Webquest: School Violence

Introduction
School shootings seem to be common everyday occurrences in many schools around the world. They have already developed a momentum on their own and have become almost impossible to stop. They are frightening and tragic examples of an explosion of violence in our schools. They are reported in newspapers, magazines and by the media on a regular basis. They bring attention to the problem of violence in schools all around the world. They evoke many emotions. Parents, administrators, psychologists, law enforcement officials and students caught in the cross fire agonize about what they could have done differently. School shootings are terrible tragedies that evoke fear and anxiety. School shootings are one of the most severe warning signs imaginable for any country’s culture. They spur calls for the government to understand the causes and consequences of the rampage shootings in schools, find solutions to reduce violence in schools and help protect children in our schools.

The President of Argentina has just established a School Safety and Security Committee with the purpose of advising school authorities on issues of school safety and security in our nation. The President has asked all 4th Year High School students to research on the topic of school violence in our country, compared to what is happening in the rest of the world, in order to prevent or stop school violence that can derive in school shootings.

Tasks
You are expected to work in 4 groups of 4 people each and work on the following tasks:

• An oral presentation supported by a Power Point presentation including two video segments (You tube) about the problem in Argentina and in any other country. The aim of this presentation is to be shared at school as a preventive measure.

• A written report addressed to the President describing the situation and suggesting possible policies to prevent/stop the problem.

Process

• Define the problem.

• Identify the cause(s) of the problem and their closeness to the situation in Argentina

• Research and evaluate the current policies that address the problem both in Argentina and the rest of the world.

• Discuss in your group and suggest ways of overseeing the implementation of policies to assure the safety and security of our country’s students.

• Prepare a Power Point presentation which supports your previous discussion and write a report describing the situation and suggesting the President ways of preventing violence at schools.

Resources

The Problem – Causes - Current policies / Prevention

Wiki Book: “School Violence”

Conclusion

• Organize a campaign in order to prevent violence at school, both in secondary and primary school. This campaign will be carried out through posters, drawings, graffiti, videos, oral speeches, special activities and any other activity that you may consider. Your aim will be to share everything you have learned with your classmates and teachers.