Dayton

Binghamton High School

607-762-8267

YOUTH VIOLENCE WITHIN THE BINGHAMTON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT CLASSROOM, HIGH SCHOOL, AND COMMUNITY – a comparative analysis to the novel.

http://moufflets.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/separatepeace.jpg

INTRODUCTION: In the novel A Separate Peace, by John Knowles, the author teaches us thematically that jealousy within a friendship is destructive and can have long-term effects on people resulting in teen violence, and in the case of this novel, even death. The students in Language A/English 9D have been selected by ASP Consulting Services to examine the existence of teen violence within the classroom, at Binghamton High School, and the Binghamton community.

TASK: You will work in groups of four to examine the novel A Separate Peace to find examples of jealousy, or other acts of violence, and the effects of violence on the characters in the novel. Your group will take on the role of Administration (Superintendent, Associate Principal, Building Principal, and Assistant Principal) at the Binghamton High School to identify existing problems and do a comparative analysis to Devon School in the novel.

Your group will create a compare/contrast chart (using Power Point, poster board, or a graphic organizer) outlining your discoveries and results. Your chart must include specific quotes from the novel, specific examples from your research, causes of teen violence and its effects, proposed solutions with your group’s opinions related to the effectiveness versus feasibility of your suggestions.

PROCESS: Complete the Public Policy Analyst (PPA) worksheets to help you complete your Task. The PPA includes:

Step #1: Define the Problem using Worksheet #1. Remember, the Problem must be related to school violence. Also, the problem must be written in one declarative sentence (no questions!!).

Step #2: Gather the Evidence using Worksheet #2. Find evidence related to school violence. This could include statistics, news articles, television programs, case studies, etc. Refer to the Resource section to find a variety of search engines as well as specific websites to help you locate evidence.

Step #3: Identify the Causes using Worksheet #3. What causes teen violence? Are the causes related to home life, emotional or physical factors, lack of discipline?

Step #4: Evaluate an Existing Policy using Worksheet #4. Select an existing policy related to school violence for Binghamton High School from the Student Handbook. Determine whether this policy is effective, should it be reorganized, eliminated, or simply updated.

Step #5: Develop Solutions using Worksheet #5. Based on your research and discussions, create three solutions to be proposed to the Board of Education related to school violence.

Step #6: Select the Best Solution (Feasibility versus Effectiveness) using Worksheet #6. The idea of this Web Quest is to identify issues of teen violence – and its causes – and make suggestions, as Administrators, to the Board of Education on how to correct these issues.

RESOURCES: Use the following search engines to find information/evidence on the topic of teen violence within a community and school.

http://youthviolence.edschool.virginia.edu/violence-in-schools/national-statistics.html

http://www.teenviolencestatistics.com/content/school-violence-statistics.html

http://socialissues.wiseto.com/Topics/SchoolViolence/

MLA style for electronic citation:

http://www.wju.edu/academics/departments/arc/mla_internet.html

General Search Engines:

www.amazon.com (For downloading pictures)

www.lycos.com

TIPS

EVALUATION:

A - Exemplary: 40-44 points
B - Proficient: 36-39 points
Partially Proficient or Incomplete: Needs to be resubmitted - less than 36 points

PowerPoint Rubric

ACTIVITY	Exemplary	Proficient	Partially Proficient	Incomplete	POINTS
Research and use of worksheets	6 points Worksheets indicate you accurately researched a variety of information sources, recorded and interpreted significant facts, meaningful graphics, accurate sounds and evaluated alternative points of view.	4 points Worksheets show you recorded relevant information from multiple sources of information, evaluated and synthesized relevant information.	2 points Worksheets show you misinterpreted statements, graphics and questions and failed to identify relevant arguments.	0 points Worksheets show you recorded information from four or less resources, did not find graphics or sounds, and ignored alternative points of view.
Introduction	3 points The introduction presents the overall topic and draws the audience into the presentation with compelling questions or by relating to the audience's interests or goals.	2 points The introduction is clear and coherent and relates to the topic.	1 point The introduction shows some structure but does not create a strong sense of what is to follow. May be overly detailed or incomplete and is somewhat appealing to the audience.	0 points The introduction does not orient the audience to what will follow. The sequencing is unclear and does not appear interesting or relevant to the audience.
Content	8 points The content is written clearly and concisely with a logical progression of ideas and supporting information. The project includes motivating questions and advanced organizers. The project gives the audience a clear sense of the main idea. Information is accurate, current and comes mainly from * primary sources.	6 points The content is written with a logical progression of ideas and supporting information. Includes persuasive information from reliable sources.	4 points The content is vague in conveying a point of view and does not create a strong sense of purpose. Includes some persuasive information with few facts. Some of the information may not seem to fit. Sources used appear unreliable.	0 points The content lacks a clear point of view and logical sequence of information. Includes little persuasive information and only one or two facts about the topic. Information is incomplete, out of date and/or incorrect. Sequencing of ideas is unclear.
Layout	3 points The layout is visually pleasing and contributes to the overall message with appropriate use of headings, subheadings and white space.	2 points The layout uses horizontal and vertical white space appropriately.	1 point The layout shows some structure, but appears cluttered and busy or distracting with large gaps of white space or uses a distracting background.	0 points The layout is cluttered, confusing, and does not use spacing, headings and subheadings to enhance the readability.
Citations	6 points Sources of information are properly cited so that the audience can determine the credibility and authority of the information presented. All sources of information are clearly identified and credited using MLA citations throughout the project.	4 points Most sources of information use proper MLA citation, and sources are documented to make it possible to check on the accuracy of information.	2 points Sometimes copyright guidelines are followed and some information, photos and graphics do not use proper MLA citations.	0 points No way to check validity of information.
Graphics, Sound and/or Animation	3 points The graphics, sound and/or animation assist in presenting an overall theme and enhance understanding of concept, ideas and relationships. Original images are created using proper size and resolution, and all images enhance the content. There is a consistent visual theme.	2 points The graphics, sound/and or animation visually depict material and assist the audience in understanding the flow of information or content. Original images are used. Images are proper size, resolution.	1 point Some of the graphics, sounds, and/or animations seem unrelated to the topic/theme and do not enhance the overall concepts. Most images are clipart or recycled from the WWW. Images are too large/small in size. Images are poorly cropped or the color/resolution is fuzzy.	0 points The graphics, sounds, and/or animations are unrelated to the content. Graphics do not enhance understanding of the content, or are distracting decorations that create a busy feeling and detract from the content.
Writing Mechanics	6 points The text is written with no errors in grammar, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.	4 points The text is clearly written with little or no editing required for grammar, punctuation, and spelling.	2 points Spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors distract or impair readability. (3 or more errors)	0 points Errors in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, usage and grammar repeatedly distract the reader and major editing and revision is required. (more than 5 errors)
TOTAL POINTS	/44

* Primary sources can include original letters and diaries, personal observations, interviews, first-hand accounts, newspaper articles, magazine articles, journal articles, Web pages, audio recordings, video productions and photography.

CONCLUSION: As a result of this Web Quest, you should be able to identify examples of teen violence within your class, school, and community. You should be able to identify samples of teen violence within the novel A Separate Peace as well. A variety of solutions should have been presented as a result of your appointment as an Administrator within the District. The validity of this assignment is addressed in the following NYS ELA Learning Standards.

STANDARDS: