Name:
Date:
Period:
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Introduction Webquest 
Due: _______________________________
As an introduction to the life and times of the character Tom Sawyer, you will
complete this webquest and presentation activity to explore different aspects of life
in Missouri in the 1800s. You will research, prepare, and present your topic(s) to
inform your classmates of the ways life was different in the 1800s compared to
today AND how those differences would have affected people living in those times.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Part 1: Partner Research

You will work with a partner in class to research one to two topics from the
list below: HIGHLIGHT YOUR ASSIGNED TOPIC(S)
o Slavery
o Leisure Activities
o Education
o Medicine
o Religion
o Work and Home Life
o Superstition
o Industrial Revolution/Technology

Use the provided links to research your topic. (See end of directions for links.)

Use the paper provided to take notes on your topic(s).
o You are required to have TWO websites per topic.
o Fill up each box with notes about the differences and affects.
o Write the full URL carefully to show the specific site you got the info from.
o If you quote a website, put the word-for-word quotation in QUOTATION
MARKS; otherwise, you must PARAPHRASE by putting the information
in your own words.
**NOTE: COPYING WITHOUT QUOTING IS PLAGIARISM! (VERY BAD!)**
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Part 2: Prepare Information

Review your completed notes.

Highlight your notes with the FIVE most important differences about your topic
that you want to include in your presentation.

Create a PowerPoint presentation to use to summarize your research for
your classmates.

Include the following:
o Slide 1: Title “The Life and Times of Tom Sawyer”, Names, Date, Period
o Slide 2: Topic 1 title and picture
o Slide 3: Title “Differences” Five major differences about then to now (use notes)
o Slide 4: Title “Affects” Your conclusions about how these differences
would have affected the attitudes and actions of people living in the 1800s
o Slide 5: Title “Prediction” Explain why you think this topic will be
important to the novel.
o Slides 6-9: repeat for second topic
o Final Slide: “Thanks for Listening!” with a final picture
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Part 3: Present your Research

You and your partner need to equally present the information. Decide how to
evenly split the info so you both talk during the presentation.

During the presentation, your classmates will be taking notes on the
differences and affects of your topic on the “TOM SAWYER PRESENTATION
ORGANIZER”. Be ready to repeat or slow down so they can ask questions or
copy notes.
RUBRIC:
________ / 25 points total
1) Research: You will turn in your completed notes page with URLs and highlighted notes.
2
4
6
8
10
2) PowerPoint: Follow all directions and have all required slides as directed.
2
4
6
8
10
3) Presentation: Presentation elements such as eye contact, voice, speed, etc
1
2
3
4
5
THE RESEARCH/RESOURCES – Available on my website for easy access! 
Work/Home Life
Housework in late 19th century America
Work in the Late 19th Century
Women's Housework in the 1800's
Slavery
The African American Mosaic
Slavery in Missouri
Mark Twain's Anti-Slavery Views
Industrial Revolution/Technology
The Mighty Mississippi
American Cultural History - (Science and Technology section only!)
Iron Horse - The Impact of Railroads
Superstition (look for cats, warts, toothache, death)
Superstitions
Folklore
Old Wives' Tales
Religion
Holy America, Phoebe!
Religion and Culture in Mark Twain's Mississippi
Education
Education - 1830's
Education - 1840's
American Education Timeline
Leisure Activities
Pastimes - 1820's (Pastime section only!)
Pastimes - 1830's (Pastime section only!)
Pastimes - 1840's (Pastime section only!)
Medicine
1830's Medicine (Science and Technology section only!)
Medical Schools of the 1800's
Medicinal Plants
History of Medicine 1800 - 1850
RESEARCH NOTES PAGE 1
RESEARCH DATE:
TOPIC:
How was life different in the 1800s compared
to today?
Full URL:
Full URL:
How would these differences AFFECT the attitudes
and actions of people living in the 1800s?
RESEARCH NOTES PAGE 2
RESEARCH DATE:
TOPIC:
How was life different in the 1800s compared
to today?
Full URL:
Full URL:
How would these differences AFFECT the attitudes
and actions of people living in the 1800s?
Tom Sawyer Presentation Organizer
How was life different in the 1800s
compared to today?
How would these differences AFFECT the
attitudes and actions of people living in the 1800s?
TOPIC 1: SLAVERY
NAMES OF PRESENTERS:
TOPIC 2: EDUCATION
NAMES OF PRESENTERS:
Tom Sawyer Presentation Organizer
How was life different in the 1800s
compared to today?
How would these differences AFFECT the
attitudes and actions of people living in the 1800s?
TOPIC 3: RELIGION
NAMES OF PRESENTERS:
TOPIC 4: SUPERSTITION
NAMES OF PRESENTERS:
Tom Sawyer Presentation Organizer
How was life different in the 1800s
compared to today?
How would these differences AFFECT the
attitudes and actions of people living in the 1800s?
TOPIC 5: LESIURE ACTIVITIES
NAMES OF PRESENTERS:
TOPIC 6: MEDICINE
NAMES OF PRESENTERS:
Tom Sawyer Presentation Organizer
How was life different in the 1800s
compared to today?
How would these differences AFFECT the
attitudes and actions of people living in the 1800s?
TOPIC 7: WORK AND HOME LIFE
NAMES OF PRESENTERS:
TOPIC 8: INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION/TECHNOLOGY
NAMES OF PRESENTERS: