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F. Scott Fitzgerald and the
1920's
F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece, The Great Gatsby,
is thought by many to be the definitive novel of the
1920's. This fascinating era, known also as the
Roaring Twenties or the Jazz Age, was a time of
great social, economic, and cultural change in
America. All of this is reflected throughout the novel
by a number of parties, both large and small. You can
tell much about people by their parties: their tastes,
their social status, their friends, their lifestyles. And
besides, who doesn't love a party?
The Task
Your task for this WebQuest is to become "party planners" and collaborate to plan a Jazz Age bash worthy of F. Scott and
Zelda Fitzgerald themselves. Each of you will choose a role, and you will research the 1920's from the perspective of that
role. After you've gathered the information and shared it with the other members of your group, you will all collaborate to
create your party for the class (minus the bathtub gin, of course!).
The Process
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You will plan a Jazz Age party that will include appropriate entertainment, guests, attire, food and libations
(beverages).
In a group of four you will research the historical, cultural and social background for information which will lead
you to make your choices for your party plan.
Each individual will be responsible for helping to research background information with the group, gathering
information regarding his/her role as well as the success of the group in planning the party.
Read or review the description of Jay Gatsby's party in chapter three of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby.
Pay particular attention to the description of the food, the drinks, the entertainment, the dress and the guests.
With your group members, divide up the background sources on Fitzgerald and the 1920s. The first four web
sources below have a lot of background information, but feel free to branch out and search for your own sources.
Use the Background Research Form to list the interesting facts/information that you find and to indicate you
might want to know more about.
After your group members have searched all of the sites among you, meet and share what you have found.
One by one, read the interesting facts that you have found to each other.
See if other members of the group can "fill-in-the-blanks" for you regarding the information that you listed in #4
of your background forms. The goal of this step is to "debrief" the information you've found so that you all have some
common knowledge about the time period and what the lives of people like Zelda and Scott were like. Although your
discussions will be informal, there should be considerable dialogue about what you have learned about this era. This
background will also help you, individually, to make an informed choice about your role in the next step.
Next, among yourselves, choose your roles (each member of the group will have a different role):
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Caterer: You are responsible for the food and beverages. It is up to you to plan the menu. Do not
merely replicate the one given in the novel but give some care and consideration to what to serve the large
and diverse cadre of people who will be coming to your party. You are also planning for a time before
microwaves and "fast" foods, so keep that in mind (no chips or nachos!) Your more difficult task, however, will
be to stock the beverages. Remember this is during Prohibition, so you will be required to research just how
and where you're going to be able to find the kind of beverages described in the novel.
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Entertainment Coordinator: You are responsible for the entertainment for the party. What was
popular in music and dance during the time? What other forms of entertainment were popular during the
twenties (games, activities, etc.) that people at your party might engage in? What performers, artists,
composers, etc. might you want to invite and/or hire to entertain at your party?
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Fashion Consultant: You are responsible for assisting the guests in choosing appropriate dress
for the event. Since this is a formal affair, how, specifically, would you suggest they dress. Don't forget the
accessories: hats, shoes, purses, gloves, ties, etc. Pay attention to the details (just like you do when you go to
the prom!). Of equal importance, the fashion consultant must alert the guests on what not to wear; you don't
want any of the guests showing up in anything out-of-date, unfashionable, or inappropriate!
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Guest Coordinator: You are responsible for setting the guest list. You want a representative guest
list of as many walks of life of the twenties as possible; it would not have been unusual for a known bootlegger
to "hob nob" with the police commissioner, for example. You will choose at least three people living in the
twenties from each of the following areas to invite: [minimum of 15 invited guests -- most of the people at
Gatsby's parties just show up anyway!]
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government/politics
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the arts (i.e. painting, sculpture, classical music)
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popular entertainment (movies, Broadway theater, radio, sports)
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business community
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the "mob"
Now you will begin your role research. Use the Role Research Form to guide your notetaking, but don't let its
structure keep you from writing down any interesting facts or anecdotes about the twenties that may help make your
party presentation interesting.
Assessment
You will be graded individually (50 points) on the quality of the research for your specific role and your sharing of it with
your group. You will receive a group grade (50 points for each member) for the planning, preparation, and presentation of
your party to the class. The requirements for your presentation are as follows:
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Your group should prepare to give a 8-10 minute presentation on your party plans. Each member of your
group will present, so you should plan on about 2 minutes each.
Your group needs to have visual aids and sound effects to go along with your presentation. You may use
PowerPoint, video, music, photos, posters, sound clips, etc. Just remember your time limits!
You will need to turn in every paper, filled out of course, that I give you in regards to this assignments, so
PLEASE keep everything together until it is time to hand it all in.
You will receive a rubric for the group score and for your individual score, so you will know exactly what I am
looking for.
BACKGROUND RESEARCH FORM
Project Name: F. Scott Fitzgerald and the 1920s
Student’s Name:
1. What is the goal of your project?
2. Source Information:
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Resource Name:
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Resource URL (if Internet source):
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Author’s Name:
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Publishing Organization (including city/state):
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Date of Last Revision (if any):
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Date retrieved:
3. List at least three facts about the 1920s that you learned from consulting
this source that you didn’t know before.
4. List at least two things that intrigued you that you’d like to know more
about.
ROLE RESEARCH FORM
Project Name: F. Scott Fitzgerald and the 1920s
Student’s Name:
1. What is the goal of your project?
2 What is your individual role?
3. Source Information:
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Resource Name:
·
Resource URL (if Internet source):
·
Author’s Name:
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Publishing Organization (including city/state):
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Date of Last Revision (if any):
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Date retrieved:
4. Information Format (text, picture, movie):
5. Does the format of the information help you accomplish your goal?
How?
6. Paste or write information that will be helpful in completing the task of
your role: