Monster WebQuest

A Novel by Walter Dean Myers

A WebQuest for 8th Grade (Special Education Language Arts)

Designed by

Mrs. Peggy Cozad
pcozad@mail.garfield.sparcc.org

Monster 

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page


Introduction

The justice system in America was at work in the novel Monster by Walter Dean Myers. A judge and jury heard Steve’s case, as well as that of his co-conspirators, and made their decision.

 


The Task

Your task is to research the laws behind the decisions made in the novel. The following questions will help to guide you in the process of creating a final paper discussing juvenile delinquency and the death penalty.

1)      Can 16-year-olds go to jail?

2)      Describe what a juvenile trial is like.

3)      What other options are these besides jail for 16-year-olds that commit a crime?

4)      What is ‘parens patriae’?

5)      Discuss at least 2 ways to prevent juvenile delinquency.

6)      What is the 5th Amendment?

7)      Can 16-year-olds get the death penalty?

8)      How many juveniles got the death penalty?

9)      Do you think race plays a role in who gets the death penalty? Why or why not?

10)  Does Ohio have the death penalty?

 


The Process

Using the websites listed and your answers to the about questions, type a one-page report summarizing the information that you found. Be sure to include an introduction and a conclusion.

 

Information Resources:

Death Penalty Info

http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org

http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/FactSheet.pdf

 

Juvenile Crime and the Law

http://www.juvenilejusticefyi.com/juvenile_justice_faqs.html

http://www.juvenilejusticefyi.com/juvenile_delinquency_prevention.html

http://www.juvenilejusticefyi.com/juvenile_justice_glossary.html

 

Ohio Department of Youth Services

www.dys.ohio.gov

 

Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections

www.drc.state.oh.us

 

 


Evaluation
16 point assignment

 

4

3

2

1

Writing: Ideas-Includes interesting and informative details

Writing had quality details which were interesting and supported the main idea.

Writing had many details that supported the main idea.

Writing had few details that supported the main idea.

Writing had no details.

Writing: Organization- Has a beginning, a middle, and an end

Writing has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Writing had transitional sentences and flowed smoothly.

Writing had a beginning, a middle, and an end. Writing had transitional sentences.

Beginning, middle, and end were not clear.

Writing did not have a beginning, middle, or end.

Writing: Word Choice- used descriptive and colorful language

Writing used colorful and precise words to create a picture in the mind of the reader. Writing showed a strong vocabulary.

Writing used many descriptive words. Word choice sometimes took away from the meaning.

Writing had a few adjectives and descriptive words. Wiring lacked style and variety.

Writing did not have adjectives or descriptive words.

Writing: Spelling/Grammar- Correct grammar and spelling

Made only 1-3 spelling, punctuation, or grammar errors.

Made 4-6 spelling, punctuation, or grammar errors.

Made 7-10 spelling, punctuation, or grammar errors.

Made more than 10 spelling, punctuation, or grammar errors.

 


Conclusion

Educating yourself and others about juvenile delinquency and the laws in the first step in preventing crimes from happening. Don’t let what happened to Steve happen to you or those around you.

 


Credits & References

Monster by Walter Dean Myers