Introduction
As you complete this WebQuest, you will discover the themes and ideas present in the novel 19 Minutes. The goal of this assignment to dive deeper into the topics that are portrayed in this book to gain further understanding of the plot and what lies within it.
Task
You will complete a series of readings and activities during this quest to provide information on gun violence, mental illness, and other surrounding topics. At the end you will complete a final project to test your knowledge of the book and the ideas presented to you as you read.
Process
Task 1:
- First, read this article regarding the issue of gun violence in America- https://everytownresearch.org/gun-violence-america/
- Watch this video-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jvLldeXryQ
- In the book, the issue of gun violence is highly prominent. Explain your views on gun violence, particularly in school systems, using data and information from the sources provided.
- What do you believe motivates acts of gun violence to occur? Relate your answer to the events occurring in the book as you read.
Task 2:
- As you read, it can be seen that one of the main characters, Peter Houghton, suffers from severe depression and other mental issues. Watch this video about a teenagers personal experience with mental illness.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLOagmZTWmM -
1. Why do you believe teens such as Peter Houghton suffer from mental illness.
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2. Make a 1-2 minute FlipGrid video discussing what you think can be done to help victims of mental illness, especially in a school setting.
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Task 3:
- As you read the book, different characters suffer from many different issues after the shooting takes place. Peters mom, Lacy Houghton, offers an interesting point of view as the shooters mother. Watch this video that offers a similar viewpoint-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXlnrFpCu0c 1. How do these contrasting viewpoints help you understand the book in a better way?
Task 4- FINAL PROJECT
Read the following articles containing differing opinions on gun safety- https://thehill.com/opinion/criminal-justice/375511-the-second-amendment-is-a-human-right-ignorance-toward-it-is and
- Formulate a debate with a claim, evidence, and counterclaim about your opinion on gun safety in America.
Evaluation
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kyNPb7UQMs4trRTPeeYc6uZggXOl78Avsj-FMGkORMc/edit
Link to evaluation of the final project above.
Conclusion
Good job! You've completed the WebQuest for the novel 19 minutes. I hope you allowed yourself to dig deeper into the themes and ideas that are presented in the story and I hope you enjoyed the book. Now that you know how to evaluate what lies beyond the pages of a book, I hope you carry these skills with you as you continue reading in the future. Happy reading!
Credits
Teacher Page
Welcome to my teacher page for 19 Minutes! I tried to create a WebQuest that would allow for thoughtful discussion. As this book deals with issues of contemporary life, I hope you come to the realization that we all deal with similar situations. It's up to us to provoke discussion about these issues in order to move forward.