The Process
Step One
What You Need to Do for Step One:
In step one you need to divide the students into groups of four. These groups need to work together cooperatively and share their many diverse talents to create a cohesive portfolio so they should be placed in diverse groups. One the students meet with their group, they need to choose in which period they would like to base their version of Wuthering Heights. Depending upon your objectives, you may want to specify which period they may choose or you may want to allow them to choose from other periods. This aspect of the webquest could easily be turned into an interdisciplinary lesson with history. Make sure that if students choose to set their rewrite in present day that they know they need to support thier decisions based upon the period with research. Students need to become an expert in the culture and events of the time they choose. Below are the directions given to the students for step one:
Student Directions:
You will be divided into groups of four students and will work with this group for the rest of the project. The first choice your group must make is which period your group wants to use as the setting of your rewrite. You may choose any period, but the following four are suggested:
Step 2
What You Need to Do for Step Two:
In step two the students are going to break up into roles to research their period. They will each be responsible for a section of the portfolio. You may want to assign roles based on their talents or challenges or you may let them choose thier own roles. The students can do their research either together or seperately depending upon your preference and the available resources. After they have created their research and a rough draft of their contribution to the portfolio, the students will meet and discuss their findings and incorporate any valid information into their section of the portfolio. Below are the directions given to the students for step two:
Student Directions:
Now that you have chosen your period, it is now time to chose your first role. The possible roles are as follows:
After everyone in your group has researched their roles and completed their individual projects, your group will meet again and discuss your findings and how this might affect the rewrite.
Step 3
What You Need to Do for Step Three:
In step three each group member is going to choose a character to become. They will then go and research the character and try to familiarize themselves with their characters. While much of this will be individual research, it might be a good idea to suggest to the students that they meet together to create some aspects. For example, Heathcliff's entrance into the family affects Catherine greatly so she may need to know how he became a part of her family before she can construct the rest of her character. After the students feel that they have created a solid personna and background for their character, they will meet again as a group and write a scene that demonstrates each character's history, personality, and the relationship between the four characters. The scene should not directly mirror that of any scene in Wuthering Heights, but should represent the characters emotions and attitudes toward each other. You may wish to circulate and offer suggestions as the students begin this part of the process as they may have difficulty getting started. Below are the directions given to the students for step three:
Student Directions:
Now that you have learned about your period, it is time to prepare for the rewrite. Each member in your group should choose one of the following characters:
Heathcliff
Catherine
Linton
Isabella
Your character analysis should be based mainly upon the text. However, you can check the following links for some help with your character:
Short description of the Characters
Once you have chosen your character, you should converse as a group, trying to figure out how the characters fit together. Things to discuss include occupation, education, origin, and relations to the other characters. Once you have decided upon these basics you will split up and research your character in more depth until you feel like you understand his or her motivations. Write a page about your character, his or her interests, hobbies, background, mannerisms, etc. Then you will rejoin your group and sit down to write the script. You may wish to start with all the characters at the same place, or with only two interacting, that is up to your group. Each person is responsible for creating their character's actions and dialogue in response to the other characters. This scene should be approximately five pages long, written in play format and include stage directions for character actions. Do not forget to incorporate elements of love, revenge, and betrayal. Good luck with your script and don't forget to include all of your work in your portfolio!