Scrooge for Mayor

Introduction:
 
 

With a new attitude towards life Scrooge has decided to run for mayor of London.  In light of his disturbing visits with three spirits, he wants to change the world.

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Task:

With a new attitude towards life Scrooge has decided to run for mayor of London.  In light of his disturbing visits with three spirits, he wants to change the world. Your class has been enlisted to investigate a list of important issues for Scrooge's campaign.  To help the common people understand his ideas Scrooge must educate the public about his experiences and reasons for seeking reform.  The people must see what has been and what can be.  By looking at various aspects of life illustrated in "A Christmas Carol" you will develop Scrooge's campaign points and outline strategies for campaigning.  As a team of campaign managers you will break into six special areas for research.

The areas are:

• Labor Issues
• Education Issues
• Industry Issues
• Quality of Life
• Health Issues
• Gender Issues

In this research you will need to keep in mind the following focus questions:

• What is the life of the the townspeople in London like?
• What are Scrooge's new viewpoints on daily life in London?
• How will Scrooge's new viewpoints on daily life change his

opinions on politic policy in London?
• What solutions and programs will Scrooge support in his run for mayor?

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The Process:

This is a four step process.  Your teacher  will act as a guide and give you specific daily instructions.  As you work each day you will focus on one of the following steps:

• Forming Teams  click here for more information
• Research & Work Time click here for more information
• Team Meetings  click here for more information
• Presentation  click here for more information

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Forming Teams

You and your classmates must form four different campaign teams.  Each team will be assigned one of the four research topics that Scrooge has requested.  Within each team there are four distinct roles.

Team Manager:
 

  Scrooge is counting on you to help bring him to the forefront of this campaign.  You will help focus the work of your team.  Keep a daily log of the status of your research - what you need to know and what you have found out - (this will be submitted to the teacher at the end of the project and will be a large part of your final grade).  Finally, and probably most importantly, you must plan and conduct your teams strategy meetings.  These meetings will be critical in developing your campaign strategies from your research.  Because each of your fellow teammates has a different research focus, your role is critical to keeping the communication flowing.

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Current Situation Research Analyst:
 

Scrooge is counting on your ability to uncover information and tell it like it is.  You've been asked to focus on the current situation of your topic.  Check both internet and library resources to find information about life in this area during the 1840's.  You will need to focus on the conditions in London because this is the city in which Scrooge will be launching his mayoral campaign.  As you are well aware, political candidates are judged by their knowledge of current issues and events.  Your job is to make both Scrooge and your teammates well informed on your issue.  Take notes and submit them to your Team manager daily.  As an expert researcher you realize the importance of keeping track of your resources.  Use the resource log to track your search.

Public Relations: Rational for Change
 

Scrooge is counting on your ability to persuade people and compel them to change.  You've been asked to focus on the rationale for change in your topic area.  You will need to keep in continual communication with your teammates as you look for ways to compel the people of London to support your reform plan..  You will need to focus on the conditions in "A Christmas Carol" as they relate to your issue of study. As you are well aware politicians need to make their policies personal by telling stories or attaching a face to the issue. You have the critical role of finding these compelling stories.  Once your exhausted the novel as a resource you may want to find other personal anecdotes which can be used in your campaign.  Take notes and submit them to your Team manager daily.  As an expert researcher you realize the importance of keeping track of your resources.  Use the resource log to track your search.
 
 

Click here for the resource report form.
Click here for the notes form.

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Scrooge is counting on your ability to solve the critical issues of his campaign.  You've been asked to focus on possible solutions and ideas for reform in the area your team has been assigned.  You will need to keep in continual communication with your teammates as they will keep you informed of the issues and concerns they uncover in their research.  During team planning meetings your team manager will expect you to have many possible solution to offer.  Understand that as a group you will be narrowing this list.  Once your teammates have helped you select a reform proposal to run with, begin developing the details of this plan.  You may want to anticipate questions the public and other candidates will have about your plan   As you are well aware, political candidates are judges by the merits of their ideas and the thoroughness of their plans..  Your job is to make both Scrooge and your teammates look good.  Take notes and submit them to your Team manager daily.  Keep track of all your ideas.  Use this Resource Log. You may need to refer back to it later.

You will need to decide how you will use your time each day. Some of these decisions will be dictated by your role within your group.  Some of these decisions will be dictated by the Team Manager to make best use of everyone's time and talent. Some of these decisions will be dictated by your teacher.  However, you should be able to answer the following questions at any time during this project:

Content 24 pts.	Logic 30 pts.	Accuracy 32 pts.	Quality 10 pts.	Creativity 4 pts.
Title matches topic and proposal 3pts Illustrations or Pictures match topic and proposal 4pts Message relates to topic and proposal 6pts More than two  references to A Christmas Carol 6pts Sources listed on back of poster (at least 5) 5pts	Proposals are realistic and use specific data found in research 18pts Proposal is explained clearly (poster stands alone) 6pts Proposal is specific to topic 6pts	Historically Accurate 16pts No spelling errors 4pts Evidence of editing 3pts Grammatically correct 4pts Sources are correctly cited 5 pts	Attractive Product 2pts Good use of color 2pts Follows principles of design (balance, flow, historical accuracy) 2pts Title can be read from 5 ft away 1pt Legible and clear 2pts Typed information 1pt	Unique ideas expressed 2pts  Poster is different from other posters 2pts

