MANIAC MAGEE WEBQUEST
Maniac Magee is the story of a homeless orphan who is always running.
Maniac finds himself in Two Mills and learns that the town is divided by
race. Not understanding the segregation, Maniac tries to unify the town. He
becomes famous when he overcomes bullying, being racially discriminated,
and finding a place where he belongs.
This WebQuest will focus on racism. Through this WebQuest, you will think
about how Maniac experienced racism in Two Mills. You will explore what
racism is and also ways to stop racism.
Imagine that you are Jeffrey "Maniac" Magee and you have been invited to a Multicultural
Fair to talk about racism. You'll need to create a poster board that will explain the following
topics:
1. About Me
Who are you, where were you born, and what brought you to Two Mills?
2. My Experience With Racism
What did you experience in Two Mills?
3. How to Stop Racism
What are ways that we can promote racial unity today?
Follow the activities from this WebQuest. Use the information you have gathered to create
and decorate your poster board.
About Me
You will need to introduce yourself at the Multicultural Fair.

Character Map - Fill out this character map and paste it onto your poster board. Then
write a paragraph with at least 3 details from your concept map. Make sure you give
an explanation for each detail that you mention!
My Experience With Racism
What is Race?
Two Mills was divided by race--Black people lived on the east and White people lived on the
west.

Sorting People - Check out this website!
1. Click "Begin Sorting" and play the game. Click "Next" when you're done.
2. Look at your results. Right-click anywhere on the screen and select "Print." (Ask
me if you need help printing!)
3. Paste this on your poster board!
Think about how you did in the game. Why is it silly to categorize people by race? On
an index card, write 1 detail about how Maniac felt about skin color and give an
explanation. Remember, you are writing as if you are Maniac! Put this on your poster
board too!
What is Racism?
Some people in Two Mills were treated unfairly because of their race.

Racism Takes Many Different Forms - Go to this website and take a look at the 3
different forms of racism. Pick one of the forms of racism and relate it to one of
Maniac's experiences. Draw a picture to show what happened. You may use speech
bubbles to show what people are saying or thinking. Somewhere on your paper, write
what type of racism it is. You guessed it--paste this on your poster board!
How to Stop Racism
What are ways that we can promote racial unity today?
List 5 ways that we can stop racism or be kind to people. Give an example for each! Don't
forget to paste this one on your poster board! The following websites can help you:


How You Can Help - This website gives ways that you can help stop racism.
How To Stop Racist Abuse - This website gives ways to stop racism if it is
happening to you.
WebQuest Completion Check List
Are you sure you're done? Use this check list to make sure you have completed everything!
I have filled out a Character Map.
I have written a paragraph with 3 details and explanations from my Character Map.
I have played the "Sorting People" game and printed it out.
I have written 1 detail and an explanation about how Maniac feels about skin color.
I have made a drawing that shows how Maniac experienced racism.
I have listed 5 ways that racism can be stopped, and I gave 5 examples.
I have pasted all of the following on a poster board:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Character Map
"About Me" paragraph
"Sorting People" results
The index card explaining how Maniac feels about skin color
The drawing about racism
A list of 5 ways to stop racism
EVALUATION
Beginning
Developing
(4 pt)
1-2 bubbles are
filled. Some
information is
inaccurate.
(6 pts)
4-5 bubbles are
filled. Some
information is
inaccurate.
(8 pts)
All bubbles are
filled and
information is
accurate.
About Me
Paragraph
1-2 details are
given. There are
no explanations.
No ideas are used
from the Character
Map.
At least 2 details
are given. The
explanation does
not support the
detail. 1 or less
ideas are used
from the Character
Map.
All details are
given with
supporting
explanations. All of
the ideas are used
from the Character
Map.
How Maniac Feels
About Skin Color
The detail is not
accurate with the
book. There is no
explanation.
The detail is not
accurate with the
book, but there is
an explanation that
tries to support it.
(Or there is an
accurate detail but
no explanation.)
The detail is
accurate with the
book and has a
supporting
explanation.
Racism Drawing
The drawing does
not represent
racism. The
drawing does not
relate to any
events from the
book. There is no
indication of the
type of racism it is.
Less than 3 ideas
are listed. There
are no examples.
The drawing
represents racism
but does not relate
to any events from
the book. The type
of racism is
indicated.
The drawing
depicts racism in
an event from the
book. The type of
racism is indicated
and relates to the
picture.
3- 4 ideas are
listed. There are at
least 2 examples.
The examples
correlate with the
ideas.
5-6 of the
components are
included. The
components are
scattered all over
the poster board.
All ideas are listed
with examples that
correlate with the
idea.
Character Map
How to Stop
Racism List
Poster Board
Less than 4
components are
included. The
components are
scattered all over
the poster board.
Accomplished
Distinguished
All components are
included. There is
a title. The
components are
neatly pasted on
the poster board.
(10 pts)
All bubbles are
filled. The
information is
accurate and
detailed. Additional
lines are added to
the concept map.
All details are
given with
supporting
explanations. All
ideas are used
from the Character
Map. It is written in
1st person and
geared towards an
audience.
The detail is
accurate with the
book and has a
supporting
explanation. It is
written in 1st
person. There is
reference made to
the “Sorting
People” activity.
N/A
All ideas are listed
with examples that
correlate with the
idea. The list can
apply to events
from the book.
N/A
Total Points ______/56
Congratulations! You're all done!
I hope you've enjoyed reading Maniac Magee. I also hope you had fun
with this WebQuest!
Now you will present your poster boards to the class. Remember that
you are presenting as if you are Maniac Magee.
In this WebQuest, we have learned....
how to use a Concept Map,
what "race" and "racism" is,
how to write details with explanations,
how to explain an event through an illustration,
how to research the Internet,
and how to be nice to others!