DUE MONDAY 4/30 Prep for Debate

Conduct research/reading as determined in your groups. Find websites if needed, depending on your particular task. Come to class on Monday prepared to share what good information you found, or what problems you had finding good information. Some of you will not have to do research because you already have articles. There is no written assignment for Monday.

Next week is STAR testing, but we will still work - at a more relaxed pace however.

The debate is scheduled for Thursday, May 9.


Mr. J

DUE THUR 4/26 Prep for lit. circle

Prepare for lit. circle by filling out those handouts that we have been using. I'll collect them after your group meets. Be sure to catch up in your reading to the point where your group should be.

Due Wed 4/25 "Jigsaw Activity"

Please note: This is classwork that you should do while the other half of the class has a discussion. It is due on Wed. 4/25, so if you don't finish it in class you can do it at home.

Read both of the selections that were handed to you in class. Don’t forget to read the preludes.

POST ON YOUR BLOG AND PRINT THIS OUT - YOU WILL NOT GET CREDIT IF YOU DON'T PRINT IT OUT AND BRING IT TO SCHOOL.

Your objective is to know the material in order to debrief it on Wednesday to others in class who have not read it. You will also suggest whether this would be a good debate topic or not. When you debrief it you will be responsible for four things (you have to write down three of them to prepare for the jigsaw):

1) Give a quick explanation of the topic and propose a debate resolution of the topic. (a couple of sentences)

For example: This is about flag burning and whether there should be a constitutional amendment that bans flag burning … a debate resolution could be …

2) Explain why it is an important topic. You choose what to write about, but here are some suggestions if you are stuck: How does it impact your constitutional rights? Can it impact your daily life? Does it empower or disempowered you as an individual? Does it promote or inhibit public discussion? Does it help or hurt people getting along with one another? (short paragraph)

3) Write one or two sentences that explain a good point made by the con side and one or two sentences that explain a good point made by the pro side (2-4 sentences total).

4) You do NOT have to write this down, but think about how you are going to "pitch" this topic. In other words, if you want to debate this, how are you going to convince others that it would be a good topic. If you don't want to debate it, how are you going to convince the others that you think it would be a bad topic?

Due Tuesday 4/24 - The press in times of crisis

Everyone should have determined in their group which selection they are going to read.

In addition to posting this on your blog, please print it out and put it in your notebook. You should have a section in your notebook devoted to the upcoming censorship debate and this should be in there. It really does not take long to print it out and it makes in-class review difficult if you don't.

I WILL CHECK CHECK HARD COPIES DURING SILENT READING.

Assume that our next debate will have the resolution, "The press should be censored in times of crisis."

1) Indicate wheter your reading selection is pro or con for the above resolution and write three things that support the pro or con position on this issue.


AND


2) Write a paragraph where you state your opinion on the issue. It should include some evidence from the reading, but it does not have to follow each viewpoint to the letter. You can also include ideas and evidence from other sources or individuals.