FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME

Mrs. Cohen

Adlai E. Stevenson High School

Fetal Alcohol

 

 

Introduction:

Drinking too much alcohol causes people to lose their sense of judgment and can have tragic results such as when a drunk individual gets into a car and causes an accident. Although drinking alcohol is always a risk, the danger of alcohol is especially high when the individual drinking is pregnant. When a woman drinks, so does her unborn baby. The baby can develop a condition known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome that can cause retardation, hyperactivity, facial abnormalities and many other defects. In this webquest, you will research the problem of drinking during pregnancy and you will gain the skills needed to determine how severely a baby will be affected based on when the mother consumed alcohol. You will then play the role of a WIC counselor whose job is to educate pregnant women about the risks of alcohol during pregnancy.

 

Task:

You will work in groups of two to perform the following tasks:

1.     Complete questions below to write a short paper about the problem and causes of drinking during pregnancy as well as the current policies addressing the problem. Additionally, you will include a paragraph about fetal development and alcohol.

2.     Each pair of students will receive a case study describing the details of a particular woman’s pregnancy. The case study will include information on how much and when the woman drank alcohol. Based on this case study, you will predict how the woman’s baby will be affected. You will then role play an interview with the woman where you will counsel her on the effects of alcohol during pregnancy and encourage her to stop drinking.

 

Process:

In order to write your paper, you will follow the steps outlined below. Clicking on the underlined word will explain what you need to do for each step. Each step includes a worksheet and should translate into a section of your report. Click on the word worksheet and answer the questions.

1.                          Define the problem. (worksheet1)  What is the problem of drinking during pregnancy? Who is affected?

2.                          Gather evidence of the problem (worksheet2) (How do we know that this is a problem?)

3.                          Find some causes for the problem (worksheet3) (Why do people drink during pregnancy?)

4.                          Look at the current policies associated with the problem and list the positive and negative aspects of the polices (worksheet4)

 

When working on your case studies, you will need to think of the best way to deal with the problem so that you can properly counsel the women. In order to do this, look at the following websites and worksheets.

5.                         Come up with NEW policies that you think will help solve the problem.(worksheet5)

 

6.                         Choose the best policy. (worksheet6)

 

Resources:

To write your paper and answer the worksheet questions, consult the following websites. The sites are to be used as resources and are not to be copied from.

 

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fas/

http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/159_530.asp

Information on Fetal Development:

http://www.visembryo.com/baby/index.html

 

WIC:

http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/

 

Fetal Development:

http://www.visembryo.com/baby/index.html

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/teachers/activities/2816_miracle_01.html

http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/1808_2134.asp

 

Evaluation:

 

You will be graded as a group according to the rubric below. Your score for each aspect of the assignment will be summed and you will receive a grade of A-F.

 

CATEGORY

4

3

2

1

Preparedness

Student is completely prepared and has obviously rehearsed.

Student seems pretty prepared but might have needed a couple more rehearsals.

The student is somewhat prepared, but it is clear that rehearsal was lacking.

Student does not seem at all prepared to present.

Content

Shows a full understanding of the topic by explaining how alcohol can affect infant at specific times.

Shows a good understanding of the topic. General explanation of fetal alcohol syndrome.

Shows a good understanding of parts of the topic.

Does not seem to understand the topic very well.

Stays on Topic

Stays on topic all (100%) of the time.

Stays on topic most (99-90%) of the time.

Stays on topic some (89%-75%) of the time.

It was hard to tell what the topic was.

Collaboration with Peers

Almost always listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group. Tries to keep people working well together.

Usually listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group. Does not cause "waves" in the group.

Often listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group but sometimes is not a good team member.

Rarely listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group. Often is not a good team member.

Use of internet resources

Incorporates information from at least 3 websites in interview and counseling.

Incorporates information from at least 2 websites in interview and counseling.

Incorporates information from at least 1website in interview and counseling.

Does not incorporate internet sources

Worksheets

Answers all worksheets fully

Answers all worksheets, some incompletely

Does not answer all worksheets

Unsatisfactory completion of worksheets.

 

Conclusion:

When you complete this webquest, you will be familiar with the problem of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. You will know the causes and effects of FAS and will be able to predict how alcohol can harm a fetus at different stages of gestation.

 

Standards:

 

NYC Performance Standards Science:

S2
The student demonstrates conceptual understanding by using a concept accurately to explain observations and make predictions and by representing the concept in multiple ways (through words, diagrams, graphs or charts, as appropriate). Both aspects of understanding—explaining and representing—are required to meet this standard.

 

S4c Demonstrates an understanding of health.

 

S5a Frames questions to distinguish cause and effect; and identifies or controls variables.

S5c Uses evidence from reliable sources to develop descriptions, explanations and models; and makes appropriate adjustments and improvements.

S5d Proposes, recognizes, analyzes, considers, and critiques alternative explanations; and distinguishes between fact and opinion.

S5e Identifies problems; proposes and implements solutions; and evaluates the accuracy, design and outcomes of investigations.

S5f Works individually and in teams to collect and share information and ideas.

 

S6a Uses technology and tools to observe and measure objects, organisms, and phenomena, directly, indirectly, and remotely, with appropriate consideration of accuracy and precision.

S6d Acquires information from multiple sources.

S6e Recognizes and limits sources of bias in data.

 

Health, Physical Education, and Family and Consumer Sciences:

Standard 2: A Safe and Healthy Environment: Students will acquire the knowledge and ability necessary to create and maintain a safe and healthy environment.

Standard 3: Resource Management: Students will understand and be able to manage their personal and community resources.

 

English Language Arts:

Standard 1:   Language for Information and Understanding

Standard 2:   Language for Literary Response and Expression

Standard 3:   Language for Critical Analysis and Evaluation

 

 

New York State Learning Standards for Math, Science, & Technology:

S4 The Living Environment

The continuity of life is sustained through reproduction and development.