12. Start studying your script! You can dress like your character; remember to

change your speech patterns if necessary! You may also use note cards to

glance at your script if needed.