The document summarizes a webquest for high school seniors about Don DeLillo's novel Libra. Students will read Libra and complete tasks to understand the blending of fact and fiction regarding the assassination of JFK. They will create a timeline of events in Oswald's life, define what it means to be a Libran, and study theories around Oswald's involvement and role as presented in the novel. The goal is for students to think critically about Oswald and draw their own conclusions.

1. Oswald and Don Delillo’s Libra Student Page Title Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Credits [ Teacher Page ] A WebQuest for the High School Seniors, English Luke Schnickel Photos by verseguru and Hometown invasion tour

2. Introduction: The Sign of a Killer Student Page Title Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Credits [ Teacher Page ] Photo by Gianni D. On November 22, 1963, John F. Kennedy was shot multiple times in 6.9 seconds, killing him. Three days later, Lee Harvey Oswald, the prime suspect of the killing, was shot and killed by Jack Ruby. Oswald claimed he was a patsy. Ruby claimed he was a patsy. Both claimed they were placed into the folds of history. In 1988, Don Delillo melded fact and fiction to create and re-create the event through a postmodern viewpoint. Delillo shows Oswald as in the form of his astrological sign, a split and doubling person. Who is Oswald? Is he an agent of history? Your job, after completing Libra, is to look at Postmodernism, Naturalism, and how Delillo uses fact and faction. Identify the fact and fiction in Libra, and the purpose of the use of fiction. Define the idea of a Libran and why Don Dellilo titled the book Libra. Ask critical questions on Oswald and his involvement in the historical and fictional perspectives, as well as his role in the conspiracy theories presented by Delillo. Then, using the theories as well as Delillo’s novel to decide what you think about Lee Harvey Oswald.

3. Student Page Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Credits [ Teacher Page ] Title From the time of Oswald’s birth to the culmination of events leading to his death. It is your job to take on the role of Nicolas Branch and become an investigator of the assassination through fact, fiction, and theory. You will front the research by: -locating fact and fiction in Libra; - studying naturalism and postmodernism; - identifying character, plots, and events ; - creating a timeline of events (factual and fictional) ; -defining a Libran -discovering your own astrological sign and its purpose. Extra Credit: Create a google map of Oswald’s locations leading to the assassination of JFK. Using the internet and your copy of Don Delillo’s Libra, trace the life of Oswald, creating a Historian’s guide to the events. Photo by Max Sparrber

4. The Process Student Page Title Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Credits [ Teacher Page ] Sempernovus Have the students read Libra, and discuss toughly. Have the students do a comprehensive search into the material Have the students start identifying and recording characters and plots in Libra on your timeline. Continue your timeline by recording an overlapping line of the actual events of Oswald’s life . Continue your webquest by defining Libra in relation to Lee Harvey Oswald. Learn more about Librans and the split sign theory. Place this info in your historical guide. Now it is time to study the theories of naturalism and postmodernism applied by Don Delillo in Libra and place them in your historical guide. How do they relate to Oswald? Is he an agent of history? Start thinking critically about Oswald and how his astrological sign foreshadowed the events in Libra. Note your thoughts in your historical guide. Now using your knowledge of the events, complete your historic guide. Include information on Naturalism, postmodernism, Oswald, Librans, and the use of fiction in Libra

5. Evaluation Example: Student Page Title Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Credits [ Teacher Page ] Beginning 1 Developing 2 Accomplished 3 Exemplary 4 Score Historical Diary (Historical Guide) Zero understanding or placement of Lee Harvey Oswald. Barely any data concerning the events of November 23. Description of Oswald and Theories, but no understanding. List of events, but not complete. Includes information on Librans. Understanding of events as well as complete descriptions. Original ideas and conclusions resulting from Don Delillo, Oswald’s life, astrological signs, and theories. Timeline Only a single timeline of events, with events missing or placed incorrectly. Two timelines including events, but the timelines do not relate to each other or to the novel. At least two timelines that include theories of events, actual events, and fictional events. Multiple timelines overlapping including theories, actual events, fictional events, and material from outside sources. Conclusion No ideas or original thoughts on Lee Harvey Oswald or the JFK assassination. Starts to show thought processes and has a basic understanding and conclusion on either the events or Oswald. Starts to show critical thinking and original ideas from the sources provided. Shows critical thinking on multiple levels, which leads to personal descriptions of Oswald and the events, and draws an original conclusion

