Harry Potter interactive webquest based on critical thinking, mock journalism, and research based questions. This is the second part to a 2 series webquest based on the fictional student organization from Hogwarts (Hogwarts News Network.) This was created for CI350 Instructional Technology.

1. Welcome
Welcome Title: HNN (Hogwarts News Network Second Edition)
Description: In this webquest, students will continue their role from the Hogwarts News Network
(http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=264603). Within this second webquest in the series, students will
be creating their second article for the fictional student ran organization located in the Hogwarts
campuses. The purpose of this webquest is to explore character (both protagonist and antagonist),
compare and contrast good vs. evil, use graphic organizers to help piece together information, and do
independent research to help build upon vocabulary and background knowledge.
Grade Level: 3-5
Curriculum: English / Language Arts
Keywords: harry potter article newsletter newspaper columnist
Author: Matthew Jones

2. Introduction
Addressed to: HNN Returning Contributor
Concerning: Welcome!
Greetings!
I just wanted to let you know that the staff here at Hogwarts News Network are incredibly pleased with
your work on the Quidditch article! Alas, my own article wasn’t interesting enough so you technically
made a second edition of our newspaper possible. I don’t understand why people liked your article over
my own masterpiece – the history of worms and toads – but I won’t question it…..
Anyways, I’m rambling again! I wanted to let you know the wonderful news! Your piece was so well
received that we NEED your help on what’s likely to be our biggest article yet. That’ s right, you’re being
promoted to the HARRY POTTER DEPARTMENT! You’ll get to learn about a legend and even possibly
interview the boy who lived (wishful thinking).
Regardless, you should have fun with your next assignment.
Professor Neighhhhhhbert
Professor of Wizard Affairs
Hogwarts School

3. Task
Addressed to: HNN Returning Writer
Concerning: Second Piece
Howdy Star Writer!
We didn’t want to keep you waiting on those details for your next assignment so we’ve went ahead and
uploaded them. As with last time, you have 5 days otherwise Filch is shutting us down!
Assignment Details:
You will write an article addressing: a note from the writer letting the reader know what they can expect
too know after reading this article, the definition of protagoni sts and antagonists, a comparison of good
vs. evil, and an overview of the main group of people associated with the battle of Hogwarts. This
article will also answer the subjective question of whether or not the writer agrees with Dumbledore’s
actions.
Sadly, our template system is STILL down so you’ll have to once again fill out the information packet.
You’ll also need to make your article shine with a flare of creativity by adding color, a picture or two, or
some form of page layout to spruce up your fi nal product! Don’t forget to include your name so the
readers know who wrote the awesome article.
Thanks!
Professor Neighhhhhhhbert
Professor of Wizard Affairs
Hogwarts School

4. Process
Addressed to: HNN Returning Writer
Concerning: Second Assignment Information
Hey again you wonderful writer you!
I just wanted to leave you with some information that may help you complete your task as well as the
information worksheet I mentioned in the task list.
Phase 1)
First off, you need to note down what’s being asked. For this article, you are going to create a letter to
the reader outlining what to expect in this article, definitions of Protagonists/Antagonists, a comparison
of good vs. evil, an overview of main group of people associated with the Battle of Hogwarts, and the
subjective question of whether or not Dumbledore’s actions were correct.
Before starting on this article, you need to fill out the following sheet using attached weblinks to find the
answers to the questions. Copy and paste the following bit into a word document, title the word
document “Pre-Article Information,” and save the document to your desktop for easy referencing:
1) Note to Editor
a. Explain what the reader can expect to gain from this article
2) Background Information
a. Definition of Protagonists
b. Definition of Antagonists
c. Overview of main group of people associated with the Battle of Hogwarts
i. Protagonists
ii. Antagonists
3) Good vs. Evil
a. Do a bit of research and tell how the protagonists actions were good
b. Same as above but tell why the antagonists are evil
c. Compare the two
4) Dumbledore’s Actions
a. What are some of Dumbledore’s actions during the Battle of Hogwarts that can be seen
as questionable
i. Filler
ii. Filler
iii. Filler
Phase 2

5. After you complete phase 1, you need to begin thinking about how you want to display your article. You
can play around in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher, or Microsoft Powerpoint to find a way you
want your article to look. Remember, add some creativity to it so readers will enjoy reading it!
Phase 3)
- Once you have decided on a page layout/article formatting, you need to begin creating the
article! Take the information from the worksheet we filled in and put your findings together in a
letter or article format. Make sure you finish off the article with your argument on whether or
not Dumbledore’s actions were appropriate or not.
- After you do this, make sure to proofread forany mistakes! Once you have finishedyour article
and it looks how you will want it to look in the paper, click(file -> save as -> desktop -> name it
“YOURNAMEHERE HNN Article”-> Save/Submit).
- When you are ready to submit for publication, log into your school e-mail and create a new e-mail.
In the subject line, title it “YOURNAMEHEREHNN Article” and in the body text, tell me your
name, your least favorite part of this assignment, and your favorite part of this assignment. Click
upload, find your article on the desktop, and upload it. Click send and you are finished!
- At this point, await further instructions from the managing editor!
Links for Research:
- http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/features/essays/issue27/it-is-our-choices-harry-that-show-what-
we-truly-are-far-more-than-our-abilities/ - An article on Dumbledore
- http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Albus_Dumbledore - Another article on Dumbledore
- http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_Harry_Potter_cast_members - Harry Potter Cast
- https://www.google.com/search?q=Definition+of+antoagonists&ie=utf -8&oe=utf-
8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb – Definition of Antagonist
- https://www.google.com/search?q=Definition+of+antoagonists&ie=utf -8&oe=utf-
8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb#rls=org.mozilla:en-
US:official&channel=fflb&q=Definition+of+Protagonist – Definition of Protagonist

