1. Travel Back in Time to the Roaring Twenties!
A Fifth Grade WebQuest Created by Gretchen Hornsby
Milford Elementary School
Overview Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Credits

2. Overview
This social studies/language arts web-based project challenges students to become newspaper reporters who research and describe the cultural developments that took place during the 1920’s.
The Georgia Performance Standards addressed in this project include:
SS5H4: The student will describe U.S. involvement in World War I and Post-World War I America.
SS5G2: The student will explain the reasons for the spatial patterns of economic activities.
ELA5R1: The student demonstrates comprehension and shows evidence of a warranted and responsible explanation of a variety of literary and informational texts.
ELA5W1: The student produces writing that establishes and appropriate organizational structure, sets a context and engages the reader, maintains a coherent focus throughout, and signals a satisfying closure.
ELA5W2: The student demonstrates competence in a variety of genres.
ELA5W3: The student uses research and technology to support writing.
Cobb County Technology Standards addressed in this project include:
T.22: The student creates, modifies, and edits documents using desktop publishing tools.
T.24: The student recognizes and uses technology and telecommunication tools to locate information.

3. Introduction
The year is 1927 and the staff at the Daily Dispatch is feverishly working to cover all the exciting developments happening across the nation. The problem is that more and more people are getting their news from listening to the radio instead of reading the newspaper! They need to hire some talented new editors who will dazzle readers with their creative reporting, writing, and research skills. They hope to boost newspaper sales by writing up-to-the-minute news stories and improving the appearance of their paper by featuring photographs not found anywhere else. Do you have what it takes to bring back readers and save the newspaper?
Editors Needed!
After the serious days of World War I, the 1920’s brought good times for many Americans. People were eager for change and wanted to enjoy themselves. For this reason, the 1920’s are often called the Roaring Twenties. This period in our country’s history saw many developments in industry, aviation, entertainment, women’s rights, and African American culture.

4. Task
You and your team have all been hired as editors for the Daily Dispatch. They are counting on your hard work and expert reporting skills! Each member of your team will be assigned to a different reporting role: Industry Editor, Entertainment Editor, Technology Editor, and Cultural/Women’s Suffrage Movement Editor. Your job is to research the latest happenings in your field and write a brief news story that will both inform and entertain your readers! Remember that a picture is worth a thousand words! Good luck!
Click on the pictures below for your specific reporting assignment:

5. Industry Editor
This has been a very exciting decade for new industries and the economy! Your job as the Industry Editor is to research the sources below to learn about these industries and how they have impacted American life. In your news report, be sure to include details about these important developments:
Henry Ford and the assembly line
How people are paying for automobiles and other expensive goods
Other industries that are needed because of the automobile
How these industries are changing where and how people live
Sources you will need in your search:
Your social studies textbook

6. Entertainment Editor Sources you will need in your search:
The 1920’s are also known as the Jazz Age. Many Americans found new sources of entertainment from music, sports, movies, and radio. Your job as the Entertainment Editor is to research the sources below to learn about ways in which Americans were enjoying their Post-World War I days. Be sure to include information about the following developments:
The contributions of Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees and baseball
The rise of Jazz music and the contributions of Louis Armstrong
New developments in film (movies)
Other entertainment developments such as the Harlem Globetrotters.
Sources you will need in your search:
Your social studies textbook

7. Technology Editor
It is amazing how many technological advances are being made in such a short period of time! With each new invention American life changes dramatically. As the Technology Editor, it is your job to keep up with all of these incredible new discoveries and document how they are making life easier for all of us. You will need to use the following sources to learn about the rapid changes we are all experiencing. Be sure to include the following details in your news report:
Charles Lindbergh, The Spirit of St. Louis, and how they increased interest in commercial air travel
The radio, commercial radio stations, and how they are changing life for the American family
Sources you will need in your search:
Your social studies textbook

