In real life, this story is being repeated across the country. In Arizona, the community served by Gilbert and Queen Creek Schools has been growing faster than any other in the state. New schools opening every year, new housing developments, new shopping areas are all around us. As the East Valley continues to grow, though, what happens to the surrounding towns? Are there other implications of the growth besides a larger community?

 

In this WebQuest, you'll play the role of a community member involved in the decision to annex the town of Queen Creek into the larger city of Phoenix. By the end of the WebQuest, you will have researched the issue of suburban growth from the perspective of a community member and collaborated on a plan for appropriate growth of a community.

The Web Quest Task  

 

Your task is to study the issue of annexation and suburban growth from the perspective of one of four roles to be assigned. You will make a 5-7 minute speech presenting the perspective of that role.  The paper/assignments will be evaluated using an individual rubric to judge the thoroughness of your research and understanding of your assigned role-perspective.  

 

Next, you will collaborate as a team of 3-4 persons with differing roles to develop a consensus position regarding ways to manage growth and provide desired services in a community experiencing rapid growth. Your group's consensus position will then be presented to the rest of the class to persuade them of the wisdom of your plan. PowerPoint or some other presentation tool should be used to enhance the professional appearance of the presentation.  A written summary of the presentation is also required.

The presentation will be evaluated using a group rubric to judge such things as creativity and workability. It would be a good idea to look at the rubric early in the process and consider the criteria for grading in your work    Next, you will collaborate as a team of 3-4 persons with differing roles to develop a consensus position regarding ways to manage growth and provide desired services in a community experiencing rapid growth. Your group's consensus position will then be presented to the rest of the class to persuade them of the wisdom of your plan. PowerPoint or some other presentation tool should be used to enhance the professional appearance of the presentation. 

The presentation will be evaluated using a group rubric to judge such things as creativity and workability. It would be a good idea to look at the rubric early in the process and consider the criteria for grading in your work

Web Quest Home                 Ms. G Home Page

An Introduction
to the
WebQuest

It used to be a small town. Four-hundred students in the high school meant everyone got to participate. And government and civic issues were easily discussed across the back fence - settled at a town council meeting that everybody could attend. Then came the suburbs, inching closer to Stilwell each year until now the town may be annexed. Voices speak up and then shout: "You can't burn that trash outside!" "Taxes will probably go up 30%!" "There will finally be a full-time fire department."