By: Amy McKinstry EDU 505

 Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick tells the story of two deaf children named Ben and Rose. Their stories are set fifty years apart, Ben’s is told in words while Rose’s is told in pictures. We follow them as Ben dreams about a father he has never met and Rose dreams about an actress whose life she scrapbooks. Both children travel to New York City on an adventure to discover what is missing in their lives.

 Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick is a realistic/historical fiction book. This means that the author may include real places, events, and figures from history throughout the book. You and your partners task is to explore some of the real life places that Selznick includes in Wonderstruck and learn about sign language.

Task #1: American Museum of Natural History 1. Go to this website: Choose one video to watch and listen to the author of Wonderstruck describe this section of the museum that he included in his book. 3. Write three things that you learn about this section of the museum.

Task #2: The Panorama of the city 1. Go to this website: Read about the Panorama of New York City at the Queens Museum 3. Answer the questions on the next slide about the panorama.

Questions about the Panorama. Please write your responses in your notebook. 1. How big is the panorama? 2. Why was the panorama created? 3. How many individual structures does the panorama include? 4. Would you be interested in visiting the panorama? Why or why not?

Task #3: Sign Language Ben and Rose both have hearing problems and learn to communicate through sign language. Go to the websites listed below and practice using sign language with your partner. One person sign and the other person guesses what their partner is trying to say. Afterwards write a paragraph about your experience using sign language. Imagine if this was the way you communicated all the time. igndesign/finger-spelling.html gngamecolor.swf

 Even though you are working with your partner, each of you is responsible for completing each part of this assignment.  All answers should be written in your journal.  You will be evaluated on spelling, grammar, and punctuation so pay attention to this.

 Realistic/Historical Fiction books not only include a brilliant story line but they also can teach you about place, people, and events that you might not have heard of before. Brian Selznick’s book Wonderstruck is a fine example of this genre. Can you think of any other books you have read that fit this genre? What do you think about this genre? Discuss with your partner.

 This is a webquest that I would use after my class had read Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick. I think it’s important for the students to realize that the places that the author talks about in his book are real. Since my students may never get the chance to actually visit these places, I feel that this webquest gives them the opportunity for them to explore a new area.