Stopping Genocide

in Our World Today

 

 

Mrs. Bambino

English 8

North Syracuse Junior High School

sbambino@nscsd.org

 

 

Introduction: 

Anne Frank is the world’s most famous victim of genocide.  Anne was killed in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945.  Although the Holocaust was a horrific time in history, genocide still happens in our world today.  It is happening right now.

 

 

Problem: 

Genocide is happening in our world today in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan and South Sudan.

 

 

Task:  

Students will complete two worksheets and use this information to create a group oral presentation.

 

 

Process:

Part I - Individually, students will need to complete the first four steps of the WebQuest on the PPA Part I worksheet.  Be sure you are fully aware of the concept of genocide and what regions of the world it is currently impacting.  Click here for the PPA Part I Worksheet.

You will need to use the links under resources to successfully complete this section. 

Part II – In pre-determined small groups, you will come up with three to five possible solutions to the genocide happening in our world today.  On the PPA Part II worksheet, you will need to give a detailed description of each solution and why this solution would work.  You will also need to evaluate your groups’ ideas.  How effective would each solution be?  How feasible would each solution be?  Click here for the PPA Part II Worksheet.

Pat III – With your small group, prepare a 3-5 minute presentation to share your best solution to the problem of genocide.  Use the PPA presentation guideline sheet to make sure you are hitting all the key points during your presentation.  Click here for the PPA Presentation Guidelines.

 

Steps of the Public Policy Analyst (PPA) problem-solving method:

1)     Define the problem  

2)    Gather the evidence

3)   Identify the Causes

4)   Evaluate an Existing Policy

5)   Develop Solutions

6)   Select the Best Solution (Feasibility vs. Effectiveness)

 

 

Resources: 

·        The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum – What is Genocide?

·        The United State Holocaust Memorial Museum – Who is at Risk?

·        Global Solution – Genocide Prevention

 

 

Rubric:

CATEGORY

25

20

15

10

PPA worksheet #1

PPA worksheet #1 is completely, thoughtfully filled in. All information is accurate and all sources are listed correctly.

PPA worksheet #1 is mostly thoughtful. It may contain 1-2 minor inaccuracies or have incorrect citations.

PPA worksheet #1 is somewhat thoughtful. There may be blank sections or major inaccuracies. Citations may be incomplete or not done.

PPA worksheet #1 is partially complete or rushed.

PPA worksheet #2

PPA worksheet #2 is completely, thoughtfully filled in. Possible solutions are mature and the evaluation of these solutions is accurate.

PPA worksheet #2 is complete and mostly thoughtful. Some solutions or evaluation of solutions may be unrealistic.

PPA worksheet #2 is somewhat thoughtful. Some solutions or evaluations may be inaccurate or unrealistic.

PPA worksheet #2 is partially complete or rushed.

Information presented

All information is accurate and thoughtful. The information is useful for the rest of the class to learn.

The information presented is mostly accurate and thoughtful. The information is mostly useful for the rest of the class to learn.

The information is somewhat accurate and thoughtful. Some ideas may be irrelevant or unimportant for the class to hear.

The information is completely inaccurate or irrelevant.

Group presentation

The group presentation is creative and entertaining to watch. It is obvious that a great deal of planning went into this presentation. Each group member contributes and speaks during the presentation.  The presentation was within the 3-5 minute time frame.

The group presentation is mostly entertaining to watch. Each group member contributes and speaks during the presentation.   The presentation was within 20 seconds of the 3-5 minute time frame.

The group presentation is somewhat entertaining to watch. One or more group members may not speak during the presentation.  The presentation was within a minute of the 3-5 time frame.

The group presentation is confusing or inaccurate.

 

The presentation may have been under two minutes or over six minutes.

                                                                          Final Score out of 100 points:

 

 

Common Core Standards:

Reading for Informational Text Standard 1:

Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

 

Reading for Informational Text Standard 6:

Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author acknowledges and responds to conflicting evidence or viewpoints.

 

Reading for Informational Text Standard 7:

Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums (e.g., print or digital text, video, multimedia) to present a particular topic or idea.

 

Reading for Informational Text Standard 8:

Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; recognize when irrelevant evidence is introduced.

 

Writing Standard 7:

Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration.

 

Writing Standard 8:

Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.

 

Writing Standard 9:

Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

 

Speaking and Listening Standard 1:

Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher led) with diverse partners on grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

 

Speaking and Listening Standard 4:

Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with relevant evidence, sound valid reasoning, and well-chosen details; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.

 

Reading for Literacy in History, Standard 9:

Analyze the relationship between a primary and secondary source on the same topic.