Topic: Rodents in NYC

Created by: Edward Lora

P.S. 28M

Introduction:

Have you ever heard about rats in New York City that have been known to overrun restaurants after hours, crawl up sewer pipes and enter apartments through toilets? They have also attacked homeless people, and bitten infants to get food off their faces.

This rodent issue is a growing problem in New York City and is becoming an increasing problem it’s citizen and especially amongst children. These rats carry can carry many diseases including hantavirus, leptospirosis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV), Tularemia and Salmonella. Many of these diseases are extremely harmful to kids, and the foods they eat.

Task:

Your challenge is to do 2 things:

1. In groups of 3 you are to go through and complete the six steps of the PPA and create a public policy poster that can be displayed throughout the entire school. The poster will make the public aware of the dangers of rodents in the city. Include charts, pictures, drawings in your posters.

2. Write a persuasive essay to the mayor of NYC convincing him to act on this issue of rodents.

Process:

1. You will be assigned to groups of 3. Within each group you need to decide what task each student will take on, remember that all students must contribute to their group.

2. Use the texts we have collected from the library and magazine articles along with the websites in the resources section to learn about the rodent problem in New York City.

3. Each group will complete the steps of The Public Policy Analyst and complete the provided worksheets before you begin your posters and persuasive essays.

· Step 1: Define the problem

o Worksheet1: "Defining the social problem"(MSWORD)

· Step 2: Gather the Evidence

o Worksheet2: "Gathering evidence of the problem"(MSWORD)

· Step 3: Identify the Causes

o Worksheet3: "Identifying the cause of the problem"(MSWORD)

· Step 4: Evaluate a Policy

o Worksheet4: "Evaluating Existing Public Policies"(MSWORD)

· Step 5: Develop Solutions

o Worksheet5: "Developing public policy solutions"(MSWORD)

· Step 6: Select the Best Solution :

o Worksheet6: "Selecting the best public policy solution" (MSWORD)

Your poster should include information from your worksheets. Label the six steps: The Problem, Evidence, Causes, Existing Policies, Solutions, and The Best Solution.

Include a summary for each step, including why you think the last step is the best solution to the problem.

The posters need to be clear and letters big enough to be read, including correct spelling and drawings or photos.

4. Your persuasive essay has to be at least 5 paragraphs.

- Include an introduction, supporting paragraphs and a conclusion. Use your PPA steps to help you with your essay.

- Your essay has to be written to make your audience aware of your point of view. Include what you learned from your research.

- Your essay will make others aware of the problem and hopefully control the issue.

5. Use the writing process in your essay. For a checklist look at

http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/pdf/persuasion.pdf

Resources:

· http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rats_in_New_York_City

· http://observer.com/2013/08/city-fights-back-against-upper-west-side-rat-infestation/

· http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/pr2008/pr070-08.shtml

· http://content.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1866594,00.html

Evaluation: Poster

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Required Elements	The poster includes all required elements as well as additional information.	All required elements are included on the poster.	All but 1 of the required elements are included on the poster.	Several required elements were missing.
Graphics - Relevance	All graphics are related to the topic and make it easier to understand. All borrowed graphics have a source citation.	All graphics are related to the topic and most make it easier to understand. Some borrowed graphics have a source citation.	All graphics relate to the topic. One or two borrowed graphics have a source citation.	Graphics do not relate to the topic OR several borrowed graphics do not have a source citation.
Attractiveness	The poster is exceptionally attractive in terms of design, layout, and neatness.	The poster is attractive in terms of design, layout and neatness.	The poster is acceptably attractive though it may be a bit messy.	The poster is distractingly messy or very poorly designed. It is not attractive.
Grammar	There are no grammatical/mechanical mistakes on the poster.	There are 1-2 grammatical/mechanical mistakes on the poster.	There are 3-4 grammatical/mechanical mistakes on the poster.	There are more than 4 grammatical/ mechanical mistakes on the poster.
PPA Steps	Poster includes all 6 of the PPA steps and a short explanation as to why your group thought the solution in step 6 is the best solution	Poster includes all 6 of the PPA steps but may be missing the required explanation or the poster is missing 1 of the PPA steps	Poster may be missing 2 of the PPA steps or missing 1 PPA step and the required explanation of step 6	Several PPA steps were missing from the poster.

Evaluation: Persuasive Essay

CATEGORY	4 - Above Standards	3 - Meets Standards	2–Approaching Standards	1 - Below Standards
Attention Grabber	The introductory paragraph has a strong hook or attention grabber that is appropriate for the audience. This could be a strong statement, a relevant quotation, statistic, or question addressed to the reader.	The introductory paragraph has a hook or attention grabber, but it is weak, rambling or inappropriate for the audience.	The author has an interesting introductory paragraph but the connection to the topic is not clear.	The introductory paragraph is not interesting AND is not relevant to the topic.
Position Statement	The position statement provides a clear, strong statement of the author's position on the topic.	The position statement provides a clear statement of the author's position on the topic.	A position statement is present, but does not make the author's position clear.	There is no position statement.
Support for Position	Includes 3 or more pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences) that support the position statement. The writer anticipates the reader's concerns, biases or arguments and has provided at least 1 counter-argument.	Includes 3 or more pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences) that support the position statement.	Includes 2 pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences) that support the position statement.	Includes 1 or fewer pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences).
Evidence and Examples	All of the evidence and examples are specific, relevant and explanations are given that show how each piece of evidence supports the author's position.	Most of the evidence and examples are specific, relevant and explanations are given that show how each piece of evidence supports the author's position.	At least one of the pieces of evidence and examples is relevant and has an explanation that shows how that piece of evidence supports the author's position.	Evidence and examples are NOT relevant AND/OR are not explained.
Audience	Demonstrates a clear understanding of the potential reader and uses appropriate vocabulary and arguments. Anticipates reader's questions and provides thorough answers appropriate for that audience.	Demonstrates a general understanding of the potential reader and uses vocabulary and arguments appropriate for that audience.	Demonstrates some understanding of the potential reader and uses arguments appropriate for that audience.	It is not clear who the author is writing for.
Closing paragraph	The conclusion is strong and leaves the reader solidly understanding the writer's position. Effective restatement of the position statement begins the closing paragraph.	The conclusion is recognizable. The author's position is restated within the first two sentences of the closing paragraph.	The author's position is restated within the closing paragraph, but not near the beginning.	There is no conclusion - the paper just ends.
Grammar & Spelling	Author makes no errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.	Author makes 1-2 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.	Author makes 3-4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.	Author makes more than 4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.
Capitalization & Punctuation	Author makes no errors in capitalization or punctuation, so the essay is exceptionally easy to read.	Author makes 1-2 errors in capitalization or punctuation, but the essay is still easy to read.	Author makes a few errors in capitalization and/or punctuation that catch the reader's attention and interrupt the flow.	Author makes several errors in capitalization and/or punctuation that catch the reader's attention and interrupt the flow.

Conclusion:

When you complete this WebQuest you will have a better understanding on the problem of rodents in New York City, and how it affects many aspects of people’s lives.

Standards:

ELA

4. 1a. Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.

a. Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which related ideas are grouped to support the writer’s purpose.b. Provide reasons that are supported by facts and details.

4.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

Conclusion:

From this WebQuest you should have learned the dangers of rodent infestation in heavy populated areas. Without government policy, it would be difficult to control this infestation. Private companies sell pesticides for rodents, but at a profit. The government needs to be aware of this problem and create effective policies. Working with the Public Policy Analyst, you can see its importance in society.