WEBQUEST

What is the purpose of having a gun?

Delores Thomas

Walton High School

English 1

 

INTRODUCTION:

Today our society is fascinated with guns. We no longer use guns to hunt for food, now we hunt people. Teenagers have forgotten how to use their fists to settle a dispute. If you succeed in winning a modern day brawl, the other individual wants revenge. This revenge is not by settling their dispute like upstanding men in the boxing arena but like barbarians.

 

Your job today is to investigate the gun laws and policies in the Bronx, New York. You will investigate current policies such as gun registration as well as the purpose of it. You will also look at questions such as:  Are there laws regarding the use of guns within the city limits? What are the penalties for breaking gun laws? If you find that these laws are broken and gun use is prevalent, offer solutions as to what can be done to improve the situation.

 

TASK:

 

You will prepare an oral presentation that discusses the current problem of illegal gun use in the Bronx. You will use Public Policy Analyst to help you organize your finding. You will discuss current laws related to guns as well as your proposed policy solutions.

 

In addition to your presentation you will write a two- part report. The first section will summarize your findings about illegal gun use, current polices, and possible solutions.

The second section will contain the following:

After reading the book “Swallowing Stone”  by Joyce McDonald answer the  following questions:

1.              Discuss how the accidental death of Charlie Ward may be considered manslaughter.

2.              Contrast Michael and Joe. Why does Michael maintain his friendship with Joe when everyone else has written him off? Discuss why Michael allows Joe to talk him into burying the rifle? How does Michael feel betrayed by Joe at different points in the novel?

3.              Describe Amy Ruggerio’s role in the novel. How do people perceive her character? How is she hurt by these perceptions? Why does Joe smash her car? Discuss why Michael is so intrigued by Amy. Talk about Michael’s feelings when he learns that Amy had seen him with the rifle. Why has she kept this a secret? How does she help Michael face the truth?

4.              Both Jenna Ward and Amy Ruggerio harbor guilt for accidents they aren’t responsible for. Discuss how this guilt shapes Amy’s personality. What does Amy teach Jenna about grief? How does guilt create a bond between Jenna and her mother?

5.              Discuss how the death of her father affects the relationship between Jenna and her boyfriend Jason. Why is she so frightened by him? How does the accidental shooting influence Michael’s relationship with his girlfriend, Darcy? Why does he want her to be the one to end their relationship?

6.              What are the stones that Michael MacKenzie must swallow? Discuss what stones he must swallow in the future. What lesson can teenagers learn from Michael’s unfortunate experiences?

 

 

 

 


PROCEDURE:

 

1. In order to give your presentation and write your report you must first complete the following PPA worksheets.

 

Worksheet #1 – Identifying the Problem

Worksheet #2 – Gathering Evidence

Worksheet #3 – Determining Causes

Worksheet #4 – Evaluate Present Policies

Worksheet #5 – Developing New Policies

Worksheet #6 – Choose the Best Solution

These will help you organize information and determine your solutions.

 

2. You must also read “Swallowing Stone” in its entirety.

 

RESOURCES:

www.bradycampaign.org

www.childrendefense.org

www.jointogether.org/gv

www.vpc.org

www.pledge.org

www.nysrpa.org/nyagv.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVALUATION:

Presentation Rubric

 

Evaluating Student Presentations

 

 

Developed by Information Technology Evaluation Services, NC Department of Public Instruction

 

 

1

2

3

4

Total

Organization

Audience cannot understand presentation because there is no sequence of information.

Audience has difficulty following presentation because student jumps around.

Student presents information in logical sequence which audience can follow.

Student presents information in logical, interesting sequence which audience can follow.

 

Subject Knowledge

Student does not have grasp of information; student cannot answer questions about subject. Did not use PPA

Student is uncomfortable with information and is able to answer only rudimentary questions. Only uses some of the PPA steps

Student is at ease with expected answers to all questions, but fails to elaborate. Student is familiar with all steps of PPA

Student demonstrates full knowledge (more than required) by answering all class questions with explanations and elaboration. Student demonstrates full knowledge of PPA

 

Graphics

Student uses superfluous graphics or no graphics

Student occasionally uses graphics that rarely support text and presentation.

Student's graphics relate to text and presentation.

Student's graphics explain and reinforce screen text and presentation.

 

Eye Contact

Student reads all of report with no eye contact.

Student occasionally uses eye contact, but still reads most of report.

Student maintains eye contact most of the time but frequently returns to notes.

Student maintains eye contact with audience, seldom returning to notes.

 

Elocution

Student mumbles, incorrectly pronounces terms, and speaks too quietly for students in the back of class to hear.

Student's voice is low. Student incorrectly pronounces terms. Audience members have difficulty hearing presentation.

Student's voice is clear. Student pronounces most words correctly. Most audience members can hear presentation.

Student uses a clear voice and correct, precise pronunciation of terms so that all audience members can hear presentation.

 

Two Page Report

Student did not summarize and did not answer questions.

Student gave an incomplete summary and partially answered questions.

Students gave a brief summary and answered most questions.

Students gave a complete summary and answered all questions.

 

NEW YORK STATE LEARNING STANDARDS MET:

ENGLISH 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.

Key Ideas

Listening and Reading
Key Idea 1

Listening and reading to acquire information and understanding involves collecting data, facts, and ideas; discovering relationships, concepts, and generalizations; and using knowledge from oral, written, and electronic sources.

Speaking and Writing

Key Idea 2

Speaking and writing to acquire and transmit information requires asking probing and clarifying questions, interpreting information in one's own words, applying information from one context to another, and presenting the information and interpretation clearly, concisely, and comprehensibly.

Communicating and Writing
Key Idea 2 - Alternate

Communicating and writing to acquire and transmit information requires asking questions, applying information from one context to another and presenting the information clearly.

 

HEALTH Learning Standards

Standard 2 - A Safe and Healthy Environment

Students will acquire the knowledge and ability necessary to create and maintain a safe and healthy environment.

 

 

CONCLUSION:      

As a Public Policy Analyst you have learned about guns, gun policies, and solutions for gun related problems.  You also were able to better your writing and presentation skills. After this Web Quest you have hopefully gained a better understanding of the book “Swallowing Stone” by Joyce McDonald and will use this information to make wise decisions in your life.