JFK: Fact or Conspiracy?
Introduction
Task
Process
Evaluation
Conclusion
Credits and
References
Lesson Plan
A WebQuest for 9th Grade
US History
Designed by – Kevin Niemczura
kniemczura@mayfieldschools.org
Introduction
November 22, 1963: President John F. Kennedy
was shot and killed in Dallas, Texas. The
government’s official report claims it was the act
of a lone gunmen. However, conspiracy
abounds. Was it the CIA? The Cubans? The
Russians? Were there multiple shooters? Your
job will be to find out what really happened that
fateful afternoon in Dallas and report to the
American government and people.
Task
You are being called upon to determine the true
culprit(s) of the JFK assassination
You will choose groups of 3 to examine this issue.
Each group will include a reporter, researcher, and
supervisor.
Your ending project will be a newspaper article or an
official report to the American government and the
people on your account of the truth: you will also
present your findings.
You may also utilize YouTube or other multimedia for
the presentation component of this assignment
Process
1. Create your team: you will need a researcher, reporter, and supervisor
2. Research and summarize at least 3 different theories commonly considered as
plausible for the Kennedy assassination
3. Use the following resources to examine the assassination and your theories:
http://www.archives.gov/research/jfk/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwmaTT8oWec
http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/home.htm
http://www.jfk-assassination.com/
http://www.jfk.org/
4. Choose one theory you researched for the assassination to use as the “truth”
5. Choose your product: create a newspaper article describing the assassination or
create the official report for the Warren Commission for the government- This requires
a minimum of 2 pages (double spaced or in newspaper format)
6. Present your final product to the class: you may also choose to create a
presentation using YouTube or other multimedia
Evaluation- each member will receive a group grade
Category
Exceeds standard
(4)
Meets standard (3)
Meets part of the
standard (2)
Does not meet
standard (1)
Write arguments to support
claims in an analysis of
substantive topics or
texts, using valid
reasoning and relevant
and sufficient evidence.
Contains at least
five accurate
facts
Contains 3-4 pertinent
facts
Contains 1-2 facts
Does not contain facts
on the topic
Gather relevant information from
multiple print and digital
sources, assess the
credibility and accuracy
of each
source, and integrate the
information while
avoiding plagiarism.
All sources are
cited properly
using credible
sources
All sources are cited
but one or two
errors exist in
the citation
Several sources are
not quoted
correctly and
sources are not
all credible
Sources are not cited
and/or lack
credibility
Produce clear and coherent
writing in which the
development,
organization,
and style are appropriate to
task, purpose, and
audience.
1 or no errors exist
in the paper
which distract
from the
reader’s
attention
2 or 3 errors exist in
the paper which
distract from the
reader’s
attention
More than 3 errors
exist in the
paper which
distract the
reader’s
attention
The paper is filled
with many
errors. It is
extremely
difficult to read
and follow
Conclusion
Congratulations! Having completed this webquest you
now have a better understanding of the JFK
assassination. I challenge you to examine historical
events from many angles and take into consideration
multiple explanations. You should learn to make
conclusions based on many sources. Do not simply
accept media interpretations of events. Look at the
news daily and draw your own conclusion on current
events and their significance.
Credits and References
A special thanks to Fresno Pacific University and San Diego State University
The following resources were used for this webquest:
JFK Assassination Records. National Archives. (Online) 30 June,2011.
http://www.archives.gov/research/jfk/
JFK Assassination Video. (Online video) 30 June 2011.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwmaTT8oWec
John F. Kennedy. The History Channel. (Online) 30 June 2011.
http://www.history.com/topics/john-fkennedy/videos?paidlink=1&vid=HIS_SEM_Search&keywords=jfk%2Bdeath&utm_source=go
ogle&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=presidents&utm_term=jfk%20death#jfk-a-newgeneration
McAdams, John. The Kennedy Assassination. (Online) 30 June 2011.
http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/home.htm
The John F. Kennedy Assassination Home Page. (Online) 30 June 2011.
http://www.jfk-assassination.com/
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. (Online) 30 June 2011. http://www.jfk.org/
http://webquest.sdsu.edu/LessonTemplate.html
Google Images
Lesson Plan
Title: JFK: Fact or Conspiracy?
Grade Level: 9th grade US History
Standards:
1. Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and
sufficient evidence.
2. Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, assess the credibility and accuracy of each source,
and integrate the information while avoiding plagiarism.
3. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose,
and audience.
Objectives:
1. TSWBAT: develop theses and use evidence to support or refute positions.
2. TSWBAT: Identify possible alternative explanations for historical events
3. TSWBAT: Identify credible web and print materials for research
4. TSWBAT: Use persuasion as a technique to deliver orally presented material
Materials: computer lab with internet and video access, projector, SmartBoard
Procedures: 1. students broken up into groups of 3 and roles chosen (researcher, reporter, and supervisor)
2. Students research and summarize 3 JFK assassination conspiracies in the computer lab
3. Each group chooses one theory as the real story of the assassination
4. Students choose: Create a newspaper article or a report to the Warren Commission on their findings
5. Students present their findings to the class (can also create a YouTube or other multimedia presentation
Assessment:: Students will receive a group grade based on the rubric (see Evaluation component of webquest)