6. Conclusion Student Page Title Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Credits [ Teacher Page ] Who was Oswald? Now that you have become a historian and an expert on Oswald and the JFK assassination, do you think he is an agent of history? Looking at postmodernism and naturalism, as well as the use of fiction by Don Delillo , what is your conclusion as a contemporary historian on Lee Harvey Oswald? Let your compiled guide lead you to your conclusion. E-strategyblog.com

7. Credits & References Student Page Title Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Credits [ Teacher Page ] A helpful reading guide http://us.penguingroup.com/static/rguides/us/libra.html Comprehensive guide to historical narrative, astrological signs, Oswald, and authorial goals in Libra http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0403/is_1_43/ai_56750471 Definition of a Libran http://www.astrology-online.com/libra.htm The split signs of a Libran http://www.astrology-online.com/libra.htm List of Oswalds life events and conspiracy theories http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/oswald.htm Warren Commission http://www.archives.gov/research/jfk/warren-commission-report/ JFK assassination report and records http://history-matters.com/archive/jfk/contents.htm Lee Harvey assassination http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xU7Lhd7Wwo Who was Lee Harvey? http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/oswald/ A special thanks to The WebQuest Page

8. [ Student Page ] Title Introduction Learners Standards Process and T.S. Resources Credits Teacher Page Luke schnickel [email_address] Based on a template from The WebQuest Page Evaluation Conclusion Photos by verseguru and Hometown invasion tour Oswald and Don Delillo’s Libra A WebQuest for the High School Seniors, English

9. Introduction (Teacher) [ Student Page ] Title Introduction Learners Standards Process and T.S. Resources Credits Teacher Page This webquest is a tool to bring students in contact with Don Delillo, Lee Harvey Oswald, and a historical event, while gaining an understanding of literature and theories. The student will learn how to Identify fact and fiction in relation to Libra, and the purpose of the use of fiction, define the idea of a Libran and why Don Dellilo titled the book Libra, and ask critical questions on Oswald and his involvement in the historical and fictional perspectives, as well as his role in the conspiracy theories presented by Delillo. During the webquest, the students are asked to complete the following: -locate fact and fiction in Libra; - study naturalism and postmodernism; - identify character, plots, and events ; - create a timeline of events (factual and fictional) ; -define a Libran -discover their own astrological sign and its purpose. This lesson is just as much about Delillo as it is about Oswlad. However, try to focus the lesson on the Oswald that Delillo created. Evaluation Conclusion rWhiteis37

10. Learners (Teacher) [ Student Page ] Title Introduction Learners Standards Process and T.S. Resources Credits Teacher Page The grade level designated for the webquest is upper level high school with an English focus. The activities are designed to help students understand and view literature through new perspectives. Creative writing and AP students should be the targeted audience. Evaluation Conclusion Kimberlyfaye Obornb

11. Curriculum Standards (Teacher) [ Student Page ] Title Introduction Learners Standards Process Resources Credits Teacher Page Evaluation Conclusion Standard 1:Students read and understand a variety of materials. Standard 1.1 Students will “use comprehension skills such as previewing, predicting, inferring, comparing and contrasting, re-reading and self-monitoring, summarizing, identifying the author's purpose, determining the main idea, and applying knowledge of foreshadowing, metaphor, simile, symbolism, and other figures of speech.” This assignment is about critical thinking, understanding, and the search into literature.

