Introduction
Ice Bucket Challenge
What is it? How did it start?
What's the point?!
Click "task" below to begin!
Task
You see this post from one of your friends on Facebook:
Some of your friends have been commenting on the post, arguing about the purpose and effectiveness of the videos. You decide that you are going to find reliable information about ALS and the Ice Bucket Challenge to explain the viral videos to your friend.
Click "Process" below to continue!
Process
Your argument will be comprised of three separate parts. You must compile information for each of these three areas in order to create a solid argument to convince your friend that the ice bucket challenge is useful and has benefited the ALS Association.
Copy and paste the following into a Google Document to begin assembling your argument!
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Choose AT LEAST 2 of the questions listed for each category to include in your argument. Be sure to select the items that YOU think will make the strongest, most convincing argument!
Area 1: Information
- What is ALS?
- How does ALS affect those with the disease?
- Why is ALS often called "Lou Gehrig's Disease"?
- What does the ALS Association do?
- Briefly describe the ways ALS affects the families of those with the disease.
Area 2: Awareness
- Approximately how many people have created ice bucket videos?
- How did making the videos become popular?
- What is the process for becoming nominated to make a video and/or donate?
- What are some additional ways to get involved in the fight against ALS?
Area 3: Fundraising
- How much money did the ALS Association raise last year WITHOUT the Ice Bucket Challenge?
- How does the ALS Association use the money that is donated?
- What other fundraising efforts does the ALS Association do throughout the year?
- How much money has the ALS Association raised since beginning the Ice Bucket Challenge?
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Use these helpful links!
The Ice Bucket Challenge Wikipedia
Relevant News Article - BBC News September 1st
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When you finish answering two questions from each area, continue on to "Evaluation" below!
Evaluation
It's time to create your argument.
Use the information you gathered from each area (2 per area, 6 questions total) to write a "comment" that you would post in response to the original Facebook post (see "task" if you need a refresher).
You can write this comment in the same Google Doc where you were finding the answers to your questions. Use the rubric below to guide yourself in writing your "comment."
| 1: Beginning | 2: Developing | 3: Accomplished | 4: Exceeds Expectations | |
| Area 1: Information | My argument is a list of facts. | My argument involves information about how ALS affects people but it is not clear. | My argument clearly explains what ALS is and how it affects people who have the disease. | My argument clearly explains what ALS is, how it affects people with the disease, and how it affects the families of those with the disease. |
| Area 2: Awareness | My argument describes how to do an Ice Bucket Challenge. | My argument describes the Ice Bucket Challenge, and mentions the reasons for using the Ice Bucket Challenge, but does not explain how it is useful. | My argument clearly explains what the Ice Bucket Challenge is and why it is a useful tool in raising awareness. | My argument clearly explains what the Ice Bucket Challenge is and why it is a useful tool in raising awareness. My argument also thoroughly covers the process from nomination to creation of a video. |
| Area 3: Fundraising | My argument lists the funding raised by the ALS Association. | My argument explains how funds are raised by the ALS Association. | My argument clearly explains how funds are raised by the Ice Bucket Challenge and how they are used by the ALS Association. | My argument clearly explains how funds are raised through the Ice Bucket Challenge, how the funds are used by the ALS Association, and how the funds raised this year compare to the funds raised in past years. |
Conclusion
Using the rubric on the "Evaluation" page, give yourself a score for each of the three categories. Be sure to include a sentence explaining why you gave yourself the score.
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to describe the Ice Bucket Challenge and the reason it is used to raise funds and awareness for the ALS Association. You should be able to explain how the videos became popular and justify their presence on social media.