Teacher+Materials

=TEACHER MATERIALS =

====This webquest was created for students grade 9-12 and could be used in a social studies, government or civics classroom. It is intended to increase student awareness of political issues while promoting their political efficacy. This webquest was designed as an inquiry process and students should be given free reign to decide what issue they want to research for the highest levels of engagement and interest in the project.====

TIPS:

====Because of the politically charged world that we live in, some student may choose to research issues that other students or their families might object to. If you see this being an issue in your classroom, it may be prudent to send letters home before students begin the webquest.====

====Depending on the internet filter you have at your school, you may not be able to access some of the resources listed in this webquest. Opposing Viewpoints should be available (if your school subscribes to it) and provides a variety of resources, this might be sufficient for your student's research. The news sites and politician's websites are more likely to be blocked. You may consider asking your district to unblock these sites. This can take a couple of weeks so plan ahead.====

====If you want to expand this project, consider adding a debate element or have students create videos or presentations to introduce their topic to the class. It may be interesting to conduct a poll before and after the presentations so that students can see if their arguments made a difference in the opinions of their classmates.====

This webquest was created using standards from Common Core and also integrates standards from the AASL.
COMMON CORE STANDARDS


 * ====CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.9-10.6 Compare the point of view of two or more authors for how they treat the same or similar topics, including which details they include and emphasize in their respective accounts.====
 * ====CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.9-10.8 Assess the extent to which the reasoning and evidence in a text support the author’s claims.====
 * ====CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.9-10.9 Compare and contrast treatments of the same topic in several primary and secondary sources.====


 * ====CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9-10.1a Introduce precise claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that establishes clear relationships among the claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.====
 * ====CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9-10.1b Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly, supplying data and evidence for each while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both claim(s) and counterclaims in a discipline-appropriate form and in a manner that anticipates the audience’s knowledge level and concerns.====
 * ====CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9-10.1d Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing.====
 * ====CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9-10.2b Develop the topic with well-chosen, relevant, and sufficient facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples appropriate to the audience’s knowledge of the topic.====
 * ====CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9-10.2d Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to manage the complexity of the topic and convey a style appropriate to the discipline and context as well as to the expertise of likely readers.====
 * ====CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9-10.7 Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.====
 * ====CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9-10.8 Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the usefulness of each source in answering the research question; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.====


 * ====CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.6 Evaluate authors’ differing points of view on the same historical event or issue by assessing the authors’ claims, reasoning, and evidence.====
 * ====CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, as well as in words) in order to address a question or solve a problem.====
 * ====CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.8 Evaluate an author’s premises, claims, and evidence by corroborating or challenging them with other information.====
 * ====CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.9 Integrate information from diverse sources, both primary and secondary, into a coherent understanding of an idea or event, noting discrepancies among sources.====


 * ====CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.11-12.1a Introduce precise, knowledgeable claim(s), establish the significance of the claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that logically sequences the claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.====
 * ====CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.11-12.1b Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly and thoroughly, supplying the most relevant data and evidence for each while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both claim(s) and counterclaims in a discipline-appropriate form that anticipates the audience’s knowledge level, concerns, values, and possible biases.====
 * ====CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.11-12.1c Use words, phrases, and clauses as well as varied syntax to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships between claim(s) and reasons, between reasons and evidence, and between claim(s) and counterclaims.====
 * ====CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.11-12.1d Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing.====
 * ====CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.11-12.2b Develop the topic thoroughly by selecting the most significant and relevant facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples appropriate to the audience’s knowledge of the topic.====
 * ====CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.11-12.2d Use precise language, domain-specific vocabulary and techniques such as metaphor, simile, and analogy to manage the complexity of the topic; convey a knowledgeable stance in a style that responds to the discipline and context as well as to the expertise of likely readers.====
 * ====CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.11-12.7 Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.====
 * ====CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.11-12.8 Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the strengths and limitations of each source in terms of the specific task, purpose, and audience; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and overreliance on any one source and following a standard format for citation.====

AASL STANDARDS


 * ====1.1.1 Follow an inquiry based process in seeking knowledge in curricular subjects, and make the real world connection for using this process in own life.====
 * ====1.1.2 Use prior and background knowledge as context for new learning.====
 * ====1.1.5 Evaluate information found in selected sources on the basis of accuracy, validity, appropriateness for needs, importance, and social and cultural context.====
 * ====1.1.7 Make sense of information gathered from diverse sources by identifying misconceptions, main and supporting ideas, conflicting information, and point of view or bias.====
 * ====1.3.2 Seek divergent perspectives during information gathering and assessment.====
 * ====2.3.1 Connect understanding to the real world.====
 * ====3.3.1 Solicit and respect diverse perspectives while searching for information, collaborating with others, and participating as a member of the community.====
 * ====3.3.2 Respect the differing interests and experiences of others, and seek a variety of viewpoints.====
 * ====3.3.4 Create products that apply to authentic, real-world contexts.====
 * ====4.4.1 Identify own areas of interest.====
 * ====4.4.2 Recognize the limits of own personal knowledge.====