Today, I'd like you to keep working on your PowerPoint presentations.  Here is what I will be looking for;

• Title page with topic and your name (5 points)
• Definitions and background information about your topic (10 points)
• 3 or more main arguments (20 points)
• Your response to counter-arguments (5 points)
• Did you make a good case? (10 points)
• Slide clarity and organization (20 points)
• Factual information presented along with citations (10 points)
• Visual support such as charts, graphs, photos, artwork (10 points)
• Professionalism (10 points)

Your presentations will tenatively be due Friday, but I will see how the week goes.  If you have questions about how to use PowerPoint, you can always hit F1 for help, or ask the person next to you.  Google your question as well - there is lots of help out there.

Also, at this point, the mini-test will be delayed until next Tuesday so that I have time to go over some stuff with you first.

If you have questions for me, catch me on Facebook PM, or email me at jasontimm@gmail.com.

Have a good afternoon!

By now, you should be accumulating a good amount of data to use in your Controversial Topic Paper and PowerPoint.  Use today to finish collecting data.  If you need more time at home or while you are writing your actual paper that is fine, but you will only have a couple days to write it all up, so use your time wisely.

On Tuesday, you will need to turn in a Word document with your research notes.  I will be looking for a good amount of information, well-documented sources, appropriate info for your topic, and hopefully I will be able to tell what your topic is and which side you are on by the information you collected.

Research Notes should be turned in by Tuesday - name them lastname_researchnotes and turn in to the appropriate folder.

Today in class you should be researching your topic.  Due to the fire drill yesterday and the fact that I would like to see some VERY GOOD research, you will have until next Tuesday at the beginning of class to turn in your research notes. 

Here is an example of some research:

My topic is Public School Reform.

I believe that the public school system in our country is in crisis and we are not giving our kids the best education that we can.  I further believe that our kids would be best served by an education system that is not run by the government. 

Some of the problems we face today are:

1. Schools that are resource starved due to high overhead and administrative costs
2. Most students are graduating with less knowledge and capability than similar students in other industrialized countries.
3. Classroom disruptions are surprisingly common, and in some Classrooms, nearly continuous.
4. School violence is rampant, including the many violent incidents we all hear about in the news.

Privitizing the education system will benefit kids by:

1. Allowing students and parents to choose a school that best fits the needs of the particular student
2. Raising the bar for teacher performance - good teachers are rewarded and bad teachers are pushed out of the system
3. Fostering true innovation and creativity in curriculum and teaching methods

Data for problem #2:

Illiteracy Statistics
42 million American adults can't read at all; 50 million are unable to read at a higher level that is expected of a fourth or fifth grader.
The number of adults that are classified as functionally illiterate increases by about 2.25 million each year.
20 percent of high school seniors can be classified as being functionally illiterate at the time they graduate.
Source: National Right to Read Foundation
http://education-portal.com/articles/Grim_Illiteracy_Statistics_Indicate_Americans_Have_a_Reading_Problem.html

Data for problem #4:

There were 424,000 incidents of all types reported -- or 10 incidents per 1,000 public school students. Out of those 10 incidents, 9.5 incidents were of the type categorized as less serious or nonviolent (including theft/larceny, vandalism, and physical attacks or fights without a weapon). The remaining .5 incidents per 1,000 students were of the type categorized as serious and violent.

The most frequently reported crime that occurred in schools was physical attacks or fights without a weapon, with about 190,000 such incidents reported - or 4.4 per 1,000 public school students.

Approximately 116,000 incidents of theft or larceny were reported - or 2.7 per 1,000 public school students.

There were 98,000 incidents of vandalism - or 2.3 per 1,000 public school students.

There were 11,000 physical attacks or fights with a weapon - or 0.3 per 1,000 public school students.

There were 7,000 robberies - or 0.2 per 1,000 students.

There were 4,000 rapes or other incidents of sexual battery - or 0.1 incidents of rape sexual battery per 1,000 public school students. (Rape or sexual battery was defined as rape, fondling, indecent liberties, child molestation or sodomy.) In comparison, the National Crime Victimization Survey of 1995 (a survey of persons in households) found that, overall, cases of rape or other sexual assault occurred at the rate of 3.5 per 1000 persons 12 to 14 years old and about 6 per 1000 persons 15 to 17 years old.
 

Violence and Discipline Problems in U.S. Public Schools: 1996-97
March 18, 1998
National Center for Education Statistics

http://nces.ed.gov/pressrelease/violence.asp

Data for solution #3

School vouchers are good educational policy. Harvard professor Paul Peterson studied voucher programs in three cities and found that not only did test scores improve for those using vouchers to switch from public to private schools, but this benefit was particularly strong for black students. Harvard professor Caroline Hoxby earlier found that using vouchers to find a better education improved test scores, the probability of college education, and future income. The average family income of voucher program students in several cities including Washington, D.C., and New York is less than $16,000.

Nearly two-thirds of Florida's public school teachers say vouchers help prod public education reform. The Wisconsin state auditor noted research showing that "the choice program has actually improved Milwaukee Public Schools' fiscal condition." In 1998, the Buckeye Institute similarly found that educational competition between public and private schools contributes to better public school performance.
 

Making the case for school vouchers

By Thomas L. Jipping
web posted October 16, 2000
 
http://www.enterstageright.com/archive/articles/1000vouchers.htm

I think I managed to get all of you assigned to a topic.  If that is not the case, please come see me and I will work it out. 

Now that you have your topic, you will need to start researching that topic.  You need to thoroughly understand the issue and should find information related to:

• Exactly what the controversy is
• A clear definition of both viewpoints along with any special case exceptions, etc.
• Your stand on the issue
• At least three arguments in support of your position (more is even better)
• At least three arguments in opposition to your position
• Your response to those three opposing arguments

You should specifically look for:

• facts
• statistics
• studies
• research
• charts
• graphs
• surveys
• photos
• videos
• news stories
• personal stories

You will be turning in a document with all of the notes, data, and sources that you collect over the next few days by the end of the week.

First, I want to thank you for doing a good job last Friday.  I got a very positive report from the sub...

Today I will be assigning everyone their topics (or will at least try to).  I will give you a high level overview of the project so you know what is coming.  Then, I want to go over some computer and internet basics, giving you a chance to ask any questions you might have.  Then I want to get into some basic online research strategies.  You will be spending most of the week getting data together to use in your projects.

The Controversial Topics project will include:

• Gathering data (you will turn in your research notes)
• Collaboration with others
• Preparing a Word document that outlines the issue and your position (with supporting arguments)
• Creating a PowerPoint presentation from your paper
• Presenting your topic back to back with the person presenting the opposing viewpoint
• Participating in discussions on topics other than yours