By: Heather Carswell &

Alexandra Cordova-Arundell

Your class has been chosen by the Mayor of New York City to be on the Task Force for Homelessness. He is trying to figure out why there is such a high amount of homeless people in the city. We already know the high poverty rate is one reason why there is a homeless epidemic. People who once lived comfortably are now living on the street because they’ve lost their home due to lack of money to pay their mortgages or rents. Entire families are living in homeless shelters, living in fear of getting robbed or having another violent crime happen to them. What are we going to do?

As a member of the NYC task force for homelessness you must help Mayor Bloomberg identify the contributing factors of becoming homeless. Your task is to identify the contributing factors of homelessness in New York City. You must create a power point presentation of 3-5 slides explaining your ideas.

Step 1

· Complete worksheets on Maniac Magee and homelessness.

Step 2

· Read and gather information from the websites given.

· Compile you data and skim the material for the most important facts.

Step3

· Complete the PPA worksheets.

Worksheet 1 Define the problem.

Worksheet 2. Gather the evidence.

Worksheet 3. Identify the causes

Worksheet 4. Examine an Existing Policy

Worksheet5. Develop Solutions

Worksheet 6. Select the Best Solution

Look at the following websites to complete the task.

Facts about Homelessness in New York City

http://www.partnershipforthehomelessness.org/facts/facts_home.html

Statistics

www.ysop.org/statistics.html

Policies on Homelessness

www.unitedwaynyc.org/?id+17&pg+hhp

Action Plan: NYC Homelessness

www.nyc.gov/htm/dhs/html/home/home.shtml

Causes of Homelessness

www.nationalhomeless.org/publications/facts/why.html

Agencies

www.manhattancb4.org/local_resources_servies/res_homeless.html

Powerpoint Project Rubric
	A	B	C
Content	"A", plus Covers topic in depth. Elaborates throughout Includes details. Raises questions. Invites ?'s & curiosity & audience wants to know more.	"B" plus: Includes essential information. Some elaboration beyond minimal requirements. Texts are in correct English	Fulfills minimal topic requirements: Texts are paraphrased & overall in correct English. Variety of references were used The "what is, how, where, why, when, how often, with what effect is described. At least one Internet example is given.
Technology	"A", plus Graphics 1 Moving sequence. Includes varied graphics from 3 outside sources. Uses powerpoint varied features and attachments (scanner, etc). Uses varied yetcohesive methods for project.	"B" plus: Has 3 more cards. Often, more than one text field/card uses design features on most cards. Integrates 4 graphics from 2 outside sources.	Fulfills minimal requirements: Has title &overview cards. Each card 2 buttons, text. 3 cards have colors, transitions, sounds. 1 graphic each is included from 2 outside sources. Group work is integrated into one project. Shows effort and growth.
Oral Presentation	"A", plus Uses original approach effectively. Highly organized. Well rehearsed. Uses vivid, precise language. Ease in delivery techniques.	"B" plus: Interesting. Logical order. Fluid delivery. Clear connections in material. Good use of delivery techniques.	Engages audience. Clear and understandable. Uses appropriate language. Uses limited delivery techniques. Takes equal turns.
Teamwork	"A", plus: Provides vital leader- ship. Asks for and gives suggestion & help. Maintains positive attitude.	"B" plus: Helps to organize and facilitate group. Encourages others. Carefully edits peer/s. Stays on task, Meets due dates.	Works well in group. Contributes to group effort. Participates in peer editing. Does assigned tasks. Takes turns.

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The powerpoint presentation will be the final activity of this unit. Students will reflect on the project and write about their experience of being on the NYC Homeless task force and how they plan on resolving the homeless problem in New York City.

New York Learning Standards for English as a Second Language

Standards used for this unit are 1,3,4,5

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

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 understand