 

Content 24 pts	Logic 30 pts	Accuracy 32 pts	Quality 10 pts	Creativity 4 pts
Title matches topic and proposal 3pts Illustrations or Pictures match topic and proposal 4pts Message relates to topic and proposal 6pts More than two  references to A Christmas Carol 6pts Sources listed on back of poster (at least 5) 5pts	Proposals are realistic and use specific data found in research 18pts Proposal is explained clearly (pamphlet stands alone) 6pts Proposal is specific to topic 6pts	Historically Accurate 16pts No spelling errors 4pts Evidence of editing 3pts Grammatically correct 4pts Sources are correctly cited 5 pts	Attractive Product 2pts Good use of color 2pts Follows principles of design (balance, flow, historical accuracy) 2pts Legible and clear 2pts Typed information 2pt	Unique ideas expressed 2pts  Pamphlet is different from other pamphlets 2pts

Introduction:

This WebQuest was originally developed as part of the requirements for the Aurora university / Kane County (IL) Regional Office of Education course "Infusing Engaged Learning with Technology using WebQuests; OEDS581-523", August 2-6, 1999,  under the guidance of instructors Brian Booth and Richard Levine. For the original version please contact Amy Osborne Hurlock.

In this WebQuest students will become campaign managers for Scrooge as he embarks on a mission to become Mayor of London and change the lives of the citizens forever.  Students will focus specifically on four areas of life in London (Labor, Education, Industrialization, and Quality of Life) as they develop their campaign proposals for Mr. Scrooge.  Students will work in groups of four and need to have access to computers for research from time to time.  Good luck and have fun.

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Content Area and Grade Level:

 

This unit was specifically designed to be used with a group of gifted and talented 7th grade students.  This unit was created to be team taught by a team of teachers teaching language arts/English, social studies, reading and science.  This lesson can easily be adapted to span grades 6 + by varying expectations and evaluation.

 
 

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Illinois State Standards Addressed: click for complete standards web site

Applications of Learning  - Students apply five cross-disciplinary abilities as they do this unit:
—Solving Problems
—Communicating
—Using Technology
—Working on Teams
—Making Connections
 

Language Arts  click here for chart

STATE GOAL 1: Read with understanding and fluency.

    Why This Goal Is Important:
Reading is essential. It is the process by which people gain information and ideas from books, newspapers, manuals, letters, contracts, advertisements and a host of other materials. Using strategies for constructing meaning before, during and after reading will help students connect what they read now with what they have learned in the past. Students who read well and widely build a strong foundation for learning in all areas of life.
 
 

Vocabulary

Reading

Comprehension

STATE GOAL 2: Read and understand literature representative of various societies, eras and ideas.

Why This Goal Is Important:
Literature transmits ideas, reflects societies and eras and expresses the human imagination. It brings understanding, enrichment and joy. Appreciating literature and recognizing its many forms enable students to learn and respond to ideas, issues,
perspectives and actions of others. Literature study includes understanding the structure and intent of a short poem or a long,
complex book. By exploring the techniques that authors use to convey messages and evoke responses, students connect
literature to their own lives and daily experiences.
 
 

Literary Devices

Variety of Literature

STATE GOAL 3: Write to communicate for a variety of purposes.

Why This Goal Is Important:
The ability to write clearly is essential to any person's effective communications. Students with high level writing skills can
produce documents that show planning and organization and can effectively convey the intended message and meaning. Clear
writing is critical to employment and production in today's world. Individuals must be capable of writing for a variety of
audiences in differing styles, including standard rhetoric themes, business letters and reports, financial proposals, and technical
and professional communications. Students should be able to use word processors and computers to enhance their writing
proficiency and improve their career opportunities.
 
 

Conventions

Organization

STATE GOAL 4: Listen and speak effectively in a variety of situations.

Why This Goal Is Important:
Of all the language arts, listening and speaking are those most often used on a daily basis at home, school and work or in the community. Skill in speaking is universally recognized as a primary indicator of a person's knowledge, skill and credibility. In person, by phone or through video, good listening and speaking skills are essential to sending, receiving and understanding messages. To understand messages spoken by others, students must be able to listen carefully, using specific techniques to clarify what they have heard. For speaking properly and making messages understood, grammar, sentence structure, tone, expression and emphasis must be part of students' repertoires.
 
 

Speaking

STATE GOAL 5: Use the language arts to acquire, assess and communicate information.

Language Arts Goal 1 Read with understanding and fluency. Goal 2 Read and understand literature representative of various societies, eras and ideas. Goal 3 Write to communicate for a variety of purposes. Goal 4 Listen and speak effectively in a variety of situations. Goal 5 Use the language arts to acquire, assess and communicate information.

