Fun, funny, interesting Holes webquest

This webquest on Holes, by Louis Sachar, includes five activities that add to students’ understanding of the novel and give students the opportunity to practice different skills in English Language Arts. The webquest follows the format laid out by Dodge’s model. The introduction sets the stage for the activities by introducing the novel, then the teacher (as a scary, narrating Warden) introduces students to Camp Green Lake. The Warden/teacher/narrator tells students that they will be digging their own 5x5 foot holes (the “task”), but that their holes are made of assignments for each foot deep and wide (making 5 total assignments—I’m afraid the math doesn’t quite work out). If students do not complete their assignments, they may face the Warden’s venomous red nail polish. (I imagine a teacher introducing this webquest could have some costume fun.)

The first assignment requires that students research real outlaws from the time period of Kissin’ Kate Barlow. Then, students must choose an outlaw or invent their own, and create a character who is trying to catch their outlaw, and answer questions about their characters. The assignment includes a link to a page with information about outlaws of the time (with links on that page to more information). The second assignment requires students to answer questions on a worksheet about racism in the United States, using a linked set of outside websites (through the website for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day). The third assignment requires students to interview the oldest relative they can find about his or her ancestry, family and memories. The fourth assignment is a Mad Lib about the novel, which gives students an opportunity to practice grammar in context (the only way grammar instruction works). The fifth assignment requires that students think about the stereotype of gypsies presented in the novel, and links to a website that gives information about gypsies.

This webquest would be excellent for 6^th-8^th grades. I think that, beyond 8^th grade, students may find the wording to be a little too cutesy. The tasks are clear. They cover a range of skills (writing, interviewing, using grammar) and topics that appear in the novel. The links provided offer a variety of interesting background information, and clicking through them will hone students’ research skills and ability to navigate the web.

Below are a few other webquests I found interesting (though imperfect).

Holes webquests:

http://library.thinkquest.org/J0113061/ (not a webquest, technically, but still great)

http://www.marinette.k12.wi.us/ms/holes/

http://www.columbia.k12.mo.us/pke/kline/holes.html

http://members.cox.net/adutton1/holes.html (This one has some great projects.)

Seedfolks webquests:

http://teacherweb.com/MA/Applewild/SeedfolksWebQuest/photo1.aspx

http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/library/crc/webquest/seedfolks/

The Giver webquests:

http://www.nycsd.k12.pa.us/tchr/webquests/giver/default.html

http://www.nelliemuller.com/theperfectsociety.webquest.htm