12. The Process (and Teacher Script) [ Student Page ] Title Introduction Learners Standards Process Resources Credits Teacher Page Evaluation Conclusion The webquest will take a couple of class periods and should be prepared ahead of time. The book needs to be read beforehand and discussed thoroughly, This could be a semester read, but I think a couple of months should suffice. The webquest could be used as a semester long initiative, or just an activity after the reading. The historical diary (also an object in the book), would be a good way to access the students’ understanding. Remember, the objective is to get students to think critically. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As a contemporary historian of the modern historical narrative, you are about to enter the eyes of a killer, a writer, and a theorist. But before you begin your account, you must have background knowledge and an understanding of the events you just read about in Libra . Start your webquest by a comprehensive search into the material you just read. Start identifying and recording characters and plots in Libra on your timeline. Continue your timeline by recording an overlapping line of the actual events of Oswald’s life . Continue your webquest by defining Libra in relation to Lee Harvey Oswald. Learn more about Librans and the split sign theory. Place this info in your historical guide. Now it is time to study the theories of naturalism and postmodernism applied by Don Delillo in Libra and place them in your historical guide. How do they relate to Oswald? Is he an agent of history? Start thinking critically about Oswald and how his astrological sign foreshadowed the events in Libra. Note your thoughts in your historical guide. Now using your knowledge of the events, complete your historic guide. Include information on Naturalism, postmodernism, Oswald, Librans, and the use of fiction in Libra

14. Evaluation (Teacher) [ Student Page ] Title Introduction Learners Standards Process Resources Credits Teacher Page The lesson can be deemed successful if the students show an understanding of the literature presented, with an idea of the author’s purpose. This could be shown through the work, or discussion. The standards below guide the students toward the expected goals. Evaluation Conclusion Beginning 1 Developing 2 Accomplished 3 Exemplary 4 Score Historical Diary (Historical Guide) Zero understanding or placement of Lee Harvey Oswald. Barely any data concerning the events of November 23. Description of Oswald and Theories, but no understanding. List of events, but not complete. Includes information on Librans. Understanding of events as well as complete descriptions. Original ideas and conclusions resulting from Don Delillo, Oswald’s life, astrological signs, and theories. Timeline Only a single timeline of events, with events missing or placed incorrectly. Two timelines including events, but the timelines do not relate to each other or to the novel. At least two timelines that include theories of events, actual events, and fictional events. Multiple timelines overlapping including theories, actual events, fictional events, and material from outside sources. Conclusion No ideas or original thoughts on Lee Harvey Oswald or the JFK assassination. Starts to show thought processes and has a basic understanding and conclusion on either the events or Oswald. Starts to show critical thinking and original ideas from the sources provided. Shows critical thinking on multiple levels, which leads to personal descriptions of Oswald and the events, and draws an original conclusion

15. Conclusion (Teacher) [ Student Page ] Title Introduction Learners Standards Process Resources Credits Teacher Page Don DeLillo is the beginning of the new literary cannon, a postmodern writer writing his way into the classics. It is time to acquaint the students with the new word, the new world. Libra is relevant, well written, and offers an account of new theories. The novel, and the depth presented by the coordinating theories will help students with the NCTE criteria. Evaluation Conclusion Spread the Disease

16. Credits & References (Teacher) [ Student Page ] Title Introduction Learners Standards Process and T.S. Resources Credits Teacher Page A helpful reading guide http://us.penguingroup.com/static/rguides/us/libra.html Comprehensive guide to historical narrative, astrological signs, Oswald, and authorial goals in Libra http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0403/is_1_43/ai_56750471 Definition of a Libran http://www.astrology-online.com/libra.htm The split signs of a Libran http://www.astrology-online.com/libra.htm List of Oswalds life events and conspiracy theories http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/oswald.htm Warren Commission http://www.archives.gov/research/jfk/warren-commission-report/ JFK assassination report and records http://history-matters.com/archive/jfk/contents.htm Lee Harvey assassination http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xU7Lhd7Wwo Who was Lee Harvey? http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/oswald/ A special thanks to The WebQuest Page Libra by Don Delillo Evaluation Conclusion