Gary Soto

Author Background

A WebQuest for 5th Grade Literature and Writing

Designed by
 Bryan Wilson
Rosario Castellanos School
Chicago, Illinois
 

Why would this man

 
(Gary Soto)
  write about this doll?

(Barbie - if you didn't know)
Welcome to
 the
Gary Soto Background Page

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page

Introduction

Gary Soto's story, Barbie,  is about a girl who waits several years to receive a Barbie for Christmas. What happens to the doll is a little bit of a surprise. Use this page  to learn  what's behind Gary Soto's story Barbie, and to guide you through writing a biography of the author.

Top Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Credits

Task

To better understand and discuss the story Barbie, you will write a biography of the author of the story, Gary Soto. Use links for information about Gary Soto to get your information, then write your one-page biography. Concentrate on details about Gary Soto's life that might  influence the story you will read. As you finish your biography, answer this question:

 
Why would Gary Soto write Barbie?

Introduction Top Process  Evaluation  Conclusion  Credits

Process

The steps for writing the biography include these :

  1. Gather information about Gary Soto by visiting these Internet pages.
  2. Take notes on the information to use in the biography you write.
  3. Consider these questions as you write the biography:
  • Who is Gary Soto?
  • Where is he from, and where does he live now?
  • Describe his family background, childhood, birthday.
  • How or why did Gary Soto become an author?
  • What inspires him to write?
  • What interests does he have in addition to writing?
  • Write about interesting facts or experiences Gary Soto might have had.
  • What types of books does Gary Soto write? Is there any theme that he continues to use?
  • Include any information about Gary Soto's  personality. Interviews are a good source for this.
  • If you could ask the author one question what would it be, and why?
  • and of course: Why would Gary Soto write Barbie?
  1.     Write your biography of Gary Soto using Microsoft Word on the computer where you are.
  2.     Use the school heading format, and follow writing conventions. Include a list of information sources you used at the end of your paper.
  3. To get to the online resources about Gary Soto, click here:
Biographies about Gary Soto
Biography from Gary Soto;
A Teacher Resource File
 Gary Soto:
Prepared by Sherry Strunk
Gary Soto Author Studies Homepage
 Educational Paperback Association's Biography of Gary Soto

Introduction Task  Top Evaluation  Conclusion  Credits

Evaluation

You will be evaluated for writing your biography of Gary Soto following the guidelines below:
Areas Evaluated   Points Obtained


5
4
3
2
1
You present key facts and events in the author's life.




You provide insight into the person's character — feelings, motivations, opinions, personality traits.




You include strong descriptions of events, details, and examples that reveal the author's character.




You paint a vivid portrait of the author using anecdotes and quotes.




Includes clear organizational structure.




Conventions: Punctuation, spelling, capitalization and neatness.
For every two errors, your score is lowered one point.









Total Points
Multiply by 2.86 to acquire points on a 100 scale.
Interpretation of Scores
5:         proficient: a high degree of competence
4:         capable: an above-average degree of competence
3:         satisfactory: a satisfactory degree of competence
2:         emerging: a limited degree of competence
1:         beginning: No key elements are adequately developed.

Introduction Task  Process Top Conclusion Credits

Conclusion

Since you have completed this project, you have researched and written a biography of Gary Soto. You have also attempted to use your research to predict why Gary Soto would write a story called Barbie.  Consider your response as you read Barbie, and try to decide if you stand by it or would consider changing it based on reading and discussing the story. As you finalize your opinion, your class will create a web site for other students in Castellanos School to view and consider.

Introduction Task  Process  Evaluation  Top Credits 

Credits & References

Questions from "Consider these questions" includes questions from Author's Hot Seat (http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/marston/authorshotseat/), a webquest by Deanne Currigan.

Biography and Literary Analysis, a Gary Soto biography webquest (written for 9th grade)
can be found at http://parks.sandi.net/Pages/Student_Teacher/WebQuests/Joe,%20Nick,%20and%20Leslie/Document1.html.
The webquest is designed by Joe Hererra, Leslie Hardiman, and Nick Kounalis.

Another similar page for students to write author biographies,
Who writes the books that make the whole world read?
A Reading for Information Author Study for 6th grade is found at
 http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/montgomery/author_study/
Images
Banner image with the question is from
http://www.animationonline.com/
Gary Soto's picture is from
http://www.poetryflash.org/
The cute little pictures on the task boxes are from

http://www.kidsdomain.com/
Background texture obtained from
Absolute Background Textures Archive
http://www.grsites.com/textures/

Barbie is a story written by Gary Soto
published in Baseball in April and Other Stories
New York: Harcourt Brace  & Company, 1990.
Barbie is included in
Junior Great Series 5; Second Semester Anthology
Chicago: Great Books Foundation, 1992.

Last updated on July 24, 2003. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page

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