WebQuest

Introduction

Water makes up over 70% of the Earth’s surface and is undoubtedly the most precious natural resource that exists on our planet. Without water life on Earth would not exist, as it is essential for the survival of all life on our planet.

Although we recognize the importance of water to the survival of life on Earth we disregard this fact by polluting our rivers, lakes, streams and oceans. Our waterways have become polluted to the point where the water is not safe for recreational purposes, such as swimming, fishing and boating! Finally, our drinking water has become polluted in some areas and is no longer safe to drink, threatening our own survival.

In order to combat water pollution, we must understand the problems and become part of the solution.

Task

You are on a team at a famous advertising agency that has been given the very important assignment of creating an advertising campaign to help prevent water pollution. This is an urgent campaign! It is critical that you find a way to convince people that it is important to protect our rivers, and to give them a clear idea of what they can do to help.

Each team will create an advertising poster to convince people of the importance of preventing water pollution, and to give them specific information about how they can help protect our rivers.

The Process:

1. You will be assigned to a team of 3 students. The following worksheets will assist you in the development of and presenting your work. Each link below will take you to the web site of Syracuse University, where you will find extended explanation for the terms:

(1) Define the problem

(2) Gather evidence

(3) Identify causes

(4) Evaluate a policy

(5) Develop solutions

(6) Select best solution

2. Each team member picks a role to play.
Note: Remember every team member contributes to each part of the ad campaign; all team members must work together and be in full agreement on all decisions. Your special role is to make sure everyone focuses on their area of expertise and agrees to the final decision.

3. Each team member picks a role to play.
Note: Remember every team member contributes to each part of the ad campaign; all team members must work together and be in full agreement on all decisions. Your special role is to make sure everyone focuses on your area of expertise and agrees to the final decision.

Role #1: Art Director Responsible for the artwork of the poster.
(For more information on how to be an Art Director click here.)

Role #2: Copy Writer
Responsible for writing the slogan, or words, that will appear on the poster.
(For more information on how to be a Copy Writer click here.)

Role #3: River Scientist
Responsible for ensuring that facts about river pollution are accurate, that ideas about how to protect the river are helpful.

(For more research information:
about endangered rivers click here,
about Atlantic Salmon click here,
about water pollution click here,
about pesticides click here,
about people who live in cities click here,
about creek cleanups click here)

4. As a team, you will first decide:
* Your Audience: Who is your poster for? Students like you? People who live in the city? People who live by the river?
* Your Distribution: Where will your poster be shown?

5. Next, together your team will create:
* Your Slogan: A simple and memorable writing about the importance of protecting our rivers.
* Your Poster: Powerful artwork that convinces your audience of the importance of protecting our rivers.
* Your Message: Clear steps as to what your audience can do to help, and where to go for more information about how to help.

Evaluation

Final Project

Beginning

Developing

Accomplished

Exemplary

Score

Understanding of Sources of Water Pollution

Content of final project reflects no understanding of the preventive measures for water pollution.

Content of either the advertising campaign or the oral presentation reflects understanding of preventive measures for water pollution.

Content of both the advertising and the oral presentation reflect understanding of sources of water pollution and preventive measures.

Content of both the advertising campaign and the oral presentation reflect extensive understanding of sources of water pollution and preventive measures.

Innovation and Creativity
in Advertising
Design and Concept

Project incomplete or demonstrates minimal effort in design and presentation.

Of the design and concept, one is developed and one is not.

Demonstrates some creativity in design and concept.

Demonstrates excellence in creativity and design.

Skilled Use of Technology

Little or no use of technology in design of advertising campaign.

Demonstrates minimal understanding of technological resources available.

Demonstrates good use of available technology resoucres.

Demonstrates excellent use of several components of technology resources.

Collaboration

Taking Responsibility

Does not perform any duties assigned by team, and/or always relies on other to do work.

Rarely does assigned work, and/or needs frequent reminders.

Performs nearly all assigned work, and rarely needs reminding.

Performs all assigned duties without being reminded.

Communication with Teammates

Usually talking and/or arguing with teammates.

Often doing most of the talking, and/or sometimes arguing.

Rarely argues; listens but sometimes talks too much.

Listens and speaks a fair amount; never argues with teammates.

Making Fair Decisions

Usually wants to have things their way.

Often sides with friends instead of considering all views.

Usually considers all views.

Always helps team to reach fair decisions.

Each group will receive a grade for their final project.
Each student will receive an individual grade for his or her collaboration within the team.

The rubric below details how your final project and collaboration will be evaluated.

Standards

English Language Arts

Standard 1 - Language for Information and Understanding

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 - Language for Literary Response and Expression

Students will read, write, listen, and speak for literary expression - Students will read and listen to oral, written, and electronically produced texts and performances, 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 - Language for Critical Analysis and Evaluation

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.