Web Quest Project

Modern Slavery in the United States

 

Mr. Deming

Advanced ESL

Bread and Roses High School

n_deming@yahoo.com

Introduction

            As a class we have just finished reading Patricia McCormick’s powerful novel, Sold as part of a unit on the problem of modern slavery. Many of you expressed surprise that with over 27 million people in bondage worldwide now, there is more slavery now than at any point in human history.  Although slavery was legally abolished in the United States in the 19th century, the Central Intelligence Agency estimates that over 50,000 people are trafficked into the country as slaves every year. Many of these people are forced into bonded labor or sexual slavery in urban and rural areas throughout the country.

            In response to this urgent and seldom-analyzed social problem, your principal has asked you to become a public policy analyst in order to find a solution to the problem.  Your findings will be sent to our congressman, Charles Rangel, upon completion of the project in an effort to combat the problem.  You have an opportunity to change our country for the better.  Good luck!

 

Task

            You will be divided into groups of three students.  Each group will develop a 5 page research paper and give a 5-7 minute oral presentation.  For your research you will use the resources listed in the web quest, however, you are free to branch out from there to find other sources of information.  The paper should include background information on the history of slavery in the United States, statistics on the current problem as well as your suggestions for practical and effective solutions to modern slavery in the United States.  In the body of the essay, your group should focus on one particular area of modern slavery, such as sexual, domestic, agricultural slavery or bonded labor.  Most importantly, you will use the six steps of the Public Policy Analyst as an outline for both projects. 

 

 

Process

            Your teacher will assemble groups of three.  Within the group, while you will all work collaboratively, each student will be assigned a distinct role:

1)     Researcher Manager:  Coordinates the research process.  Ensures that the data gathered comes from reliable sources and is valid and applicable. 

2)    Writer:  Is responsible for producing the written report.  While each student in the group will contribute to the writing and write at least one section of the essay, the Writer is responsible for assembling and editing all the writing into a unified paper.

3)    Presenter:  Develops and presents the 5-7 minute oral presentation to the class.

 

Your group will use the six steps of the Public Policy Analyst (PPA) to guide your work:

1)     Define the Problem:  https://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet1.doc

2)    Gather the Evidence:  https://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet2.doc

3)    Identify the Causes: https://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet3.doc

4)    Evaluate an Existing Policy: https://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet4.doc

5)    Develop Solutions: https://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet5.doc

6)    Select the Best Solution:  https://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet6.doc

 

 

Resources:

1)    www.google.com  

2)    http://gvnet.com/humantrafficking/USA.htm - Contains an overview of the problem and links to many useful articles.

3)    http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/aa061202a.htm

4)    www.freedomcenter.org/slavery-today/

5)    http://www.humantrafficking.org/content/about_us

 

 

Evaluation (Rubric)

This rubric will be used as a basis for the written and oral reports

Excellent

100-90

(4)

Very Good

89-80

(3)

Satisfactory

79-65

(2)

Unsatisfactory

65-Below

(1)

 Research

Problem clearly identified and thoroughly researched

Problem identified and reasonably well researched

Problem identified

 

Problem identified but research is lacking

PPA Usage

All six steps of the PPA  are clearly addressed

Most of the six steps of the PPA are addressed 

Some of the six steps of the PPA are addressed

Limited research

Quality of Information-

 

Information clearly relates to the main topic.  It includes several supporting details and/or examples.

Information clearly relates to the main topic.  It provides 1-2 supporting details and/or examples.

Information clearly relates to the main topic. No details and/or examples are given.

Information has little or nothing to do with the main topic.

Internet Use

Successfully uses suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.

Usually able to use suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.

Occasionally able to use suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.

Needs assistance or supervision to use suggested internet links and/or to navigate within these sites.

 

Conclusion

            Congratulations!  You have completed the Web Quest assignment.  Your findings will be presented to our Congressman, Charles Rangel, in the hopes that he and his staff can implement some of your suggestions and work towards resolving this grave humanitarian crisis.

 

 

Standards

Standard 1:  Students will listen, speak, read and write in English for information and understanding. 

Standard 3: Students will listen, speak, read and write in English for critical analysis and evaluation.

Standard 4:  Students will listen, speak, read and write in English for classroom and social interaction.

Standard 5:  Students will demonstrate cross-cultural knowledge and understanding