I Thirst: Availability of Clean Drinking Water in Our World
Public Policy Analyst WebQuest
Ann Marie Horan
Notre Dame Jr/Sr High School
Utica, NY
INTRODUCTION: One of Jesus’ last words on the cross was “I Thirst.” Many people in our world do not have clean drinking water and thirst every day. Our book, A Long Walk To Water by Linda Sue Park told the story of Nya and her family and their struggles to obtain drinking water every day. 780 million people lack access to clean drinking water. That is more than 2 1/2 times the United States population. As a class you will create your own PowerPoint exploring the social problem of the lack of clean drinking water and its devastation.
TASK: You will create a power point that uses the Public Policy Analyst (PPA) to determine what we can do either as individuals, a school community or as a country to help eradicate this problem. You must include at least 5 pictures in your slides.
THE PROCESS: You will work independently to complete a PowerPoint presentation with a minimum of 8 slides. These slides will include an introduction, the 6 steps of the PPA and a conclusion. The 6 steps of the PPA are:
— Select the Best Solution (Feasibility vs. Effectiveness)
Each slide should contain a graphic and a title stating the step of the PPA. Before doing the slides, you will complete the following worksheets:
· Gathering evidence of the problem
· Identifying the cause of the problem
· Evaluating Existing Public Policies
· Developing public policy solutions
· Selecting the best public policy solution
THE RESOURCES:
http://thewaterproject.org/?gclid=CPjHufb2g74CFYZcMgodWhAATg
http://water.org/water-crisis/water-facts/water/
http://www.unwater.org/water-cooperation-2013/water-cooperation/facts-and-figures/en/
http://www.unicefusa.org/work/water/
http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/mdg1/en/
http://www.worldwatercouncil.org/library/archives/water-crisis/
https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/water/interesting-water-facts/
https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-water-developing-world
THE EVALUATION:
PowerPoint Rubric
|
ACTIVITY |
Exemplary -4 |
Proficient -3 |
Partially Proficient -2 |
Incomplete-1 |
|
Research and information |
Information indicates you accurately researched a variety of information sources, recorded and interpreted significant facts, meaningful graphics, accurate sounds and evaluated alternative points of view. |
Information shows you recorded relevant information from multiple sources of information, evaluated and synthesized relevant information. |
Information shows you misinterpreted statements, graphics and questions and failed to identify relevant arguments. |
Information shows you recorded information from four or less resource, did not find graphics or sounds, and ignored alternative points of view. |
|
Content |
The content is written clearly and concisely with a logical progression of ideas and supporting information. Information is accurate, current and comes mainly from credible sources. |
The content is written with a logical progression of ideas and supporting information. Includes persuasive information from reliable sources. |
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. |
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.
|
|
Layout |
The layout is visually pleasing and contributes to the overall message with appropriate use of headings, subheadings and white space. |
The layout uses horizontal and vertical white space appropriately. |
The layout shows some structure, but appears cluttered and busy or distracting with large gaps of white space or uses a distracting background. |
The layout is cluttered, confusing, and does not use spacing, headings and subheadings to enhance the readability. |
|
Citations |
Sources of information are properly cited so that the audience can determine the credibility and authority of the information presented. |
Most sources of information use proper MLA citation, and sources are documented to make it possible to check on the accuracy of information. |
Sometimes copyright guidelines are followed and some information, photos and graphics do not use proper MLA citations. |
No way to check validity of information. |
|
Graphics, Sound and/or Animation |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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 |
The text is written with no errors in grammar, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling. |
The text is clearly written with little or no editing required for grammar, punctuation, and spelling. |
Spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors distract or impair readability.
|
Errors in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, usage and grammar repeatedly |
THE CONCLUSION:
By completing your web quest, you have learned how other people in our world thirst for clean drinking water every day. You used the 6 steps of the PPA. You defined the problem, gathered evidence, identified the causes, evaluated existing policies, developed solutions and selected the best solution. Along the way you have gained a greater appreciation of how lucky you are to live in a place where all you have to do is turn on a faucet to get a drink of water whenever you are thirsty.
COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.7.1
Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text
says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1.c
Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the
relationships among claim(s), reasons, and evidence
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1.e
Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the
argument presented.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.6
Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and link
to and cite sources as well as to interact and collaborate with others,
including linking to and citing sources
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.3
Identify key steps in a text's description of a process related to
history/social studies
Works Cited
http://thewaterproject.org/?gclid=CPjHufb2g74CFYZcMgodWhAATg
http://water.org/water-crisis/water-facts/water/
