TIPS PPA WEBQUEST
FOR A 12th Grade
U.S. History and Government Class
TERM
LIMITS, THE RACE FOR NEW YORK CITY MAYOR
& NATIONAL TRAGEDY
Julia
Loving, School Media Specialist
Christopher Columbus High School
As American
citizens we have always prided ourselves in the rights granted to us by the
United States Constitution.
It was the legal
right of citizens of New York State to vote for term limits when they did so in
1993. We hold these rights dear and
when any of these rights are abridged; we are obligated to take the necessary
action to maintain our constitutional rights.
Many New York City residents would like to repeal New York State law
that prohibits mayors to hold office for more than two terms. In the wake of the tragedy of September 11,
2001 that has befallen our nation- - Some New York City residents believe
mayoral term limits should be repealed in times of a national tragedy. Your
mission is to study term limits and its role in the New York City 2001 mayoral
election.
In order to present a
unified statement to the class. The
class will be divided into groups to research the pertinent issues of the
effect the tragedy of 9/11/2001 has had on the 2001 New York City Mayoral
campaign. The best way to prepare for the class discussion is to learn about a
variety of viewpoints on Term Limits. Students will be assigned to groups that
will take and support a position.
Roles and Perspectives
To learn about a variety of viewpoints, groups will each assume the
role of one of the following:
· Mayoral
Candidates
·
Students
·
Concerned
Citizens
·
Political
Activists
Each group will have
an assigned role. Each member will explore the background information. From
this research, each group will draft a role position statement based on
information gleaned from the relevant sites. Each of you will bring your
written position statement to the class for discussion. The groups will
formulate a unified position about the role term limits play during national
tragedy. Groups will discuss possible
solutions to the public policy issue of term limits. This written solution
should be supported with the arguments researched and the group discussion.
Since your group is representing different roles, it
will be necessary to present the solution and supportive information to the
class. This will be an oral and written presentation.
This type of analysis includes all of the following
steps:
You
will have to create and present an Oral
Presentation and a three page
typed report on the topic of repealing Term Limits during times of
national tragedy.
For
either project you will have to use the 6-step
public policy approach:
1.
Define
and describe the problem (social
conditions, players, public
policy
2.
Gather evidence for this problem
3.
Identify causes for this problem
4.
Describe and evaluate the existing policy for
this problem
5.
Develop solutions/policies
for the problems for this existing policy
6.
Select the best policy for this problem
As your group answers
these questions, you are striving to achieve the following goals:
·
To develop an understanding of alternative viewpoints
regarding Term Limits.
·
To critically evaluate the resources based on relevancy,
biases and errors.
·
To develop and support a role position.
· To
compare, contrast, listen, evaluate and problem-solve as you work as a team.
·
To reach consensus on a committee recommendation.
·
To use electronic communication media.
Use the following guidelines
for the completion of both products.
Guidelines
· Research the Internet sources listed below in
order to respond to all of the following questions
· Use the 6-step public policy analysis work sheets
before writing your report. Worksheets
are available at:
www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS.html
· After you complete your six worksheets, begin
writing a first draft of your report.
· Prepare a group oral presentation that supports
your groups position as expressed in your report
· Submit your individual reports and present your
group oral presentation
RESEARCH
QUESTIONS
1. Define Term Limits.
2. What areas of government do term limits apply? Find other states that have voted for Term
Limits.
3. Discuss the issues and candidates of the 2001 N.Y.C. Mayoral
Race in relation to the World Trade Center Disaster.
4. Evaluate the effectiveness of Term Limits.
5. What is our current world crisis?
6. How has this crisis (terrorism) had an effect on N.Y.C
governing body?
7. What are the underlying causes of the attacks against the
U.S.?
8. What action should the New York city residents take in regards the
proposal to repeal Term Limits in times of a National tragedy?
Information
(Internet) Resources:
www.gothamgazette.com/searchlight2001/archives/feb.01.html
www.newsday.com/news/local.newyork/politics/
www.perkel.com/politics/issues/limits.htm
www.encyclopedia.com/articles/12744.html
www.msnbc.com/news/637728.asp?cp1=1
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/termlimits/termlimits.htm
http://dan_pressnell.tripod.com/termlimits.htm
www.tcf.org/pip/06-17-1999/Bios.html
www.cato.org/dailys/09-29-01.html
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/politics/DailyNews/WTC_giuliani010927.html
www.nationalpolitical.com/column52.htm
www.gothamgazette.com/searchlight2001/mayor1.html
www.commoncause.org/states/newyork/0901ny.htm
GENERAL SEARCH ENGINES
Your grade for this WebQuest will be evaluated according
to the following criteria:
ü
You will receive an individual grade based on the
supported-group-position you develop.
ü
A written copy is to be handed in.
ü
A group grade will also be given based on how well you
work as a group.
ü
The two grades will be averaged for a final WebQuest grade.
ü
The group paper will be an Oral presentation to the
class.
ü
A written copy is to be handed in.
ü
You may include graphics in addition to the typed 3
pages.
ü
You must use paragraphs and follow the conventions of
standard written English
ü
A cover sheet with your name, class, date and title of
your report.
ü
Your paper should include a bibliography (MLA Style).
You will be evaluated based
on the rubric chart below:
|
: |
UNACCEPTABLE |
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT |
SATISFACTORY |
EXEMPLARY |
|
Quality of
information |
Inaccurate Information |
General
information Use one
specific example Has a vague understanding of the issue |
Accurate information. Use one specific example. |
Accurate information Use two or more specific examples |
|
Accuracy |
Serious grammatical errors |
A few serious errors |
Few spelling Mistakes |
Grammatically perfect |
|
Format |
No format Followed |
A format is followed |
A general format is followed |
Format is followed Perfectly |
After completing this WebQuest, the members of each
group will have:
·
An understanding of the issue of Term Limits.
·
A view of the issue from different perspectives .
·
Chosen a position and supported it.
·
Worked through a group process to arrive at a consensus
for presentation.
·
The ability to extract appropriate information from a
multitude of sites.
·
A working knowledge of the Internet and the use of
links.
·
Met Social Studies Learning Standards and English
Language Arts Performance Standards .