Teacher


 * Virtual Field Trip Lesson**


 * Title**: Virtual Field Trip for From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler


 * Objectives**: Students will
 * develop important background knowledge concern topics in the novel
 * compare and contrast the setting of the novel, From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler with where they live.
 * create virtual postcards from the characters of the novel to show understanding of the book
 * Evaluate why the author chose these settings for her novel
 * connect story events to locations
 * experience an urban environment


 * Subject and Grade Level**: 5th and 6th Grade Reading


 * Specific Websites Used:**
 * [] This is the official website for the city of Greenwich, Connecticut. This is the town that the main characters of the book live. This suburb of New York City, is one of the reason that the children run away. My intention in including this site is to show the difference in setting between this average suburb and Manhattan.
 * [] This is the site for Metropolitan Transportation Authority. It has train schedules, maps, fare information etc... This is how people in the suburbs get to the city. Rural children do not understand how this works and so it is included to give them the experience.
 * [] This is a short overview of Manhattan. This shows landmarks and streets that are iconic to New York City. This is the setting of most of the book.
 * [] This is the site for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. This is the location that the children in the book run away to. This site has both information about the museum and digital exhibits to "wander" through... just like the main characters in our novel do.
 * [] This is the site for the New York Public Library. This shows all of the branches and also an online catalog of materials. The characters in the book go to the library to do research on Michaelangelo. The library branch that the characters in the novel go to was an actual library for the city of New York.
 * [] This link takes you to an article in the New York Times that tells what happened to the Donnell Public Library. It shows that the library was actually a place, not something contrived by the author, and the controversy over closing it.
 * [] This sit shows the sculpture that used to preside over the fountain in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This is a setting in the novel that is important to the main characters' financial survival.
 * [] This site shows more views of the fountain sculpture.
 * []# This site shows the Grand Central Post Office and what has happened to this historic landmark. This is another important site in the novel and it has undergone an interesting transformation.
 * []# This is the site for a historic chain of restuarants in New York City. This site shows the history. Our main characters go here to wait and eat. In the McDonalds age, it is good for the kids to see a different kind of chain.
 * [] Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler lives in this historic town. She is another one of the main characters. The children finally figure out the mystery when they go to Farmington to talk with her. Once again, this site shows the distinct difference between New York City and the quiet town of Farmington.
 * [] This site was added to show what a Rolls Royce Limousine looks like. The student I teach have no real experience with vehicles like this and so I thought this would be a good addition.

Computer with internet access Handouts (see below) From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler novel
 * Materials and Equipment Needed**

Student will read the novel, From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. They will them proceed chronologically through the Virtual Field Trip at their own pace. They will create 3 Virtual Postcards of 3 different things they saw on the trip in any of the sites and write them like they are one of the main characters. They will complete the Setting and Reasons Chart to show understanding of the book and why the author chose each setting for the actions in her book. Study will create an essay comparing and contrasting the settings in the the novel and where they live.
 * Student Activities**

Evaluation will be based on the completion of the Virtual Field Trip, 3 Virtual Postcards, the Setting and Reasons Chart and the Story Board activity for the novel. Rubrics will be used.
 * Evaluation**


 * Extensions**

> **Comments:** This web site is both entertaining and educational.
 * Examining a Work of Art [|The Metropolitan Museum of Art] **[|URL:]**[]
 * Through a series of puzzles and games, students will learn about perspective, light, color, form, motion and proportion. [|The Metropolitan Museum of Art]**URL:** []
 * Students can visit the St. Louis Art Museum ( close to home) choose a work of art and write a mystery story about it. [|www.slam.org]


 * VFT Permission Form []
 * Virtual Postcard Handout [[file:Virtual Post Card Project.pdf]]
 * Setting and Reasons Chart [[file:Settings and Reasons.pdf]]
 * Compare Contrast Map []