Goal 1: Read with understanding and fluency. A. Apply word analysis and vocabulary skills to comprehend selections 1.A.3b Analyze the meaning of words and phrases in their context. B. Apply reading strategies to improve understanding and  fluency. 1.B.3a Preview reading materials to make predictions and relate reading to information from other sources.                                      1.B.3b Identify text structure and create a visual representation (e.g., graphic organizer, outline, drawing) to use while reading.  1.B.3c Continuously check and clarify for understanding (e.g., in addition to previous skills, draw comparisons to other readings).  1.B.3d Read age appropriate material with fluency and accuracy. C. Comprehend a broad range of reading materials. 1.C.3a Use information to form, explain and support questions and predictions.  1.C.3b Interpret and analyze entire narrative text using story elements, point of view and theme.  1.C.3c Compare, contrast and evaluate ideas and information from various sources and genres.  1.C.3d Summarize and make generalizations from content and relate them to the purpose of the material.  1.C.3e Compare how authors and illustrators use text and art across materials to express their ideas (e.g.,  foreshadowing, flashbacks, color, strong verbs, language that inspires).      1.C.3f Interpret tables that display textual information and data in visual formats. Goal 2: Read and understand literature representative of various societies, eras and ideas. A. Understand how literary elements and techniques are used to convey meaning. 2.A.3b Describe how the development of theme, character, plot and setting contribute to the overall impact of a piece of literature. B. Read and interpret a variety of literary works.   2.B.3a Respond to literary material from personal, creative and critical points of view. 2.B.3b Compare and contrast common literary themes across various societies and eras.  2.B.3c Analyze how characters in literature deal with conflict, solve problems and relate to real-life situations.  Goal 3: Write to communicate for a variety of purposes. A. Use correct grammar, spelling, punctuation,  capitalization and structure. 3.A.3 Write compositions that contain complete sentences and effective paragraphs using English conventions. B. Compose well-organized and coherent writing for specific purposes and audiences. 3.B.3a Produce documents that convey a clear understanding and interpretation of ideas and information and display focus, organization, elaboration and coherence. 3.B.3b Edit and revise for word choice, organization, consistent point of view and transitions among paragraphs using contemporary technology and formats suitable for submission and/or publication.  Goal 4: Listen and speak effectively in a variety of situations. B. Speak effectively using language appropriate to the  situation and audience. 4.B.3a Deliver planned oral presentations, using language and vocabulary appropriate to the purpose, message and audience; provide details and supporting information that clarify main ideas; and use visual aids and contemporary technology as support. 4.B.3b Design and produce reports and multi-media compositions that represent group projects. 4.B.3c Develop strategies to manage or overcome communication anxiety and apprehension (e.g., sentence outlining, note cards).  4.B.3d Use verbal and nonverbal communication strategies to maintain communications and to resolve conflict.  Goal 5: Use the language arts to acquire, assess and communicate information. A. Locate, organize, and use information from various sources  to answer questions, solve problems and communicate ideas. 5.A.3a Identify appropriate resources to solve problems or answer questions through research. 5.A.3b Design a project related to contemporary issues (e.g.,real-world  math, career development,  community service) using multiple sources.  5.A.3a Identify appropriate resources to solve problems or answer questions through research. 5.A.3b Design a project related to contemporary issues (e.g., real-world math, career development, community service) using multiple sources.  5.A.3a Identify appropriate resources to solve problems or answer questions through research. 5.A.3b Design a project related to contemporary issues (e.g.,real-world  math, career development, community service) using multiple sources.  5.A.3a Identify appropriate resources to solve problems or answer questions through research.  5.A.3b Design a project related to contemporary issues (e.g.,real-world math, career development, community service) using multiple sources.

 

Science

ILLINOIS STATE GOAL 13: Understand the relationships among science, technology and society in historical and contemporary contexts.

Why This Goal Is Important:
Understanding the nature and practices of science such as ensuring the validity and replicability of results, building upon the work of others and recognizing risks involved in experimentation gives learners a useful sense of the scientific enterprise. In addition, the relationships among science, technology and society give humans the ability to change and improve their surroundings. Learners who understand this relationship will be able to appreciate the efforts and effects of scientific discovery and applications of technology on their own lives and on the society in which we live.
 
 

Middle School Level B. Know and apply concepts that describe the interaction between science, technology and society.

13.B.3a Identify and explain ways that scientific  knowledge and economics drive technological  development.  13.B.3b Identify important contributions to science and technology that have been made by individuals and groups from various cultures.  13.B.3d Analyze the interaction of resource  acquisition, technological development and  ecosystem impact. 13.B.3f Apply classroom-developed criteria  to determine the effects of policies on local science  and technology issues.

Late High School Level B. Know and apply concepts that describe the interaction between science, technology and society.

13.B.5b Analyze and describe the processes and  effects of scientific and technological breakthroughs.  13.B.5d Analyze the costs, benefits and effects  of scientific and technological policies at the local,  state, national and global levels. 13.B.5e Assess how scientific and technological progress has affected other fields of study, careers and job markets and aspects of everyday  life.

 
 

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A Victorian Christmas provides links to other sites with information on Victorian traditions.