Web Quest Lesson Plan

Introduction
Students have explored the topic of Realism during the last half of the nineteenth century. In this lesson, they will explore paintings and a sample of literature from the period. After reading through two Web sites that show examples of art and literature, students will evaluate the style of the paintings and the literature and explain why these pieces are considered to be examples of American Realism.

Lesson Description
Students will read about selected paintings http://www.nga.gov/collection/gallery/gg68/gg68-main1.html and about the background and character in Kate Chopin’s book The Awakening http://kclibrary.nhmccd.edu/awakening.htm, and will then evaluate the style of the paintings and the literature and explain why these pieces are considered examples of American Realism.

Instructional Objectives

1. Students will use the Internet as an information resource.
2. Students will explore paintings and a sample of literature created during the period of American Realism.
3. Students will evaluate the style of the paintings and the literature and explain why these pieces are considered to be examples of American Realism.

Student Web Activity Sample Answer
The paintings depict life very realistically in terms of subject, color, and composition. The paintings are of subjects that were a part of the everyday life of that time period. Kate Chopin’s The Awakening is written in straightforward language and deals with everyday situations of the late 1800s in the American South, and takes a realistic look at the role of women.