COMMUNITY-MINDED

A WebQuest

created by Delcena Sledge for Grades 7- 8

INTRODUCTION:• HELP! Your community

needs you. Things are falling apart. Garbage is everywhere, crime has risen, the schools have reported increased cutting and drop out rates. You have been chosen to be part of a community task force to find out what the problem is and to find solutions.

THE TASK• Each group (of four) will focus on

issues which effects the quality of life in many major cities.

• Your group’s task is to evaluate the points which are contributing to problems in specific areas.

• Groups will create a graphic organizer to show data and cause/effect. (choose data statistics from other cities to create the data for your imaginary city. *Remember to Name Your city.*

• Groups will brainstorm to find solutions and create a PowerPoint presentation to share their resolutions.

THE PROCESS• Each group will have a member representing each

department.• Each Team will research statistics for their area • Use a graphic organizer to show cause/effect• You will have two days to research your data and

compile information, reflect findings in a graph. find correlations.

• You will have one day to compare, analyze and discuss solutions to make a better community.

• The Final presentation will be presented in powerpoint

Police

Civics Sanitation Education

PROCESS

• Police Member: You will look at the crime statistics for your city.

• Environmental Member: You will look at environmental factors; pollution, air quality, sanitation and health issues

• Education Member: You will research drop out/graduation rates, gang activity, after school resources.

• Civics Member: You will look at political issues and how the number of voters or active community members can make a difference.

• **During the brainstorm session discuss how these problems overlap. Look at cause/effect and think about realistic solutions.**

EVALUATION

• The Community Minded Rubrics will assess the elements and quality of your work.

• It is important that your teams compile and interpret research data. Groups must apply findings within a graph, graphic organizer to show cause/effect and finally a formal presentation of solutions for your city.

• Your PowerPoint/oral presentation will be presented to an audience. Your group should practice your presentation. Be persuasive! All members should speak. Use graph and organizer as visuals during your presentation.

• Remember, you're solutions should make a difference to your community.

RUBRICS

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1

Focus on the task Consistently stays focused on the task and what needs to be done. Very self-directed.

Focuses on the task and what needs to be done most of the time. Other group members can count on this person.

Focuses on the task and what needs to be done some of the time. Other group members must sometimes nag, prod, and remind to keep this person on-task.

Rarely focuses on the task and what needs to be done. Lets others do the work.

Quality of Work Provides work of the highest quality.

Provides high quality work.

Provides work that occasionally needs to be checked/redone by other group members to ensure quality.

Provides work that usually needs to be checked/redone by others to ensure quality.

Problem-solving Actively looks for and suggests solutions to problems.

Refines solutions suggested by others.

Does not suggest or refine solutions, but is willing to try out solutions suggested by others.

Does not try to solve problems or help others solve problems. Lets others do the work.

Attitude Never is publicly critical of the project or the work of others. Always has a positive attitude about the task(s).

Rarely is publicly critical of the project or the work of others. Often has a positive attitude about the task(s).

Occasionally is publicly critical of the project or the work of other members of the group. Usually has a positive attitude about the task(s).

Often is publicly critical of the project or the work of other members of the group. Often has a negative attitude about the task(s).

Research Consistently uses internet resources effectively to collect appropriate data

Almost always uses data internet resources to effectively collect appropriate data

No consistent connection between Internet resources/data and project.

Absence of supportive data for project

CONCLUSION • No man is an island! Its interesting how the quality of life in a community can be effected by so many different elements:

• Data can reflect what is happening in a given situation. Tracking and analyzing data can assist in solving many problems.

TEACHER’S PAGE• This WebQuest is for students grade 7 or higher. It

develops critical thinking, analyzing, interpretation of data, collaboration, presentation and problem solving skills.

• Students collaborate as a task team in specific departments; such as police, education, civics and environment to create real world solutions.

• Students will be able to compile and analyze data• Use data to make real world connections• Understand cause/effect in relations to environment.• Communicate effectively• Problem solve and create reasonable solutions. • Create graphs and organizational charts to reflect data

TEACHER RESOURCE• Your community is in trouble. Students will

analyze data from a major city. They will brainstorm and form solutions to increase the quality of life and change future city statistics.

• Students will look at four areas of concern; police, environment/sanitation, civics and education.

• Through oral or PowerPoint presentations, students will present their findings and solutions.

• Time: five days (45 min. periods per day).

TEACHER’S PAGE• English Language Arts Standard • 1:   Language for Information and Understanding• Students will listen, speak, read, and write 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 that follows the accepted conventions of the English language to acquire, interpret, apply, and transmit information.

• Mathematics• Standard 1:    Analysis, Inquiry, and Design• Students will use mathematical analysis, scientific inquiry, and

engineering design, as appropriate, to pose questions, seek answers, and develop solutions.

CREDITS

• Rubistar4teachers• http://bensguide.gpo.gov• US Environmental Protection Agency• US Census Bureau• United States FBI• Microsoft Clip Art