Kate Benchoff’s Index Page

Course Assignments:

Web Bibliography – A comprehensive look at The Great Gatsby (http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/slm/student/benchoffk/webbib.htm)

Check out this collection of websites on all things “Gatsby” – the historical context, more about the author, and some character analysis.

Search Engines - What to use and when to use it (http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/slm/student/benchoffk/sengines.htm)

This page offers information and advice on where, when, and how to use the various search engines available to the world.

Course Module One – A comprehensive course activity to introduce students to primary sources on the web. (http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/slm/student/benchoffk/moduleone.htm)

Electives:

Lesson Plans on the Web – A helpful index to websites with ready-to-use English lesson plans (http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/slm/student/benchoffk/lessonplans.htm)

Visit this page to access the top five sites for creative and easily accessed high school English plans.

Free Teacher Handouts – This top-ten list will guide you on your quest for quick, easy handouts for the high school English teacher. These sites provide everything form grammar practice to reading comprehension to graphic organizers – sure to make your job at least a little easier. (http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/slm/student/benchoffk/handout.htm)

Making a Great Media Center Site – Here is a quick list of helpful tips when creating a school library website. This page will offer specific pointers about what to include when you are designing a school library website and how to include it. (http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/slm/student/benchoffk/schoolpage.htm)

The Life and Times of Geoffrey Chaucer – Complete, reliable information about Medieval Europe, as discovered through audio and media clips.

Use this site when introducing students to The Canterbury Tales in order to historically contextualize the work. (http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/slm/student/benchoffk/audio.htm)

Internet Filtering: Protecting Students AND Their Freedom – A brief table of just a few of the many pros and cons to internet filtering, along with the reflections on each from an educator’s perspective. Namely, mine. (http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/slm/student/benchoffk/filtering.htm)

Web Drop-Ins – The first three lessons center on The Crucible, McCarthyism, and Arthur Miller. The final two are activities related to The Great Gatsby.

Web Drop-In #1: McCarthyism and The Crucible (http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/slm/student/benchoffk/dropinone.htm)

For this activity, students will learn more about McCarthyism and how it influenced Arthur Miller to write The Crucible.

Web Drop-In #2: Arthur Miller (http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/slm/student/benchoffk/dropintwo.htm)

Students will explore the PBS site dedicated to The Crucible author and his life. Afterwards, they will compose a brief question and answer guide to Arthur Miller, including questions about his background and influences.

Web Drop-In #3: Experience the Salem Witch Trials (http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/slm/student/benchoffk/dropinthree.htm)

Students will have the opportunity to experience the atmosphere and tension of life during the Salem Witch Trials. When they are finished, they will be reflecting on both their personal reaction and the overall experience.

Web Drop-In #4: The Great Gatsby Film Analysis (http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/slm/student/benchoffk/dropinfour.htm)

In order to better understand The Great Gatsby, students will compare critical reviews of the film starring Robert Redford. They will develop their own critical opinion of both the film and the film critics.

Web Drop-In #5: The Culture of the 1920’s (http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/slm/student/benchoffk/dropinfive.htm)

Students will analyze the culture of the 1920’s and how it relates to the characters from The Great Gatsby. In addition, they will be designing or choosing and explaining symbols to represent values from the decade.