Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner A Victorian Dinner Party

Introduction The Victorian Era (1837-1901) in Western Europe was a time of explosive thinking, learning and creativity. The greatest figures of this period were known for pushing forward to an era of new ideas and creativity.

Task You will be throwing a virtual dinner party with some of the most notable figures of the Victorian Era. A good party requires a variety of interesting guests, a well planned menu, and a host or hostess who is interested in his or her guests. In order to prepare your party you will research potential guests, menus, and create questions in case conversation lags.

Procedure Create a guest list of six Victorian Era people plus yourself Research the six historical figures (maximum of two per category) Categories: Politicians, Scientists, Doctors/Medical researchers, Philosophers, Writers/Artists, Religious figures Write at least four questions for each guest and provide historically accurate answers for them.

Procedure, cont. Create a seating chart and plan a historically accurate menu. Create a power point or a poster which shows your guests, the seating arrangement, why you chose each guest, and what questions you would ask each one.

Checklist Six historical figures Four higher level discussion questions for each figure Answers to questions for the figures Menu Rationale for each guest choice Power point or poster (see examples)

Rubric CATEGORY 4 3 2 1 Graphics - Relevance Required Elements All graphics are related to the topic and make it easier to understand. All borrowed graphics have a source citation. All graphics are related to the topic and most make it easier to understand. All borrowed graphics have a source citation. All graphics relate to the topic. Most borrowed graphics have a source citation. Graphics do not relate to the topic OR several borrowed graphics do not have a source citation. Required Elements The poster or power point includes all required elements as well as additional information. All required elements are included on the poster or power point All but 1 of the required elements are included on the poster or power point Several required elements were missing. Questions The questions asked for each guest were thoughtful and relevant. The answers given for the guests were complete and reflected a high level of understanding of the figure's beliefs and ideas. Most of the questions asked for each guest were thoughtful and relevant. The answers given for the guests were complete and reflected some basic understanding of the figure's beliefs and ideas. The questions asked for each guest were not very thoughtful or relevant. The answers given for the guests were incomplete and reflected only a basic understanding of the figure's beliefs and ideas. The questions were neither thoughtful nor relevant. The answers given reflected little understanding of the figure's beliefs and ideas. Rationale for guests The reasons given for each guest choice demonstrates thorough research, personal preference, and careful thought. The reasons given for each guest choice demonstrates some research, personal preference, and some thought. The reasons given for each guest choice demonstrates inadequate research and ineffective thought. The reasons given for each guest choice demonstrates minimal research and minimal thought. Menu Menu demonstrates thorough research on Victorian food customs Menu demonstrates adequate research on Victorian food customs Menu demonstrates little research on Victorian food customs Menu demonstrates no research on Victorian food customs