The Real Scoop on Tobacco

Notes to the Teacher

You have been hired by the parents of Icabod, a sixth grade student. They suspect their child of smoking or about to start. He's gone through D.A.R.E. and listened to the lectures of his parents and teachers. However, he thinks they are all just handing him a line. After all, he sees lots of adults smoking and figures it isn't really so bad. In fact, he thinks it's pretty cool. But he might listen to you. After all, you're his peer. That's what his parents are counting on. They've hired you to convince him to quit smoking. To do so, you must show your commitment to the fight against youth using tobacco and create a memorable message for him. Do a good job - it could be a matter of life and death.

The Task

Your client's son doesn't particularly like to read, so you must approach him in a more creative way. He is, after all, much like you, a member of the MTV generation. He'll listen to a rap song; he'll hang a poster in his room. But to earn his respect, you must first demonstrate your knowledge of tobacco and your commitment to fight its use by young people. So here's what you're being paid to do:

The Process

  1. Determine how you will organize information in your journal. You will use this to record all information and activities throughout the project, including a log of your daily activities, brainstorming questions, notes from research, comments from other students, drafts of project tasks, etc.
  2. Conduct research on tobacco and respond to the following questions:
  3. In your journal, brainstorm the position and supporting facts you will use to convince Icabod to stop smoking.
  4. Collect tobacco ads, posters, etc. and analyze them using the following questions:
    1. What graphic design techniques did they use to appeal to you?
    2. What does the ad say directly?
    3. What does it say indirectly (hinting, suggesting)?
    4. Who do you think this advertisement is designed to interest? How does it do this?
  5. Based on your research, design an advertisement or poster to convey your message about tobacco use. Consider analyzing any ads aimed at your age level for techniques graphic designers use to attract you. Use these techniques in your ad to promote your position on tobacco use.
  6. Spread the word by writing an editorial to your local newspaper making a persuasive statement about one of the issues related to youth using tobacco. To get a feel for style and format of this type of writing, read a variety of editorials published in newspapers or magazines. Does the editorial convince you to agree with the author's position? If so, how was it convincing? If not, why wasn't it convincing? How can you relate this to your task of writing an editorial?
  7. Go directly to the source! Write a letter to tobacco companies stating your concerns for their impact on youth. Support with facts from your research and ad analysis.
  8. Give a message that'll stick! Determine how you will convince Icabod to quit smoking. Select from the following presentation ideas or propose your own idea. Regardless of your approach, you need to be convincing, relate important facts, and connect with your audience. You can create a:
  9. Prepare a presentation to Icabod and his parents in which you can offer your letters and ad/poster as testimony to your knowledge and commitment. Then deliver your message to Icabod in a way he won't forget!
  10. Present your final product to Icabod and his parents on a designated "Youth Against Tobacco" day in your class.

Resources

Below are some sites that will help you accomplish your tasks. Many have links to additional sites. Stay focused on your tasks, however, and know what you are looking for, or you can waste a lot of valuable time.

Master Anti-Smoking Page is a great resource for links to organizations working to combat the smoking habit. It also provides a way to ask an expert specific questions. You'll need to scroll down quite a bit to find the Anti-Smoking page listed under "Specialty Pages - General Interest".

American Cancer Society is the site specifically targeting tobacco control. It provides facts about smoking cigars and includes a position statement and cigar fact sheet.

Quit-Net is a site by the Massachusetts Tobacco Control Program with information on how to quit, resources, news items, and great links.

The Learning Trip has easy-to-understand information on the physical reasons people continue to smoke and on nicotine's effects on various parts of the body.

If Tobacco Ads Really Told the Truth is a fun site showing kids' versions (parodies) of tobacco ads.

Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids includes information about recent legislation (laws) and policies. Be sure to check out the "Kid's Corner". It's written just for you!

Adverse Effects of Smoking has some interesting information - including a picture of a smoker's lung.

Learning Advice

Feedback: Get feedback from at least two other people while each part of your project is still in rough draft form. Have them record their feedback (what's good, suggestions for improvement) in your journal. Record your reaction to their feedback and any changes you made based on their suggestions.

Writing a song: If you're having trouble designing both the music and lyrics, pick out a catchy tune or a popular song to which you can rewrite the lyrics.

Performing: Determine whether you would prefer to act out your presentation live or videotape it. If you choose to videotape it, become familiar with the functions of your camcorder, storyboard the presentation, and determine effective shooting techniques.

Evaluation

Use the following questions to evaluate the quality of your work:

Reflection

  1. Do you feel this was an effective learning experience? Explain.
  2. How did you determine which information was helpful and accurate?
  3. If you were doing this activity again, what would you do differently?
  4. What suggestions or hints would you offer to future students doing this WebQuest?

Conclusion

What have you learned about the effects of tobacco that you didn't really know before? In what ways has this project affected you and your opinion about smoking and other forms of tobacco use?

Extension

Find out about smoking laws in your state and city. If there are laws restricting smoking, what are the restrictions? Why do you think these law were enacted? What impact do they have on you and your community? Write to your council members supporting or urging action.

Notes to the Teacher

Lesson Title: The Real Scoop on Tobacco

Curricular Area: Health

Grade Level: 5-9

Goal/Purpose: To give students the opportunity to apply and make sense of the myriad of information available regarding tobacco and to be able to personalize it so that the information can aid them to make better decisions regarding their health.

Interdisciplinary Connections: Language Arts, Visual and Performing Arts

Length of Lesson: 2-3 weeks

Materials:

Teacher Resources:

Prerequisite Learning: students need to be comfortable with the following skills or supported throughout the process:

Suggestions:

  1. Organize the students into small groups. Discuss the advantages of dividing up responsibilities. Be clear in what your expectations are for individuals and groups.
  2. When presenting this project, provide students with a copy of the project to include in their journal. Conduct a brainstorming session to determine organizational strategies for notebooks, materials, computer use, etc.
  3. Conduct small group or whole class sessions throughout the project to provide support on various activities and peer feedback opportunities.
  4. Arrange a "Youth Against Tobacco" day in your class/school. Ask administrators or parents to participate as Icabod and his parents and have students present their products. Provide opportunities for students to share their projects beyond the classroom with their school, parents, and community.

Written by Ginger Nehls, teacher at Magnolia Elementary School, Upland Unified School District.


Questions, comments, and suggestions may be addressed to: itdc@sbcss.k12.ca.us