Etched in Sand WebQuest

In this WebQuest, you will be focusing on our national problems in foster care. As a member of a pretend ad agency, you will explore Web pages from parties all across the United States who have a vested interest in young people. Because these are real URL's, not just sites made for schools, the reading levels on them might challenge you at times; that's when you should break out Mr. Webster for assistance!

With your team members, you will then design a complete public service campaign to improve the status of one aspect of the child welfare system in 2018. Your end product will contain 3 distinct elements: a 1-2 minute oral presentation; a formal letter addressing an official stakeholder, which includes your reform proposal; and a full page poster.

Your goal: Read and identify at least 5 major areas of concern with the current set up of foster care and devise solutions for each. Then, convince all the official stakeholders in the process -i.e. courts, politicians, parents, kids - as well as the public at large that your repair is the most effective, efficient, and emotionally sound proposal on the table for saving the future of children in foster care. You will begin your journey on the information superhighway by getting some much needed background information on persuasive techniques and the history of foster care in the 50 states. 

PHASE 1: BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Click on the Web Resources link to review the addresses related to Public Service Announcements, persuasive writing techniques, the history of foster care in America, and current statistics on chid welfare placement.

PHASE 2: LOOKING DEEPER AT THE ISSUE FROM DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES AND DIVIDING UP THE LABOR

In a team of 3-4 students,choose 3 of the following 5 roles: 

* foster child

* foster parent

* judge

* politician

* CSB case worker

Look at all of the links provided in Google Classroom. Skim the titles, subtitles, and descriptions of the virtual articles to get a feel for which electronic source best fits the mask you are wearing in this lesson. For example, if you are examining the topic through the eyes of an adult foster parent, you should definitely print out Mary Callahan's article "A Foster Parent Speaks Out". She has served in this capacity for over ten years in the state of Maine. Be sure to answer the questions that follow each link.

PHASE 3: DEBATING, DISCUSSING, AND REACHING A CONCENSUS AS ONE

Now that you have explored this important subject from a variety of angles, it's time to reconvene as a larger group and share the expertise you have gained by searching with a limited voice. You must all now respond to the original task question as individuals: What is the most pressing problem in foster care today and how can it be corrected? Remember: Each of you will bring a different opinion, area of concern, and answer to the discussion. It's up to you to decide on a course that everyone can live with.

PHASE 4: CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Once you have decided on a single problem of urgency in foster care and a single solution, it's time to construct your persuasive ad campaign. In doing so, think about the creative talents and artistic weaknesses of the members of your group. Use this information to decide who should create the poster, who should write the formal letter, and who should orally present your solution.