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American Cultures

WebQuest

“The Assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy”

The truth of the assassination of President Kennedy has haunted Americans for years. The information on the assassination of the President that the Warren Commission had found and published in the Warren Report has caused many people to question its validity and the accuracy of the commission’s findings. Your group’s job is to put to rest the many questions concerning the assassination such as: “who did it;” did “Oswald act alone;” “was it a conspiracy;” “was there a cover up;” etc. In order to make your final analysis valid, your group must use scholarly resources throughout your investigation. The information must be accurate. If your group fails to “find the truth,” the “mystery” of the Kennedy Assassination will be lost forever.

The Scene of the Crime
"Dealey Plaza"

The Task

Your group is responsible for solving the “Crime of the Century.” As did the Warren Commission, you will research the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. You will record all of your findings gathered from: Internet Websites; Books; Magazines; Video Tapes; Movies; etc. You will draw accurate conclusions from the sources that you use. Make sure you are fair and objective in your investigation. An in-depth analysis of each conclusion should be clearly labeled and it should lead to your groups final verdict as to who shot J.F.K.. Your final conclusion must be backed with facts, examples, demonstrations, etc. in order to convince the jury of your decree. The end result of your findings will be played out in a mock trial.

"The Head Shot"

The Process

1. Each group will be divided into a team of five people. Divide your team into the following and be sure to give your group a name (Warren Commission): 1.Researcher- in charge of gathering information relating to the case.
2. Recorder- in charge of recording all gathered information. A folder/binder should be used to hold all researched material.
3. Presenter- in charge of organizing the presentation of the case to the jury.
4. Organizer- in charge of maintaining organization of the group. (material, distribution of assignments)
5. -Researcher #2-in charge of gathering information relating to the case.

2. Each group is responsible for creating an overview of their findings. The overview of your report must be word processed and contain the basic findings of your commission. You may publish it as a booklet. Each point made should be numbered and should clearly show the relevance to the verdict. (A copy must be handed in to the instructor) You may use graphics to help support your verdict.

Example:

1.Kennedy was shot by a lone assassin from behind and above, which we will prove with the following information/demonstration: then you may proceed to show proof to back your theory.

2. Oswald acted alone and the "magic bullet" theory is really not magical at all.
Science proves how one bullet can do so much damage and remain pristine: then you may proceed to show proof to back your theory.

3. A Chart/Map displaying the scene of the crime must be created. This should be large enough so that the entire jury (class) could clearly view. You will unfurl your chart/map as to show the jury what "actually" happened on that fateful day in November.

4. Finally, in a formal courtroom setting, the entire group will convince the jury (the class) that their theory of the J.F.K. assassination is accurate by providing all their evidence to support their verdict.

"The Assassin"
Lee Harvey Oswald

Web Sources

Be sure to link to the following site:
FINDINGS OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS IN THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY IN DALLAS, TEX., NOVEMBER 22, 1963

These links may be helpful in conducting your research:

http://ourworld-top.cs.com/mikegriffith1/id35.htm
http://www.concentric.net/~gproctor/jfk.html
http://parascope.com/articles/1196/nazis.htm
http://www.jfk-info.com/
http://home.earthlink.net/~sixthfloor/
http://www.jfkmurder.com/
http://www.jfklancer.com/Education.html
http://www.history-matters.com/
http://www.jfkassassination.com/
http://www.archives.gov/research_room/jfk/index.html
http://www.jfk.org/

Click the following link to view the Zapruder flim:
http://www.k12.nf.ca/gc/SocialStudies/whist3201/World%20History/MMartin/ZapruderFilm/zapruderfilm.htm

"Laid to rest"

Evaluation

Evaluation Table

Name __________________________________

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score
Contribute
Research & Gather Information	Does not collect any information that relates to the topic.	Collects very little information--some relates to the topic.	Collects some basic information--most relates to the topic.	Collects a great deal of information--all relates to the topic.
Share Information	Does not relay any information to teammates.	Relays very little information--some relates to the topic.	Relays some basic information--most relates to the topic.	Relays a great deal of information--all relates to the topic.
Be Punctual	Does not hand in any assignments.	Hands in most assignments late.	Hands in most assignments on time.	Hands in all assignments on time.
Take Responsibility
Fulfill Team Role's Duties	Does not perform any duties of assigned team role.	Performs very little duties.	Performs nearly all duties.	Performs all duties of assigned team role.
Participate in the trial	Does not speak during the trial.	Either gives too little information or information which is irrelevant to topic.	Offers some information--most is relevant.	Offers a fair amount of important information--all is relevant.
Share Equally	Always relies on others to do the work.	Rarely does the assigned work--often needs reminding.	Usually does the assigned work--rarely needs reminding.	Always does the assigned work without having to be reminded.
Value Others' Viewpoints
Listen to Other Teammates	Is always talking--never allows anyone else to speak.	Usually doing most of the talking--rarely allows others to speak.	Listens, but sometimes talks too much.	Listens and speaks a fair amount.
Cooperate with Teammates	Usually argues with teammates.	Sometimes argues.	Rarely argues.	Never argues with teammates.
Make Fair Decisions	Usually wants to have things their way.	Often sides with friends instead of considering all views.	Usually considers all views.	Always helps team to reach a fair decision.

				Total

"The Eternal Flame"

Conclusion:

Congratulations! You have successfully solved the "Crime of the Century."

The truth of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy no longer haunts Americans. You have solved one of the most scrutinized murders in the history of the world. Thanks to your efforts, we can now put to rest the question of, "Who Shot J.F.K.?"

The completion of this WebQuest will find students familiar with one of the most scrutinized and "unsolved" murders in the history of the world. Student's, by conducting research, will be able to form their own educated opinion as to what happened in Dallas on the 22nd of November, 1963. The murder of our President has been studied for decades. Now, students need not stand idle to discussions about the assassination, wherever they may be: in a high school social studies class, in a college history class, in a forensic science class, or in a conversation with friends or colleagues. Students can now be heard. Now, their theory on the assassination will be respected and, who knows, maybe will even solve the crime.

Revised: Friday, April 01, 2005

Page updated: 04/01/2005 11:30:08 AM -0500

URL: http://www2.mcsdk12.org/spc16/