Meryl Fishman

Grace Dodge Vocational H.S.

English – 9

Merylinez@aol.com

WEBQUEST- MIGRANT FARMERS in the U.S.

Introduction: Today in the U.S. there are still many migrant farmers. They’re always looking for new job opportunities similar to that of George and Lenny in Steinbeck’s of Mice and Men. They wanted to live the American dream, have a stable home, job and way of life. You are asked to travel to California and investigate the problems of unemployment for migrant workers. Using the public policy analyst you will gather information and interview several migrant farmers for your school newspaper. Your editor has asked you to pinpoint the social problems being faced by the migrant farmers today.

TASK: Working in-groups you will be asked to write an article based on the following findings. Your article will follow essay format and have 150-200 words. You must refer to the characters in the book and explain your answer and site examples (step 2). You will also need to use four outside sources. They can include books, magazines, and web sites. The web sites will be provided for you. For your assignment you will need to follow the following procedures.

PROCEDURE:

Step 1: State the problem that you are asked to solve.

*Be sure to relate the experiences of Lenny and George when comparing their struggles to the migrant workers today.

Worksheet 1-“Defining the social Problem.”

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet1.doc

Step 2:Show evidence that such a problem exists.

* Be sure to use the text to show necessary examples and help state the problem.

Worksheet 2- “ Gathering evidence of the problem.”

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet2.doc

Step 3: Identify the causes and effects of the problem.

* Use Textbooks and Web sites to gather information.

Worksheet 3- “Identifying the cause of the problem.”

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet3.doc

Step 4: What laws were in effect at the time and how did they help the migrant farmers.

Worksheet 4-“Evaluating existing public policies.

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet4.doc

Step 5: Choose the laws and policies to solve the problem and

Select the best solution. Describe the policy to be implemented.

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet5.doc

Class requirements:

The class will be broken up into groups of 3-4 people.

Each group will be responsible for presenting information gathered.

All worksheets can be found @http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/hsppareg.html

WEBSITES:

http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=moa;idno=AJR0672

One Thousand Questions in California Agriculture Answered

El Niño-Southern Oscillation Impacts on Winter Vegetable ...

Evaluation:Rubric

A(100-90)

B(89-80)

C(79-70)

D969-60)

F(59-<)

Step1-Intro

Background information

Thesis statement and examples

Thesis statement and examples of essay direction

Thesis statement and 1 example

Thesis statement

Background information

Step2-Evidence

Show evidence from text to prove thesis (at least 3 for each character)

Show evidence from text to prove thesis at least 2 for each character)

Show evidence from text to prove thesis (at least 1 for each character)

Provides evidence and thesis statement as a unit

Step3-Causes

From research show possible causes for problem (at least 3 causes)

From research show possible causes (at least 2)

From research show possible causes (at least 1)

Shows one possible cause of problem.

Step 4-Laws which existed

Site at least 2 laws that helped the migrant farmer find employment.

Site 1 law that helped the migrant farmer find employment

Site 1 law, that helped the migrant farmer, find employment.

Does not site a law that verifies claim

Step 5- Reform possibilities

Give at least 3 possibilities

Give 3 possibilities

Give 2 possibilities

N/A

Step 6- Best solution

Of the three choose the best one

Choose the better of the two choices

Gives a recommendation

Spelling, grammar and punctuation

There should be a minimum of 5

There should be a minimum of 6

There should be a minimum of 8

There should be a minimum of 10

There should be a minimum of 11

Conclusion: At the end of this project each student, and group will become familiar with the public policies of John Steinbeck and the plight of the migrant farmers in the U.S. In your next webquest the students will be able to evaluate and investigate the prejudice in the south by reading, and analyzing To Kill A Mockingbird.

The Webquest focuses on the following English Language arts performance standards.

STANDARD 1

Students will read, write, listen, and speak for information and understanding.

As listeners and readers, students will collect data, facts, and ideas, discover relationships,

Concepts, and generalizations; and use knowledge generated from oral, written, and

Electronically produced texts. As speakers and writers, they will use oral and written language to acquire, interpret, apply, and transmit information.

STANDARD 2

Students will read, write, listen, and speak for literary response and expression. Students will read and listen to oral, written and electronically produced texts and performance relate texts and performances to their own lives, and develop an understanding of the diverse social historical, and cultural dimensions the texts and performances represent. As speakers and writers, students will use oral and written language for self-expression and artistic creation.

STANDARD 3

Students will read, write, listen, and speak for critical analysis and evaluation. As listeners and readers, students will analyze experiences; ideas, information, and issues presented by others using a variety of established criteria. As speakers and writers, they will present, in oral and written language and from a variety of perspectives, their opinions and judgments on experiences, ideas, information and issues.

STANDARD 4

Students will read, write, listen, and speak for social interaction. Students will use oral and written language for effective social communication with a wide variety of people. As readers and listeners, they will use the social communications of others to enrich the understanding of people and their views.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!