6. Evaluation
Addressed to: HNN Returning Writer
Concerning: Grade
Greetings again!
First off, I want to say best of luck in finishing the second assignment. I also want to let you
know that this assignment will be graded based on a set criteria which will be explained in the
rubric below. Because we value the success and improvement of each and every one of our
employees, these grades are used to help identify what needs worked on!
Grading will take place during the entire assignment as each aspect of the task is just as
important as the other parts!
The scores are as follows:
A – 90-100
B – 80-89
C – 70-79
D – 60-69
F – 0-59
Creativity, Spelling and Grammar: 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 0
Following Directions: 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 0
Information Accuracy: 40 | 30 | 20 | 10 | 0
Argument Presented and Defended: 20 | 15 |10 | 5 | 0
Your final score will be a cumulative total of each of the 5 criteria.

7. Evaluation! Good! Not Bad! Needs Work! Score
Creativity,
Spelling and
Grammar
Good
creativity,
excellent
spelling, and
impeccable
grammar
Good
Creativity,
Okay Spelling,
and only a few
grammar
mistakes
Decent
creativity, lots
of spelling
mistakes, and
several
grammar
mistakes
No creativity,
Majority of
paper is
misspelled,
and grammar
is non-existent
20
Following
Directions
Everything
required has
been
completed
and no parts
are missing.
Most
everything is
completed
that's required
and 1-2 minor
parts are
missing.
Lacking a few
important
details that
need
completed
with 3-5 parts
missing.
Completely off
target.
Majority of
items are
missing. Needs
either started
or re
completed.
20
Information
Accuracy
Facts are
100% correct
an obtained
from given
sources.
Facts are
mostly correct
and obtained
form the given
sources.
Facts are only
about halfway
correct and
not all
information
was obtained
through given
links.
No facts are
correct and
links given
were
disregarded.
40
Argument
Presented and
Defended
An argument
was presented
that followed
the given
prompt.
Student made
excellent
attempts to
defend their
stance.
An argument
was presented
that for the
most part
followed the
prompt.
Student
defended
stance
partially.
An argument
not quite on
target with the
given prompt
was given.
Supporting
details were
opinions for
the most part
with no factual
background.
An argument
completely
unrelated to
the prompt
was given with
little to no
backing
details.
20

8. Conclusion
Addressed to: HNN Returning Writer
Concerning: Thanks!
Hey again!
As we wrap up the development for our second issue, management at HNN would like to thank you for
your help with making sure our readers stay entertained and informed. However, all good things must
come to an end. For now, article number 2 is about to come to an end. Perhaps next article we can
write about snails and their sliding to victory?! NO?! Okay…
Anyways, if you’d like to do some more research on Harry Potter characters, Dumbledore, or the
struggle between good versus evil, check out some of the websites included at the end of this message.
OHH! Before I stop typing (to your relief, my carpal tunnel’s relief, and the centaur’s sharing the
teacher’s lounge relief), make sure to send us an OWL letting us know how you liked this writing
assignment so we know what to match you with in the future! If you don’t own an owl, raise your hand
and tell your teacher, works just the same!
Professor Neighhhhhhhhbert
Professor of Wizard Affairs
Hogwarts School
Links:
Pottermore – an interactive website created by J.K. Rowling to expand on the 7 books written by her.
- https://www.pottermore.com/en-us/
Buy the Books – IF you want to read the books in depth, visit the link to Barne’s and Noble’s website.
- http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/harry-potter-paperback-boxed-set-books-1-7-j-k-rowling/
1108948862?ean=9780545162074

9. Teacher’s Resources Page
In this webquest, students will explore what it’s like to continue a project started earlier on. This second
edition to the first webquest requires the student to once again conduct research based on a topic and
create an article that answers all the questions. The difference between this webquest and the first in
the series is that the child has less straightforward questions to answer and more questions requiring
critical thinking. Children will create an argument and back it up with evidence from various findings. As
with the first webquest, the general topic – Harry Potter – will keep the children engaged, entertained,
and wanting more through every step.
Standards:
RLA. O. 3.1.2 – Students will identify and understand reading appropriate vocabulary words
RLA. O. 3.1.4 – Describe a purpose for reading (info, pleasure, understand a viewpoint)
RLA. O. 3.1.8 – Use literary and informational texts to summarize a series of events, compare and
contrast, draw conclusions, describe characters
RLA. O. 3.1.9 – Infer the author’s purpose: to persuade, to entertain, and to inform in literary and
informational text
RLA. S.3.2 – Students will apply writing skills and strategies to communicate effectively for different
urposes by using the writing process, applying grammatical and mechanical properties in writing, and
selecting and evaluating information for research purposes.
RLA. O. 3.2.8 – Produce appropriate grammar in written composition
RLA. O. 3.1.15 – Increase the amount of independent reading to build background knowledge, expand
vocabulary and comprehend literary and informational text
Credits:
Title age Header Image - http://wandw.wikidot.com/hogwarts
Information Links - http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page | http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.
org/features/essays/issue27/it-is-our-choices-harry-that-show-what-we-truly-are-far-more-than-
our-abilities/
State Curriculum Standards - http://wveis.k12.wv.us/Teach21/public/cso/popUp.cfm
Other:
Enjoy!