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Homelessness in America

A WebQuest to accompany Can’t Get There From Here

by Todd Strasser

By Debby Merino

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Todd Strasser’s Can’t Get There From Here tells the stories of several homeless teens living in NYC. Teenage children comprise a large, and often voiceless population among the homeless in America.

Completing this WebQuest will open your eyes to a very serious problem, and hopefully

inspire you to try to help.

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TaskYou will be assigned a group and a city to research. You will find statistics about homelessness in your assigned city, and respond to worksheet questions. Finally, you will use what you’ve learned to create a Public Service Announcement to help raise awareness.

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Process(Page 1)

You have your group. You’ve been assigned a city.Now what?

1.Click on the corresponding link on the “Resources” page2.Gather information about the homeless problem in that city3.Respond to the following questions:

• What is the homeless population in your city?• What percentage of that population is male? Female?

Under 18 years old?• Were there any statistics available for drug use of the

homeless population?• How has that number changed in the last ten years?• What community and social organizations are in place to

help the homeless population?• How do you think the problem in this city might be

improved?

4.Use the information to create a PSA for your city.What’s a PSA?

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What is a PSA?•A PSA is a Public Service Announcement. It is an advertisement intended to let people know more about a problem in the community, and to try to help.

Click below to view some examples of PSA’s, both video and print.

•Sample #1•Sample #2

Create a PSAYour group will create a PSA – either video or print. Each member in your groups will take on one of the following jobs:

• Writer: write the script/copy • Director/Photographer: direct and film• Actor/Model: Perform or pose• Prop/Stage design: Organize and gather props

PSA Requirements• Videos must be 30-45 seconds• Print ads must be photographed• All ads must two relevant incorporate statistics from

research• All ads must have a memorable and persuasive slogan

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How did I do?

Print, complete, and submit a copy of the self-evaluation sheet. This must be submitted when you present your project/PSA.

This self-assessment will help me grade you, and also help me grade your peers. Be fair and honest.

 Name: _____________________________________________

Group Members:  ___________________________________________________________________

Researched City:  ______________________________________________________

My role in group work: ________________________________________________________________________________

I contributed _______________________________________________ to my group’s project.

I worked well with my group.     Yes No

I gave my best effort. Yes No

If I was to grade my performance on this assignment, I would give myself  a(n)_______________

 

 

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ResourcesThe following sites are national sites for homelessness. They include national statistics and resources for help. They also have links to local agencies.

•National Alliance to End Homelessness •National Coalition for the Homeless The following list includes homeless sites for specific cities. They include health agencies, shelter information, and homeless statistics. Click on the city your group is researching.

•New York•Chicago•Los Angeles•Houston•Miami•Seattle•Philadelphia•Phoenix

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AssessmentGroup Work Rubric

CATEGORY 5 3 1 0

Research/Statistical Data

Students include 4 or more high-quality examples or pieces of data to support their campaign.

Students include at least 3 high-quality examples or pieces of data to support their campaign.

Students include at least 2 high-quality examples or pieces of data to support their campaign.

Students include fewer than 2 high-quality examples or pieces of data to support their campaign.

Campaign/Product

Students create an original, accurate and interesting product that adequately addresses the issue.

Students create an accurate product that adequately addresses the issue.

Students create an accurate product but it does not adequately address the issue.

The product is not accurate.

Statistical Reference

Students include at least 2 relevant and high quality statistics.

Students include 2 statistics, but with questionable relevance

Students include 1 statistic, but is of questionable quality.

Students include no statistics

PSA - Quality Finished PSA is 30-45 seconds or a clear, color print ad. Ad is visually appealing.

Finished product does not meet minimum requirements. Ad is somewhat visually appealing.

Finished product meets minimum requirements, but ad is not visually appealing.

Finished product does not meet minimum requirements. Ad is not visually appealing.

Individual Rubric

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AssessmentIndividual Work Rubric

CATEGORY 5 3 1 0

Contributions Routinely provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. A definite leader who contributes a lot of effort.

Usually provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. A strong group member who tries hard!

Sometimes provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. A satisfactory group member who does what is required.

Rarely provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. May refuse to participate.

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.

Preparedness Brings needed materials to class and is always ready to work.

Almost always brings needed materials to class and is ready to work.

Almost always brings needed materials but sometimes needs to settle down and get to work

Often forgets needed materials or is rarely ready to get to work.

Working with Others

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

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

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

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

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Conclusion

Homelessness really is a larger problem than most of us realize.

If you would like to find out more about homeless issues in your area, and perhaps find ways to help, click on the links below.

Homeless Prevention in Monroe County, PA

PA Homeless Children Initiative

US Dept. of Housing & Public Development

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Teacher’s PageIntroduction

This WebQuest was created to accompany the young adult novel Can’t Get There From Here by Todd Strasser.

This WebQuest is a group assignment and would work well with all levels of learners.

Teacher’s PageLearners

This WebQuest is intended for 10th grade students.

Objectives:Students will be able to:

• Organize and summarize research• Respond to worksheet questions• Create slogan for ad campaign• Participate in creation of group project• Evaluate their performance

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Teacher’s PageStandards

Pennsylvania State Standards for Reading & Writing

1.1 Learning to Read Independently• Apply Comprehension & Interpretation Skills

1.2 Reading Critically in All Content Areas• Differentiate Detail• Examine Analysis & Evaluation

1.4 Types of Writing• Analyze & Create Persuasive

1.5 Quality of Writing• Write w/ Sharp Distinct Focus• Write Using Well-developed content

1.6 Speaking & Listening• Listen to Others• Participate in Group Presentations

1.8 Research• Locate Information• Organize Main Ideas• Summarize Main Ideas• Present Main Ideas

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Teacher’s PageProcedures

Procedures:• Students are divided into groups• Anticipatory set: discuss homelessness, KWL

chart on homelessness• Students complete WebQuest• Students present completed PSA’s• Closure: Discussion – Is there a homeless

problem in your community? What can you do to help?

Assessment:• Students will be graded as per WebQuest

rubrics• Students will earn two grades

• Individual work• Group work

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Materials:• Computer lab with Internet access

Sources:Rubric was created using Rubistar:

• http://rubistar.4teachers.org

WebQuest references :• http://webquest.org/search/

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PageCredits:

This course was created with the help and guidance of George Smith, Professor-Fresno Pacific University. It was inspired by my students who always want to learn as long as it’s fun.