Teens and
Substance Use
A True Reality Series
A WebQuest for Sixth Grade
Designed by
Mrs. Damren
Introduction:
You
are a journalist for a magazine called
The
Teen Scene. You
have a special column entitled "Teen
Talk".
Your editor has assigned you and an investigative team to research
teenage substance abuse and the impact it has on the user and his/her family.
Task:
Your
responsibility is to investigate teens and the use of substances, what are
the most common substances abused, as well as the physical, emotional, social,
financial, and legal consequences suffered by the user and others (family,
friends) as well. What factors lead teens to use substances in the first place?
Do family genetics play a role? How? Draft a minimum of 15 questions that
address what is listed above.
The
Process:
You will be a member of a three-person investigative team that will find the answers to the questions above. Kidshealth.org is an excellent website for kids your age to find information regarding teen substance use and abuse. Access this website for information.
Your
column should be one to two pages minimum and should include:
- All
15 questions with answers provided for at least 12/15
- A
visually appealing layout
- Writing
that flows-is there an introduction, a question-answer section, a meaningful
conclusion about what you discovered?
- Writing that is free of spelling and grammatical errors
Definitions
to consider providing in your column writing:
*Adolescence
*Substances/Drugs
*Rehabilitation
*Counseling/Therapy
*Communication
*Others
(what you feel your readers will need to know to understand what you are discussing)
Evaluation:
*See the Rubric Guidelines below that will determine grading.
Conclusion:
Through
this project, you will learn that there are many caring people who want to
help teenagers overcome obstacles and to help those who have become substance
dependent. You will learn, that either due to personal obstacles or other
factors, teens are often confused and afraid to ask for help, so they turn
to substances as a means of "getting through"
a difficult time. Ultimately, you will learn,
that substances are NOT a healthy means of dealing with problems and often
lead to more in depth problems that can eventually land them into rehab. Feel
free to check out http://www.teensavers.com/,
a website that offers healthy, productive ways of getting involved in local
and community service projects, rendering a positive self esteem while helping
others and steering teens away from the temptations of substance use that
can prove both detrimental and deadly.
Credit
and References:
KidsHealth
http://www.teen-drug-abuse.org/adolescent-substance-abuse.htm
WebQuest Assessment Rubric
Group
Members:
Assessment
Criteria
Using
a 1-3 scale, work will be assessed based on the following rubric scale:
3-demonstrates
meticulous care and research
2-demonstrates mediocre care and research
1-demonstrated little to no care and research
A.
Individual
work:
1.
Created
and answered 5 questions related to teen substance use and rehabilitation
Score___
2.
Shows
evidence of quality research of at least one website ______
3.
Writing
is free of spelling and grammatical
errors_______
Comments:
B. Group Work
1.
Column
writing is at least 2-3 pages in length
Score______
2.
Writing
reflects quality research by addressing at least 12/15 questions
Score_____
3.
Column
is visually appealing with color and pictures
Score_____
4.
Column
is free of both spelling and grammatical errors-shows evidence of having been
proofread.
Score_____
Comments:
Overall
Totals and Grade Equivalents:
19-21=A
17=B
15=C
13=D
Less
than 13=F