PPA: The Light in the Forest

PPA: The Light in the Forest

9^th Grade ELA 1

Mr. Leddy’s Webquest

INTRODUCTION

What if you learned that the family you have known your whole life was not really your true family? How would you react? What would you do if your biological family wanted you back and you had no choice but to go? What would you do?

These are questions many of you will never have to answer, but what if you did. Would someone check your date of birth before they allowed you to answer? Situations like that of True Son, from Conrad Richter’s The Light in the Forest still occur in today’s society and can be seen on any one of the popular talk shows. What are True Son’s rights? He was almost 16 years old when he was taken from the tribe. Is he not old enough to decide what he wants from a family? What are your rights at your age? At 16 years of age you are old enough to sign yourself out of school. At 18 years of age you are old enough to vote and enlist. At 21 years of age you are old enough to drink alcohol. Should rights and privileges be decided on how old you are? Knowing your rights and responsibilities before someone tries to violate them makes you better prepared as a student and a citizen.

TASK

Using the 6 steps of PPA decide if True Son/John Butler should have the right to choose what family he wants. You must write a three page, typed, paper that includes the following:

1. The reason True Son was taken from his adoptive home

2. The rights of 15-16 year olds

3. The rights of 18 year olds

4. The rights of 21 year olds

5. The rights of adopted children; the rights of families that adopt; the rights of families that have given children up for adoption

6. Give at least 3 specific examples from The Light in the Forest by Conrad Richter where True Son’s rights may have been violated under the current Public Policy

7. At least 3 on-line sources where you obtained this information

PROCESS

Students will use the 6-step Public Policy format. Use the handouts given to collect information. (If you lose your handout you can print a new one from one of the sites below)

1. Defining the social problem

2. Gathering evidence

3. Identify causes

4. Evaluate a policy

5. Develop solutions

6. Select best solution

RESOURCES

http://www.childadvocate.net/

http://www.youthlaw.org/

http://www.youthlaw.org/ALICE98.pdf

http://www.youthlaw.org/adopt98.pdf

http://boes.org/un/ameun-b.html

National Adoption Information Clearinghouse

American Bar Association

http://www.law.cornell.edu/topics/childrens_rights.html

http://www.curfew.org/

http://srd.yahoo.com/drst/23214000/*http://www.brown.edu/Students/Association_for_Childrens_Suffrage/

http://www.bconnex.net/~cspcc/crime_prevention/rights.htm

http://srd.yahoo.com/drst/39132961/*http://www.generationnow2000.com/

http://gwis2.circ.gwu.edu/~kmandell/kidsshouldvote.html

http://void.oblivion.net/youthspeak/

Census Bureau

https://www.google.com

EVALUATION

Click here for the Rubric

4 = 100 - 90

3.5 = 89 – 85

3 = 84 – 80

2.5 = 79 – 70

2 = 69 – 65

1 = 64 – below

ELA Standards

1. Students will read and write for information and understanding

2. Students will read and write for literary response and expression

3. Students will read and write for critical analysis and evaluation

4. Students will speak and listen for social interaction

Social Studies Standards

5. Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of the (...) the United States Constitution; the basic civic values of American constitutional democracy; and the roles, rights, and responsibilities of citizenship, including avenues of participation.

Conclusion

Upon completion of this Webquest you should fully understand what rights you possess and what rights you have not yet achieved. You will also understand how to enact a change in Public Policy. This knowledge will help you achieve your goals and make you a better informed citizen.