A Natural High
An Internet WebQuest on the Use of Marijuana
among
Designed by Je’Nelle J.
INTRODUCTION
Before coming
to school you see your friends smoking a blunt in front of the bodega. Looking at your cellphone you notice that you
are 15 minutes early for 1st period.
You figure that since you’re so early you might as well take a couple of
pulls from the blunt before class. When
you finally get to 1st period your teacher notices that your eyes
are glassy and you smell like weed. She
then sends you to the Principals office where a nurse is waiting for you with a
TASK
Do you refuse to take a
urine test? Do you feel as if you have
done something wrong or committed a crime?
Do you feel that since weed comes from the earth its natural, therefore
you should be allowed to smoke it? Do
you feel that weed does not negatively effect your performance in class? Do you blame your asthma for being the reason
why you need to smoke? Do you think weed
should be legal? Why or why not? If weed was legal should you be able to smoke
it before, during or after school? Why
or why not? What would YOU do?
How would YOU react? What are YOUR
feelings about the situation?
PROCESS
By using the following steps you will state and support
your opinion on the topic based on your research and other information that you
may have gathered.
1. State your opinion. What would
you do in a situation like this? Is
Marijuana use dangerous? How does it
effect the academic performance of high school students?
2. Research the sources listed below.
Keep in mind that you are gathering information to support your opinion,
reaction or the position that you would take in this situation.
3. To help you obtain a better idea of how many high school students are
currently using marijuana before, during and after school you can create a
survey. This step is optional. Although if you decide to do a survey your
participants can be anonymous. Be creative!
4. Using the 6 step public
policy analysis worksheets as a guideline and base create a written
report. These worksheets are the first 6
resources listed below.
5. You will present your report, ideas and findings to the class by an
oral presentation.
6. You may create or purchase visual aids to help you with your
presentation.
7. You will be given 3 to 5 minutes for your oral report.
RESOURCES
Gathering evidence
of the problem worksheet
Select best
solution worksheet
The health
effects of marijuana on humans
Myths
and Facts concerning Marijuana
Long-term
effects of Marijuana
Marijuana
Arrests and Incarceration in the United States
History of
Marijuana Conviction in the United States
The
Harmful Chemicals found in Marijuana
The
Difference between Marijuana and Hemp
Physical,
Mental and Social Effects of Marijuana Use
Marijuana use
in the South Bronx
EVALUATION
You will be graded according
to the following:
Written Presentation
(60% of the total project
grade)
1. Format – Written reports should
address all 6 steps of the public
policy analyst format.
2. Style – Written reports are to
contain 3 to 5 typed pages, double-spaced and using a 12-font size. You are to
prepare a separate cover page that will include your name, class, date and
title of your report.
3. Grammar – writing should be clear,
interesting and accurate. Accuracy
includes very few to no grammatical errors.
Points will be deducted for spelling errors. Proof
read your work.
Oral Presentation
(40% of the total project
grade)
1. Organization – Presentation should be logical
and clear. It should also captivate the
interest of the audience.
2. Subject Knowledge – Student should demonstrate
full knowledge of the subject matter and beyond.
3. Support of Opinions – Student should be able to
express his or her own opinion and support that opinion with research or other
information that may have been gathered during the creation of the project.
4. Eye Contact – Student should be able to
maintain a certain amount of eye contact with the class while presenting.
New York City Department of
Education Performance Standards
1. E1c Read and comprehend informational materials.
2. E3c Prepare and deliver an individual presentation.
New York State Department of
Education, Social Studies Standards
1. Standard 5-4 – Civics, Citizenship, and Government
CONCLUSION
What would you have done in the situation described earlier? Did you discover that marijuana is not as natural as people believe it to be? Did you learn all the harmful effects of marijuana? Is smoking a blunt worth all the negative short and long-term side effects? Did you reconsider your first thought? Smoking marijuana to relieve you of stress is not a good idea. If you really need something to relieve you of your stress try a hot bubble bath and a nice cup of cocoa with whip cream and cinnamon. It always works for me!
