Digging Deeper Holes
Designed by Ann Dutton
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page Hi, I'm Stanley. You might remember me and my friend Zero from Camp Green Lake. We had some good times...well, not really, but we learned a lot of things during our adventures there. When the Warden asked us to dig holes all over the lake bed, we knew that we were looking for something, but we weren't surewhat! In this WebQuest, Zero and I want YOU to dig some deeper holes. Wait, wait- put the shovel down! We don't want your teachers to get mad at you! We want you to take some of the lessons in the book and examine them further using the resources on this page and your own brain! So have fun and learn something, okay? And WATCH OUT FOR THE YELLOW SPOTTED LIZARDS!
The Task Hi, I'm Zero. Even though I know I'm not nothin' now, people still call me by my old nickname. That's okay. Anyway, you will be working with one other person on this WebQuest. Make sure you can depend on each other, like Stanley and I did on God's Thumb. Stanley said earlier you would be taking some of the themes and lessons in the book and using our brain to expand them. So here they are:
 
The Process Zero and I would like to welcome you to the process of digging deeper holes. You will dig three holes in all. Don't forget to depend on your partner! From now on, the tallest of you two will be Partner 1. The shortest of you two will be called Partner 2. Let's start digging our hole about homelessness!
Hole #1: Homelessness- find out about this problem in your area and compile a portfolio. 1. Partner 1 will "drive" the computer for this task. Partner 2 will record what is found on paper. 2. Go here to find general facts on the homeless. These should be placed in the introduction of your portfolio. Choose what you both feel are the most important facts. 3. Go here to find general facts on homeless youth and here to find facts on homeless youth education. These will be placed in the second part of your portfolio entitled "Homeless Youth." Again, choose what you feel are the most important facts. 4. If you live in Phoenix, go here to find out about homelessness in this area. Scroll down to the part that is called "Homeless Population." If you are not in Phoenix, statistics and resources on local homlessness take a little patience to find. They are not all in one place. Use a search engine like Google to find stats in your area. Type the keywords "(city) homeless statistics." Once you find your information, place it in the third part of your portfolio entitled "Local Statistics." 5. Go here to find ways that kids can help the homeless. Place this in the last part of your portfolio entitled "Ways to Help." Choose the ideas that seem the most relevant to you and your partner. 6. When you make your portfolio, be as creative as you want! Include pictures, graphs, and illustrations. Of course, make sure you include all the sections mentioned above (Introduction, Homeless Youth, Local Statistics, and Ways to Help). 7. Cover your portfolio with two pages of cardstock or construction paper and turn in to your teacher. Whew! That was a BIG hole! Are you ready for the next one? Let's Go! Better get busy 'cause The Warden has her eye on you!
Hole #2: Racism- find out about your fellow students' attitudes by creating a survey administering it, and reporting the results. 1. Partner 2 will "drive" the computer for this task. Partner 1 will record what is found on paper. 2. Go here and here for some background information on racism. Write down what you think is most important. 3. Go here for information on designing a survey. 4. Create your survey. It can be typed or neatly printed. It must have at least ten questions. When you are done, give it to your teacher for approval and photocopying. Distribute the survey to ten people at school (teachers or kids). 5. Compile the results of your survey. You can print or neatly type the results or use a spreadsheet program. The best way to do this is to analyze each question separately. For example, you can say "8 out of 10 said that racism is a problem on campus, which is 80%." 6. Put the results of your survey and all ten copies distributed in a folder and turn in to your teacher. Oh boy! These holes are makin' me tired, and I'm not even doing the work! But you have to finish, just like we did at Camp Green Lake. You don't want Mr. Sir or Mom getting mad at you! Get to digging!
Hole #3: Juvenile Corrections- explore this issue and write a letter to a government official suggesting changes or improvements. 1. Partner 1 will "drive" the computer for this task. Partner 2 will record what is found on paper. 2. Go here for information on juvenile corrections. Write down what you think are the most important facts. 3. Go here for information on juvenile corrections in Arizona. To find information for another state, use a search engine such as Google and type in the keywords "(state) juvenile corrections." Write down what you think is the most important. 4. Go here for information on your state government officials. Use your zip code to find your representative. Write down the name and address of your representative. If you want to write to more than one official, you may. 5. Brainstorm any changes or improvements you would make to your area's juvenile corrections system. Write them down in a list. 5. Compose your letter. Make sure you include at least two facts you have learned about juvenile corrections and at least one proposed change. Follow this example for composing your letter. Type or print your letter neatly. Include your address. Address an envelope to the government official. 6. Give the
letter in the envelope (unsealed) to your teacher for approval. Your
teacher will mail the letter.
Okay! You are done digging your holes! But you have one more task before you can go to the wreck room. Please answer the following questions and turn this in to your teacher. Each partner needs to do his/her own work here. 1. What was your favorite part of the WebQuest? What was your least favorite part? 2. What was the most surprising thing you learned during the WebQuest? 3. Choose one
of the "holes" above. Write down the process of completing the assignment,
step by step. Was there anything you would change?
That's it! Time to go to the wreck room!
Evaluation This grade will reflect
the work that both you and your partner do together. So rely on each
other, okay? The only part that you are responsible for on your own
is the evaluation of your work and the process.
Conclusion We hope you had fun doing this WebQuest with us! Stop by our house any time for a free sample of Sploosh and Sweet Feet! Don't let the yellow spotted lizards get you on the way out! Sincerely, Stanley Yelnats and Hector Zeroni
Credits & References The format of this webquest (characters as narrators, the metaphor of holes, and pictures) is based on Tresha Layne's excellent WebQuest on the same book. National Coalition for the Homeless Department of Housing and Urban Development Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections Office of Juvenile Justice and Deliquency Prevention |
