Boles 1
Title: Life of Pi
Description: This web quest should be used to further the students understanding
of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, to help deepen their understanding of the novel
Life of Pi by Yann Martel and the important role in which religion plays
throughout the novel. Students will also explore what it is like to journal their lives
the way in which Pi did while trapped on the boat.
Grade Level: 11th-12th Grade
Curriculum: English/Language Arts
Boles 2
Grab your life vests! There has been a loud explosion and the boat is taking on
water! You are now lost at sea, alone in a boat! Except you are not alone! To
maintain your sanity you keep a journal documenting your interesting and dynamic
relationship you seek out with God through Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism.
You want to be sure that in case your ship is ever found that you have kept record
of what you believe so that people know what you stood for, and there will be
something left of the person you were.
Boles 3
In this assignment, you will use the internet to research Christianity, Islam, and
Hinduism. After completing your research you will then construct a sort of
comparison chart or diagram (chart or Venn diagram is suggested) to closely
compare the three religions. After constructing your comparison chart, you will
make a fake journal entry for each religion, describing how its beliefs and values
have helped you to cope and survive on the ship, just like Pi’s faith did while he
was trapped on his life boat.
Boles 4
For whichever type of chart, or diagram you use to compare the Islam, Christianity, and
Hinduism, you must be sure to compare at least TEN different things about each of the
religions. This could include but is not limited to things such as, how far the religion
dates back, who founded it, where it originated, how each religion views the other two,
means of salvation, afterlife, the God they worship, sacred texts, type of theism, how
large the religion is, how each religion views Jesus, human nature, view of sacred text,
etc. After thoroughly researching and comparing these three religions, you must write
three journal entries using the knowledge you have acquired through the research to write
a fake journal entry, of at least one full page in length, about how each of these religions
have helped you to cope with life on the life boat. You will need to have on journal entry
per religion (You should end up with a total of three journal entries). You will also need
to create an account at Delicious.com to bookmark all of the websites used and/or read.
You will need to flag each bookmark with “Web quest”. You will also need to turn in
your Delicious.com user name so that your teacher can go in and grade your bookmarks.
You will need to have at least FIVE quality, credible websites bookmarked. Feel free to
list your Delicious.com username at the bottom of the page that your comparison chart or
diagram is on.
Boles 5
Some websites you may use but are not limited to are listed below.
http://christianityinview.com/xncomparison.html
http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/comparison_charts/islam_judaism_chris
tianity.htm
http://www.islamfortoday.com/beliefs.htm#christianity
Note: You may also want to research testimonies from people of each
religion to better understand the impact that the religion has on an
individual. This could make writing your journal entries a little easier.
Boles 6
Exemplary
Accomplished Developed
Beginning
Quality of
Information
gathered/sites
visited
Information
that is used
by student
and/or on
website is
credible,
valid,
supported on
multiple
websites, and
educational
and on topic.
Five or more
websites are
bookmarked.
Information that
is used by
student and/or
website is
credible,
valuable, may be
supported by
multiple
websites,
educational, and
most of the time
is on topic.
Four to five
websites are
bookmarked.
Information
that is used
by student
and/or
website is
occasionally
unreliable,
only
sometimes
supported by
multiple
websites,
occasionally
off topic.
Three to four
websites
bookmarked.
Comparison
Chart or
Diagram
Ten or more
things in each
religion
compared.
Thorough in
the
information
provided in
diagram or
chart.
Journal
entries
One or more
full pages in
length.
Displays
proper use of
mechanics
and grammar.
Wellconstructed
Nine to ten
things in each
religion
compared. Fairly
thorough in
information
provided in
diagram or
chart. Could use
more
elaboration and
include more
details in some
of their
information.
One full page in
length. Displays
proper use of
mechanics and
grammar with
minor mistakes.
Wellconstructed
paragraphs and
Seven to nine
things in each
religion
compared.
Sometimes
thorough
information
provided in
diagram or
chart. Needs
more
elaboration
and details in
most of their
information.
Half of page
to one full
page in
length.
Several
mistakes with
grammar and
mechanics.
Paragraphs
Information
that is used
by student
and/or
website is
almost
always
unreliable,
vague, almost
never
supported by
multiple
websites, and
often off
topic. One to
two websites
are
bookmarked.
Six or fewer
things in each
religioned
compared.
Rarely
thorough
information
provided in
diagram or
chart. Needs
more
elaboration
and details in
all of their
information.
Half of a page
to one full
page in
length.
Consistent
mistakes in
grammar and
mechanics
throughout
Score
Boles 7
paragraphs
and ideas.
Entries are
thought
provoking,
creative and
well thought
out.
Believable
and obviously
well
researched.
ideas. Entries are
thought
provoking, and
fairly creative.
Believable and
fairly well
researched.
not fully
developed/
too many
ideas in one
paragraph.
Fairly
thought
provoking
and creative.
Somewhat
believable
and little
evidence of
research.
journal.
Paragraphs
and ideas are
poorly
developed.
Entries are
not thought
provoking or
creative, nor
are they
believable. No
evidence of
research.
Boles 8
Thank heavens! You have been rescued! A passing ship spotted your life
boat and saved you!
Now that you have learned about Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam, do
you think that you would have been able to maintain any sanity on a
boat by yourself be practicing any of these religions?
Now that you have explored the beliefs of these other religions,
hopefully you have gained a better understanding that you can use to
help break down stereotypes and celebrate diversity!