Denise T. Lombardo

Cardinal Spellman H.S.

dlombardo@cardinalspellman.org

What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up? Like a raisin in the sun?

minneapolis.broadwayworld.com

INTRODUCTION – Social problems, by definition, affect segments of society or society as a whole. The class will be researching and discussing the effects of a specific Social Problem in A Raisin in the Sun that affected Mama’s family, during the time period of the play, and that still, unfortunately, exists today. One of the main problems is Racial Discrimination, which clearly affects Mama and her family in their quest to get ahead. Racial Discrimination has negatively affected people, like Mama’s family, throughout history. Have things changed from the 1950s to today? If so, how have they changed? If not, why is there no real change? Students must take a stand.

TASK – Within each group of 3, members will be assigned specific tasks. One student will create a Power Point Presentation, another will be responsible for Research and worksheets that will be provided and a third student will create a Newspaper. Each member should be ready to orally present/discuss his/her part of the project. Each part of the project will be graded, along with the presentation, to form one group grade.

The Steps of the PPA are as follows:

1. Define the Social Problem.

2. Gather Evidence connected to the problem.

3. Identify the Causes of the problem.

4. Evaluate existing Public Policies related to the problem.

5. Develop your own Public Policy Solutions.

6. Select a specific Public Policy Solution for each task.

Processes/Resources -

· The teacher will choose the 3 members for each group. Once the group members have been assigned, the members of the group will decide among themselves who will complete each of the 3 specific tasks.

· All tasks chosen must address the 6 steps of the PPA format that are listed above this section.

· The student who is working on the Research paper must hand in at least 4 pages of paraphrased information – not work that is directly copied/pasted. The information must be typed with at least one source at the end taken from the school database. This work must follow MLA format. All related worksheets must also be completed.

· The student who is working on the Power Point Presentation must create at least 8 slides with 4 – 5 bullets on each. Each bullet should only contain a few words or a phrase. Pictures should be added. A print - out of the slides must be handed in with a source listed at the end following MLA format.

· The student who is working on the Newspaper must create at least 4 pages of “News” related to the topic that has been assigned. Articles can be found online and copied/pasted or they can be written by the student creating the newspaper. All facts must be valid and sources must be listed at the end according to MLA format. The Newspaper must also include pictures and headlines. Look up “Newspaper Set – Up” online for assistance.

· The students will then “brainstorm” and decide the order in which they will present and when and how they will meet to practice. Class time will be given but they must decide if they need to meet more often.

· On a specific assigned date, each member must come back to the group with a Draft of his/her part of the project. If each member of the group brings in a Draft on the assigned date, then the group will earn 10 points toward the overall project grade.

· The groups will then be assigned a date on which they will meet for Presentation practice. At that time, the members should be giving each other advice about the Presentation information/performance. Students should keep in mind that the grade for the Presentation, like the rest of the Tasks, will seriously impact all members of the group.

· Each member’s task will be worth 25 points and the overall presentation will also be worth 25 points. The entire project will then be worth 100 points. Students are to note that this is one group grade so they should be very conscientious when preparing and presenting their part of the assignment.

· Students should then be ready to present and hand in assigned parts of the project on the designated date. Late/missing work will impact the entire group because it will be one group grade!

· The following links are the ONLY 3 that can be used.

· the American dream in A Raisin in the Sun

· race in A Raisin in the Sun

· Lorraine Hansberry

EVALUATION - Collaboration Rubric

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score
Contribute
Research -Power Point Visual Aid Presentation Information	Does not collect any information that relates to the topic.	Collects very little information--some relates to the topic.	Collects some basic information--most relates to the topic.	Collects a great deal of information--all relates to the topic.
Shares Information	Does not relay any information to teammates.	Relays very little information--some relates to the topic.	Relays some basic information--most relates to the topic.	Relays a great deal of information--all relates to the topic.
Punctual	Does not hand in any assignments.	Hands in most assignments late.	Hands in most assignments on time.	Hands in all assignments on time.
Takes Responsibility
Fulfills Team Role's Duties	Does not perform any duties of assigned team role.	Performs very little duties.	Performs nearly all duties.	Performs all duties of assigned team role.
Shares Equally	Always relies on others to do the work.	Rarely does the assigned work--often needs reminding.	Usually does the assigned work--rarely needs reminding.	Always does the assigned work without having to be reminded.
Values Others Opinions
Other Concerns Cooperates with teammates	Usually argues with teammates	Sometimes argues.	Rarely argues.	Never argues with teammates.

CONCLUSION

When your group has successfully completed all tasks listed above, you should be able to inform other students about the Social Problem of Racial Discrimination that existed during the time period of the play and that still exists today. The information, that you present, should be clear enough to make others aware of the fact that, while some things change as time passes, other things, unfortunately, remain the same. The gaining of this knowledge will, hopefully, motivate others to take a good look at society and convince them to take a strong interest in creating a positive change.

Congratulations on a job well doneJ

STANDARDS

English Language Arts

Standard 1: Language for Information and Understanding Students will listen, speak, read, and write for information and understanding. As listeners and readers, students will collect data, facts, and ideas; discover relationships, concepts, and generalizations; and use knowledge generated from oral, written, and electronically produced texts. As speakers and writers, they will use oral and written language that follows the accepted conventions of the English language to acquire, interpret, apply, and transmit information.

Standard 5: Technology
Students will apply technological knowledge and skills to design, construct, use, and evaluate products and systems to satisfy human and environmental needs