8. Cultural Editor/Women’s Suffrage Movement
The New York neighborhood of Harlem has become a center for African American artists. Writers, musicians, and other artists have begun gathering here to not only entertain people, but also to share what it is like to be black in the United States. Women are also experiencing new rights and freedoms. In your news report, please include details about the following developments:
Langston Hughes and his contribution to the Harlem Renaissance
The art of Jazz music and how it began
Why the Harlem Renaissance is considered to be a “rebirth” for African Americans
Other ways (besides the arts) in which African Americans are thriving
New rights for women
Sources you will need in your search:
Your social studies text book

9. Process
You and your teammates need to follow these steps to ensure the best possible newspaper project:
Carefully read your job description and ask the chief editor (your teacher) if you have questions or need help understanding your topic.
Carefully read the evaluation before starting your reporting job.
Review all the sources provided to gather as much information as possible. Write down important facts, dates, and other information you want to include in your news report. It would be a good idea to use index cards for your notes. You may also want to copy and save a few pictures that would enhance the quality of your reporting.
Once you have enough information, write a rough draft of your news article. Make sure to skip lines so a teammate has room to write suggestions. Remember that your article needs to inform readers, but should still be fun and interesting to read.
Have a teammate read your draft and make suggestions for improvement. Make sure you have included all important information listed in your job description. Make notes about new ideas or other changes. Both you and a partner need to check your work for spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors.
Write a second draft that includes all of your changes, ideas, and corrections.
With your teammates, use Microsoft Publisher to select a newsletter format for your newspaper. You will each need to type your news story. Work together to select Clip Art, pictures, and other visual graphics to make your project original and professional. Don’t forget to save your work every few minutes!
When your team has finished, present your project to the class. Make sure each reporter on your team has an important part in this presentation.
Submit your newspaper to the chief editor (your teacher) for evaluation.
Think about your project and answer the questions on the Conclusion page.

10. Evaluation Accomplished Editor Developing Beginning Self Evaluation
Chief Editor
Required
Elements
(20 Points)
All required details were covered thoroughly and the editor took a great interest in the topic.
Most of the required details were covered. Some ideas could be explained in greater detail.
Some required elements may be missing. More time researching the topic is needed to make this a final draft.
Writing
Skills
The writing is pleasant and easy to read. It is informative yet entertaining. Three or fewer errors made in structure, grammar, or spelling.
The writing is informative. The editor could spend more time developing the creativity or structure of the writing. Three to six errors in the piece.
The writing is off to a good start. More revision is needed to make this piece a final draft. Six or more errors may interfere with the meaning or enjoyment of the writing. Work with a partner and the teacher to revise.
Technology
Technology was used appropriately and successfully. The product is professional and new skills were gained in the process.
The editor gained new technology skills from completing the project. The finished product may be basic or need a few changes to make it professional.
The editor is learning to use the technology required for the project. Some one-on-one assistance may be needed to gain the skills necessary to create the finished product.
Presentation
The editor had a meaningful role in the group presentation. The speaker was prepared and confident.
The editor had a limited role in the group presentation. Continue practicing speaking skills.
The editor had little or no part in the presentation of the project. More planning and practice is needed.
Team
Cooperation
My team worked well together. If there were problems, they were resolved quickly and without much teacher intervention.
My team struggled at times, but it did not have a negative impact on the final product. We resolved conflicts eventually and may have needed some assistance .
My team struggled to work together and this made the project difficult to complete. Some problems are unresolved. The group will need more time and teacher conferences to resolve differences and complete the task.

11. Conclusion
Outstanding reporting, editors! Newsstands are selling out of the Daily Dispatch and your feature stories are the talk of the town! Take a moment to reflect upon what you have accomplished and how much you have learned.
3-2-1 Summary:
Name three people who played an important role in the Roaring Twenties.
List two ways in which America is a better place today because of this dynamic decade.
Identify the most important person, event, or thing to remember about the 1920’s (in your opinion).
Free Response:
What did you learn about technology while completing this project?
How might you use these technology skills in the future?
Describe one challenge you and your teammates had to overcome to accomplish this task. You may focus on any part of the project.

12. Credits
The Roaring Twenties, Harcourt Brace Social Studies Grade 5, p