Ms. A. Soto

PS/MS 46

5^th grade

 

 

Introduction

You are invited to join a Child Advocacy group working alongside the First Lady Michelle Obama in the fight against childhood obesity. The First Lady has been outspoken about children eating healthier and being physically active in school as well as at home.  According to the article, Childhood Obesity in New York City Elementary School Students from American Journal of Public Health in 2004, “In NYC public elementary schools, approximately 43% of children are overweight and more than 20% of students in that group are obese.” Currently, the percentage has decreased due to the many efforts from nutrition advocates.  It is important to Mrs. Obama that young students like you get involved in the policy planning process to see healthier habits within the schools.

 

Task

Your group is responsible to present to the First Lady the following:

·         a 2-3 page expository essay addressing the issue of childhood obesity using the Six Steps in the Public Policy Analysts (PPA)

·         A poster informing your community about childhood obesity

·         A poster promoting healthier choices.

 

 

Process

1.     You will be working in groups of 3.  Each person will be responsible for writing 2 sections of the essay corresponding to the steps of the PPA assigned. However, you will work together to research and gather information for each section.

1.     Define the problem 

2.     Gather Evidence 

3.     Identify causes 

4.     Evaluate policy 

5.     Develop solutions 

6.     Select the best solution 

2.     Use your textbook and what we have learned about health and nutrition along with the websites in the resources section to learn more about obesity and how it affects our community.

3.     Each group will complete the steps of The Public Policy Analyst and complete each worksheet before writing the essay and creating the posters.

Step 1: Define the problem Worksheet1: "Defining the social problem"(MSWORD)

Step 2: Gather the Evidence Worksheet2: "Gathering evidence of the problem"(MSWORD)

Step 3: Identify the Causes Worksheet3: "Identifying the cause of the problem"(MSWORD)

Step 4: Evaluate a Policy Worksheet4: "Evaluating Existing Public Policies"(MSWORD)

Step 5: Develop Solutions Worksheet5: "Developing public policy solutions"(MSWORD)

Step 6: Select the Best Solution Worksheet6: "Selecting the best public policy solution" (MSWORD)

4.     After completing the worksheets, each group will write a 2-3 page expository essay.  (Each student is responsible for writing a paragraph or more for 2 sections.

5.     When you complete the essay, create two posters. One poster is for informing the community about childhood obesity, including facts, statistics, photos, illustrations, etc. to get your point across.  Another poster is for promoting healthy choices.

 

 

Resources

·        http://www.cccnewyork.org/issues/food/?gclid=CNuv4f772rwCFRJo7AodczcAHQ

·        https://www.healthiergeneration.org/about_childhood_obesity/in_your_state/new_york/?gclid=CI2LlIj92rwCFXBk7AodtQgAkw

·        http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/living/obesity.shtml

·        http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content2/obesity.html

·        http://www.nyc.gov/html/om/pdf/2012/otf_report.pdf

·        http://www.timeforkids.com/news/first-lady-fights-fat-kids/11886

·        http://www.timeforkids.com/news/bye-bye-junk-food/40966

·        http://www.cdc.gov/bam/

·        http://www.letsmove.gov/eat-healthy

·        http://www.nyrrf.org/about/media/pdf/FACT%20SHEET_CHILDHOOD%20OBESITY-NYC%20April%2030%202010_GBedit.pdf

·        http://children.webmd.com/obesity-children

·        http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/childhood-obesity/FL00058

·        http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/childrens-health/HQ00419

·        http://www.brainpop.com/health/nutrition/bodyweight/preview.weml

·        http://www.foodbackwards.com/

·        http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/index.html

·        http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/causes/index.html

·        http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/stateprograms/index.html

 

 

Evaluation

70 percent of your grade will be based on your completed worksheets and written report. 

30 percent will be based on your posters.

 

Rubrics:

Criteria for Written Presentation

4 3 2 1 Task  (which includes cover page) All areas of the task were addressed and handled with a high degree of sophistication. The plan followed by the team demonstrated a great deal of thought. At least one area of the task was not addressed. The plan followed by the team demonstrated a great deal of thought. At least two areas of the task were not addressed. The plan followed by the team demonstrated a moderate level of thought. The task is incomplete and/or it is apparent that little effort went into the development of the task. 30 Public Policy/ Solution The ideas expressed by the body of work demonstrate a high degree of originality. The ideas expressed by the body of work are mostly original. The group may have improved upon a previous idea. The ideas expressed by the body of work demonstrate a low degree of originality. There were no original ideas expressed in this project. 20 Grammar, Format , and Spelling The final body of work was free of grammar, spelling, and formatting errors. The final body of work had 1 error related to either grammar, spelling, and formatting errors. The final body of work had 3-5 grammar, spelling, and formatting errors. The final body of work had major grammar, spelling, and formatting errors. 20 Your Total--- 70

 

Poster

 

 

Conclusion

By the time you complete this WebQuest, you will be familiar with the issue of childhood obesity in New York City.  You will be able to share with others the possible solutions your group comes up with based on your new found knowledge about the causes of obesity.

 

 

Common Core Standards

LE.5.2g, LE.5.3a, LE.5.3b

RI.5.6, RI.5.7, RI.5.9

W.5.2, W.5.4, W.5.5