School Uniforms: Pros and Cons

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A webquest for 4th and 5th graders

by: Mari Berge and Bryon Appleget

Introduction   Task   Resources   Process   Evaluation

Introduction:

    Your team is a member of the School Board.  The Board is meeting with parents and administrators to decide if the schools in your area should adopt a school uniform policy. You will be divided into two teams consisting of 4 students. Team A is to convince those present that uniforms are beneficial, while Team B is to give reasons why uniforms are not. (click on arrow to go back to menu.)

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Task:

    Each student will be assigned a job to do for your team:
        Researcher 1: Your job is to find information to support your argument.
                               You will use resources that are both on-line and off-line.

        Researcher 2: Your job is to find information that is against your
                                argument.   This will help your group defend your side. 

        Poll taker/Grapher:  You will go around the school and/or the community
                                         and register opinions of against or for the issue.  After
                                         you have your results, you will create graphs and
                                         charts by using a computer program for your
                                         presentation.

        Budget Adviser:  You will weigh the pros and cons concerning the cost
                                     of having uniforms vs. buying school clothes.
Once you have compiled your information and completed the charts and graphs, your team members will come together to formulate your argument.  Then, your team will go before the Board to argue your side. (click on arrow to go back to menu.)

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Resources:

Internet Sites:

Dress Codes and School Uniforms

Manual on School Uniforms

The Effects of Student Uniforms

The Raging Debate

School Uniforms: Why and How

Magazine Articles:

Uniforms Rule by: Pat Wingert
   Newsweek, 10/04/99, vol. 134 pg.72-73

School Uniforms The Answer to Violence in American Schools
   or a Cheap Educational Reform? by: Julia Wilkins
   Humanist Magazine, March and April 1999, vol.59, pg.19-22

A Uniform Look by: Amelia Newcomb
   Christian Science Monitor, 2/9/99, vol.91, pg. 15

One Gutsy Proposal by: Ted Byfield
   Alberta Report/News Magazine, 6/28/99, vol. 26, pg.44

Dress Codes vs. Free Speech by: Sherrill Kushner
   Cobblestone Magazine, Jan. 98, vol.19, pg. 29-31

Madchen in Uniform by: Katha Pollitt
    The Nation, April 27,1998 (click on arrow to go back to the menu.)

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Process:

1. The class will be divided into groups of eight students.  Team A of that group will be looking for arguments that are for student uniforms.  Team B of that group will be looking for arguments that are against student uniforms.
2. Each of the students on the teams will be given a job.  Then, it is your responsibility to make sure that job is accurately done.
3. You will be looking for information that supports your argument.  Once you have completed that task, you will come back together as a team to formulate your argument.
4. When your argument is ready to be presented, you will present your argument to the Board. (The Board will consist of your fellow classmates and your teacher.)
5. After you have presented your argument, the Board will make a decision for or against school uniforms.  Depending on the outcome of the vote, you will know if your team made the best argument. (click on the arrow to go back to the menu.)

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Evaluation:

Student Evaluation:
    You need to evaluate your team members.  Check the appropriate box.

Name of Team Member:	Satisfactory	Unsatisfactory
Participation-they did their share of the work
Research-their research was helpful in formulating your argument
Discussion-helped to make decisions during the planning of your argument

Teacher Evaluation:
    You will be graded on the following items:

Name:	20 points	15 points	10 points	5 points	0 points
Participation-observation and feedback from team members
Research-turn in all your notes, so you can be graded on doing your job
Presentation-clarity of argument and participation during the argument
Visuals-easy to see, colorful, and understandable
Decision-depends on the outcome of the vote

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Conclusion:

Congratulations!!!!!  You have completed this assignment. (click on the arrow to go back to the menu.)

    Last Updated March 2005 by Trisha Armstrong