From Baseball to Rock And Roll

A WebQuest for 5th Grade Social Studies

By Ann B. Canning, Ed.D.© 2006

Last updated March 21, 2006

#1 Introduction

Americans have always been fiercely proud of their independence since they first revolted against the oppression of British taxation without representation in 1776. However, even in those early decades there was a close tie through language and customs between the young nation represented in the title cartoon by Uncle Sam and the parent nation depicted by the character John Bull. Ideas and products traveled across the Atlantic ocean in both directions.  Early 19th century Americans imported and adapted British sports such as cricket and rugby. 20th century English musicians imitated and improved American Rock and Roll.

In 2006, the most important sports event on this side of the Atlantic, the NFL Super Bowl, selected a British Rock and Roll group, The Rolling Stones, for the half time entertainment. When the Super Bowl began in 1967, pro football stood for marching bands, crew cuts and cold beer. When the Rolling Stones began earlier in the same decade, they represented a different kind of music, a different sort of hairstyle and different types of refreshments.  So what does the intersection of these two entertainment superstars say about American/British popular culture? Have the Stones and therefore England moved closer to the values of the mainstream or has the mainstream moved closer to the values of the Stones?

This webquest will help you answer the question: How does interdependence change popular culture?

#3 Process

1. You will be assigned to a team of 3-4 students.
2. Each team will be given a number from 1-6.
3. Decide who will take the following roles:
   • keyboarder: the person to click on links and perform other computer tasks.
   • recorder: the person to write team answers on the worksheets
   • time keeper: the person to guide the team through the process making certain all tasks are completed on time
   • reporter: the person to present the team ideas to the class.
   • If there are only 3 students, combine the roles of time keeper and reporter.
4. Document Analysis
• Open the Image Table and find the documents that have been given to your team number.
• Click on the image links to view larger images.
• Click on the information links to find more facts.
• Use the Primary Source Analysis Worksheet to record your team thoughts.
5. Team Decision
   • Decide as a team if one or all of your artifacts should be included in the welcome exhibit for Prince William.
   • To qualify, the artifact must demonstrate a clear interdependence or connection between America and Britain.
   • Consider Prince William's favorite past times as well. (Hint: When you open the web page, click on Edit and search for "sporting" and "favorite".)
   • Your goal is to show Prince William that you have learned which American sports originated in England and which Rock And Roll stars have influenced music on both sides of the Atlantic.
6. Power Point Slides
   • Open the Power Point template and make a Power Point slide for each artifact that you want to nominate for the exhibit.
   • Insert an image of your artifact on the slide.
   • List at least two reasons why this artifact should be included in the welcome exhibit.
   • Save the Welcome.ppt file with your Team # as the name.
   • Share your Power Point slide(s) with your class.