Process
- Step 1: You will be divided up into groups of three (3) and assigned two (2) articles each to read (provided below)
- Step 2: Articles for reading
- Student 1
- Will Students Benefit from a Longer School Year?
- Charter Schools
- Student 2
- The Benefits of More Classroom Time
- To Fix Education
- Student 3
- Pros and Cons of a Longer School Year
- The Debate Over a Longer School Year
- Step 3: As you read through your assigned articles, write down important points citing reasons for or against a longer school year. Using the articles, you should cite at least two (2) reasons that provide information about the benefits of a longer school year and two (2) reasons why an extended school year would be of no benefit. In addition to those reasons, you should also write down supporting evidence to enhance each reason.
- Step 4: You will then share your reasons and supporting evidence with the other members of your group. Student 1 will open this Word document and begin typing two (2) lists of reasons and supporting evidence found by each member of the group. One list will consist of reasons and evidence for a longer school year and the second list will consist of reasons and evidence against a longer school year. This completed chart will be turned in as part of your final grade.
- Step 5: After compiling your lists of reasons for and against, your group will evaluate both sides of the argument and, as a group, decide which one you feel is stronger based on the supporting evidence.
- Step 6: Once your group has taken a position on the topic, you will need to decide which three (3) points and supporting evidence most clearly and effectively states your case.
- Step 7: Create a PowerPoint outlining your position to present to the class citing your reasons and supporting evidence. Your PowerPoint should be a minimum of 10 slides. The first slide should present your position on the subject; slides 2, 5, and 8 should provide reasons for your position; and slides 3-4, 6-7, and 9-10 should provide supporting evidence for each reason.