Summary
In this lesson students will work in a group and choose a current controversial issue to research, present, and debate to their classmates. Each group will research an age appropriate controversial issue and determine the pros and cons of the issue and relate it to a political party spectrum. All students will reflect on their views of the issues prior to the presentations and after to determine if their viewpoints changed after learning more information on each topic. Then, students will participate in an online debates to prove why their side of the issue is correct. In addition, classmates will be able to participate in each group’s online debate to add additional viewpoints on each topic.
TIPC Ratings
Target/Ideal: In this lesson, students researched a controversial issue utilizing approved, age appropriate websites within Henrico County’s databases, finding the the pros and cons of a specific topic. Students identified important keywords associated with their topic in order to teach their topic to their classmates, if their controversial topic is supported or opposed by the two main political parties.
Target/Ideal: Students created a presentation to collaboratively compile their research. They utilized todaysmeet.com to debate their views on the controversial issue. Students were also given the option of using, Google Slides, Movie Maker or a traditional poster to design their presentation. Students were able to chose their own groups and approved topics. They used Google Forms to vote on issues throughout the process and to reflect on their experience with the teacher.
Ideal/Target: Students applied their controversial issue within the context of the American two-party system. They used their research to determine the possible solutions and compromises to the controversial issue they are researching. Also, classmates synthesized the information presented to them to decide their own viewpoint of the topics and debated them in an online chat room.
Approaching: Students were asked to create a presentation. Google slides was recommended, but students were also given the option of using Movie Maker or a traditional poster to design their presentation. Students reflected on their learning and how arrived at their own viewpoint of a controversial issue.
Student Artifact
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