TIPS Webquest
Teen Pregnancy and
Parenthood
The First Part Last, By
Angela Johnson
Introduction
Teen pregnancy has become a common occurrence
in our society. In fact, it has become chic or the in thing to do. You are a youth
advocate researching the various social ills that contribute to teenage
pregnancy. You were offered a large
advance from a major publisher to write a book about your findings. Your book
will answer many questions that social policy makers need answers to in order
to solve the problem. What makes it appear so attractive to today’s youth? Is
there a difference between the attitudes of teenage males and females? Are
teens from single parent homes more likely to become teen parents? Your
research should focus on teens from both the urban, suburban, and rural areas.
Task
Your task is to research and write
about teen pregnancy and parenthood throughout the
1.
Working in groups of four, you will
explore the causes and possible solutions for teen pregnancy. Explore what life
is like for those who have decided to continue their pregnancies and become
parents. You must use the websites provided below. Also, you may use books,
magazines, and interviews with teen parents. Do not limit your focus to the
point of view of the teen mother. Include teen fathers in your research.
2. Using the websites provided in the
Resources section below, summarize your research on the following PPA worksheets:
Define the Problem Worksheet
1: Defining the Social Problem
Tell your readers what the social problem is.
Gather the Evidence Worksheet
2: Gathering evidence of the problem
In addition to the
sources provided, what other sources will you use containing evidence that this
problem exists? Record those sources on this worksheet.
Identify the causes Worksheet
3: Identifying the causes of the problem
Identify specifically
what leads to teenagers to become parents. Peer pressure? Home
environment?
Evaluate a Policy Worksheet
4: Evaluating existing public policies
Identify a current
social policy used to alleviate the social problem. Is it effective?
Develop Solutions Worksheet
5: Developing public policy solutions
What policies should be
put in place that will solve the social problem? Identify and record them on
this worksheet.
Select the Best Policy Worksheet
6: Selecting the best public policy solution
Of all the policies
explored, which (after a careful evaluation) would solve the social problem?
research (as outlined on the 6 PPA worksheets above)
paper. Your
presentation will be approximately 5 minutes
in length. You may use visual aids (posters, pictures) to
enhance your presentation.
For those of you who opted to
do a powerpoint presentation, you should have no less
than 10 but no
more than 15 slides. Powerpoint
presentations may
be as long as 10 minutes. Remember to
limit each slide
to the key points only.
Written reports should be no less than 2, but
no longer
than 3 typed double
spaced pages. Be sure to include a
bibliography of all sources used. Remember, The
First
Part Last should not be used as a source
because it is a
work of fiction. It should only be used as a guide to the
issue explored
through research.
RESOURCES:
When
Children Have Children - AACAP Facts for Families #31
The Daily Mississippian - Program offered for teen mothers
http://www.oneyoungparent.com/
Rubrics: RESEARCH
PAPER
|
3 |
2 |
1 |
Content |
Writing shows in-depth
analysis of teen violence and offers insightful proposals according to the
Public Policy Analysis methodology. |
Writing shows basic
understanding and analysis of teen violence and offers adequate
solutions. It briefly addresses each
of the steps of the PPA. |
Writing shows
summarization of the research information.
It may contain vague references to the steps of Public Policy
Analysis. |
Structure and Organization |
Writing is generally
well organized according to definite plans.
Topics or ideas generally clear. Typically clear
beginnings and ends. Most transitions smooth
and logical. Details generally
varied and vivid. |
Controlling topics,
ideas, or overall plans always present but do not always focus the writing. Endings may sometimes be awkward or abrupt. Transitions are
typically logical but may on occasion lack depth and/or direct relevance. |
Topics or overall plans
may not be clearly present. Possible digressions or
elaborations confusing to reader. Beginnings and endings
may be awkward or abrupt. Key elements may be
unevenly developed or omitted. Details used
inconsistently. |
Style |
Sound reasoning. Clear
position. Opinions thoughtfully supported. Credible evidence. Avoids exaggeration. Compelling arguments.
Fact/opinion distinguished. Conclusions well-grounded. Displays evidence to
advantage. Believable and defensible. Convincing. |
Few surprises.
Predictable, well-worn arguments. Credible but limited support. Acceptable,
knowledge as evidence. Fact/opinion sometimes overlap. |
Minimal content. Unsupported statements. Weak, questionable evidence. Position
weak/unclear/shifting. Overly reliant on repetition and exaggeration. |
Oral Presentation Powerpoint |
All aspects of the PPA
analysis are present within the presentation. The use of visual aids such as
posters and charts illustrates creativity Each slide is readable,
contains only pertinent information |
Few examples of creative effort.
Credible but limited arguments and facts. Facts and opinions sometimes
overlap. Font and color is moderately
readable, too much information is contained on each slide |
Minimal content. Unsupported statements. Weak, questionable evidence. Position
weak/unclear/shifting. Tendency to rely on repetition and exaggeration. Font and color hinder
readability, each slide is too wordy or repeats what is contained in the
report verbatim |
This Webquest addresses the
following
E1c: Read and comprehend informational materials.
E2a: Produce a paper on information and observations.
E3b: Participate in group meetings.
E3c: Prepare and deliver an individual presentation.
E4b: Analyze and subsequently revise work to improve its clarity
and effectiveness.
Conclusion
During your research, you learned about the causes of teen
pregnancy throughout the