GIFT OF LIFE

INTRODUCTION  TASK  PROCESS  RUBRIC  RESOURCES   EVALUATION

 A Web Quest for Middle School created by Charlene Beers, Marjorie Kelley, Betsy Ratner & Dorothy Franco-Reed

Would you save the lives of seven people if you could? As a matter of fact you can.
Organ donation is an issue that effects many. Did you know ...  one donor could provide up to seven life saving organs or tissues for up to twenty people?  The generosity of many people has made organ donations possible. However, there still is a shortage of organs for the many that need them.  As more people become aware of the need for organ donations, more lives will be saved.  The green ribbon symbolizes support for organ donations.

TASK

Your task will be to become an informed citizen concerning the issue of organ donation.  You will work with a team to investigate issues of organ donation and different points of view, by taking on the roles of different people who are instrumental in the process of providing the gift of life.  Your mission is to acquire information to create a unique presentation to share with the rest of the class.  You can select any of the activities below or create your own idea:
 

•  a script for a newscast with a setting
•  a rap with multiple stanzas
•  video show
•  slide show
•  puppet show
•  Hyperstudio© stack
•  PowerPoint© demonstration
•  choreographed dance with hand movements
•  poems with multiple stanzas
•  theater production/play
•  model with descriptions
•  labeled display with report
•  posters with notations/explanations
•  skit with character analysis
•  novella
•  oration
•  debate
•  advertising campaign

 
 
PROCESS
 
 
 

• Choose a role from list.
• Create names for each of the roles.
• Investigate and answer questions that apply to your role and record data in your journal.
• Reflect on your feelings and write your thoughts regarding your role.
• Share and decide the groupís message or position .
• Site all references with a bibliography (use at least three different resources).
• Choose a way to impart the information to the rest of the class.
• Prepare your presentation using the rubric.
• Complete self-evaluation using the guided questions.

RUBRIC 
 
 

QUESTION	BEGINNING	DEVELOPING	ACCOMPLISHED	SCORE (if applicable)
I used opinions or emotional appeals where appropriate	.	.	.	.
The information I gave was valuable	.	.	.	.
I stayed focused; I did not stray off my topic	.	.	.	.
I learned from this experience	.	.	.	.
I cited resources using the appropriate format	.	.	.	.
I put things in my own words	.	.	.	.
A clear introduction was present	.	.	.	.
The conclusion had a clear call to purpose or belief	.	.	.	.
My group worked collaboratively	.	.	.	.
Presentation aids were .creative	.	.	.	.

 
 
 

RESOURCES

Life Gift Organ Donation Center 
The Living Bank 
Organ And Tissue Donation Initiative
New England Organ Bank 
The Transplant Patient Partnering Program
Help Resources And Services Administration
Transplant Recipient International Organization, Inc.
Transweb
Top 10 Myths About Donations
 
Books

Green, Reg, The Nicholas Effect, O'Reilly, 1999
Pekkanen, John, Donor; How One Girl's Death Gave Life To Others, Little Brown and Co., 1986
Shomaker, Mary Z., Lifeline: How One Night Changed Five Lives: A True Story, Far Hills, 1996

For further information:

Magazines

Scientific America
Popular Science
Lancet
CMAJ  Canadian Medical Association Journal
JAMA  Journal of American Medical Association
New England Journal of Medicine
American Medical News

Encyclopedia of Associations
 

To Contact Us:
cbeers@milforded.org              Calf Pen Meadow School
mkelley@milforded.org            Harborside Middle School
bratner@milforded.org             Calf Pen Meadow School
dfrancoreed@milforded.org        West Shore Middle School

EVALUATION

 Record in your journal your responses to the following questions.
1. How did this experience help you?
2. What did you learn about yourself?
3. What did you learn about life?
4. Describe how your group worked together?
 

 

 Site created in loving memory of Nora, Nancy and Harold Gimbel, and Dale Purcell