A Webquest designed by

Benita Glickman

Christopher Columbus High School

bgcchs@yahoo.com

INTRODUCTION:

Alcohol use is a serious problem among teenagers in the United States. Many of these teenagers don’t realize the consequences they may face as a result of excessive alcohol intake. They don’t realize that they may become alcohol dependent, that alcohol may cause physiological and psychological problems, that alcohol may lead to unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, vandalism, violence, accidents, death and even suicide.

You are the director of a youth commission in New York City. You will research teenage drinking and today’s existing laws. Then you will propose a solution to Washington lawmakers at a national youth summit on preventing underage drinking.

For ESL 5:

In the novel The Pigman by Paul Zindel, John Conlan and his friends drink. The night before Mr. Pignati is released from the hospital, John and Lorraine throw a party at which the drinking escalates and is responsible for the rest of the events in the story. You are Norton Kelly. You will write a monologue in which you tell about the party and your role in it.

TASK:

Using the Internet,

1. you will research teenage drinking. You will find information on the following, complete the handouts supplied and write a report including:

A. the symptoms of alcohol dependence

B. what happens to a teenager’s body and mind when he/she drinks

C. current treatments available for alcoholism

D. existing laws

2. you will propose a new policy that

A. prevents teenage drinking

B. educates parents about the dangers of teenage drinking

C. imposes penalties, punishments and /or fines on teenagers for alcohol related activities.

You will present this information orally to the class.

PROCESS:

1. In groups of four, complete each of the handouts supplied.

2. Use the six-step Public Policy format. Begin by defining the social problem.

3. Gather evidence.

4. Identify causes.

5. Evaluate a policy.

6. Develop solutions.

7. Select the best solution.

RESOURCES:

1. Search engines:

www.google.com

www.yahoo.com

www.dogpile.com

www.askjeeves.com

www.MSN.com

www.overture.com

2. Web sites:

http://www.bestfriendsfoundation.org/drinking.html

http://www.nzdf.org.nz/teenage_drinking.html

http://www.health.gov.au/mediarel/yr2000/mw/mw20012.htm

http://www.starbreezes.com/11/teendrink.html

http://www.ni-cor.com

http://www.ncadd-sfv.org/symptoms/teen_symptoms.html

Evaluation:

Criteria

Points

	1	2	3	4
Research/ Report	No relevant information on the topic-poorly organized.	Some relevant information on the topic-poorly organized.	A good deal of information on the topic-somewhat well organized.	All the necessary information on the topic-extremely well organized.	____
Worksheets	Incomplete-does not use the conventions of standard written English.	Complete-weak, but intelligible usage of the conventions of standard written English.	Complete-acceptable usage of the conventions of standard written English.	Complete-superlative use of the conventions of standard written English.	____
Proposal/Speech	Presents no data that supports the proposed policy-doesn’t use the PPA	Presents some data that supports the proposed policy-uses some steps of PPA.	Presents a good deal of data that supports the proposed policy-uses at least 4 steps of the PPA.	Presents all the necessary data that supports the proposed policy-uses all six steps of the PPA.	____
				Total---->	____

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.

4. Students will speak and listen for social interaction.

Social Studies Standards:

Students will prepare essays and oral reports about the important social, political, economic, scientific, technological, and cultural developments, issues and events from New York State and United States history.

Conclusion:

This PPA Webquest will help you understand the effect of alcohol on teenagers in the United States. As a public policy analyst you will have identified the symptoms of alcohol dependence and alcohol’s effect on the body and mind. You will have researched the current policies and created a viable alternative policy. As a result of this project you will have learned to identify and improve public policies that affect you as a member of American society.