A Uniform Decision  

 A Webquest developed by Lori A. Reitano for English classes, Grade 9

Overview:         

This Webquest instructs students to write a persuasive essay and present research through a PowerPoint presentation.

Introduction          Task           Resources            Process          Evaluation          Conclusion  

Introduction

 How do we excel in academics?  How do we protect our students from violence in school?  What are you wearing to school tomorrow?

 The answer to these questions may be solved with one action by the local school board of Your Town, USA.  After a lengthy debate at last night’s meeting, the school board agreed to consider a proposal to make school uniforms mandatory for all high school students beginning this fall.

Before any final decision is made, the school board agreed to hear persuasive arguments both in favor and against this proposal.  They have hired several Consulting Firms to research this topic.  You are employed at one of these firms.  You will be contacted by someone important (a.k.a. your teacher) who will assign you a task and the position you should defend.

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Task

The team (a.k.a. the class) will be divided by the teacher into Consulting Firms.    Each Consulting Firm will be assigned a position to defend the school board proposal either in favor of or opposed to mandatory school uniforms.

Each Consulting Firm must defend their position from 4 viewpoints:     

Lawyer

 Teacher

Parent

Student

Your Consulting Firm must:

  1. Create a name for your Consulting Firm.
  2. Research your topic using the Internet Research sites.
  3. Submit a fact sheet of your researched information from each viewpoint.
  4. Submit answers to questions from each viewpoint.
  5. Write a persuasive essay from each viewpoint.
  6. Present a group PowerPoint Presentation defending your position.

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  Resources

www.schoolsecurity.org/resources/uniforms.html

www.ed.gov/updates/uniforms.html

www.dickies.com/web/school/news_dosch.asp

www.ecs.org

www.naesp.org

www.nassp.org

www.aasa.org

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Process

Your Consulting Firm has been hired to present research in favor or opposed to mandatory school uniforms.  Each employee of your Consulting Firm will be responsible for researching your position from a different viewpoint:

Lawyer

 Teacher

Parent

Student

  Step One: 

Choose a name for your Consulting Group and give to your teacher.

  Step Two:  

Assign a viewpoint  to each member of your group.

  Step Three:  

Gather information on mandatory school uniforms using Internet Resources

  Step Four: 

Each group member must prepare the following information for the final group presentation:

  1. A typed, information fact sheet of information gathered about your topic
  2. Typed answers to assigned questions for each role
  3.  A typed, persuasive essay stating   defending your position and viewpoint  using facts, examples, and reasons.

Step Five: 

 

1.      Your Consulting Firm must create a PowerPoint Presentation defending your position using information on each  of the  viewpoints researched.

2.      Each viewpoint should be presented using a minimum of 2 facts and 1 example each. 

3.      Your presentation, based on your research, should conclude by making a recommendation to the Your Town, USA school board regarding mandatory school uniforms.

Step Six:            

1.                  Present your PowerPoint Presentation to the school board

2.                  Submit along  all required written documentation on the assigned date.

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Questions

Here are questions to consider in defending your positions.  

   Lawyer:   Defend your position from a legal perspective.

 

  1. What right does the First Amendment protect?
  2. Are there any laws that allow school board to require mandatory school uniforms?
  3. Are there any laws against school boards requiring mandatory school uniforms?

    Teacher:   Defend your position from a teacher's perspecitive.

 

  1. Does the school board policy apply to teachers?
  2. Have school uniforms had a positive / negative effect on academics at other schools?
  3. Have school uniforms had a positive / negative effect on school violence at other schools?

    Parent:  Defend your position from a parent's perspective.

 

  1. How much do school uniforms cost?
  2. Where can you get school uniforms?
  3. Are there any alternatives to mandatory school uniforms

    Student:  Defend your position from a student's perspective.

 

  1. What are the positive / negative reactions to school uniforms?
  2. What happens if I don’t abide by the school board policy?
  3. Are there any school systems that currently have mandatory school uniforms?

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Evaluation

  You will be evaluated on the following:

 

  1. PowerPoint Presentation to the class ( 40 points)
    1. You defended your position (for or against mandatory school uniforms)
    2. Each role was represented, stating a minimum of 2 facts and 1 example each.
    3. Your conclusion makes a recommendation to Your Town, USA school board on their decision of mandatory school uniforms.
  1. Written Materials (40 points)
    1. All written materials are presented in the provided 3-ring binder.
    2. Each role (Lawyer, Teacher, Parent, Student) is represented.
    3. Each role has a typed, research fact sheet
    4. Each role has typed answers to the assigned questions.
    5. Each role has a typed, persuasive essay stating the opinion you are defending and using facts, examples, and reasons to convince readers.
  1. Participation (20 points)
    1. Group evaluations
    2. Participation
    3. Conflicts handled within the group
  1. Individual Grades on Persuasive Essays (50 points)
    1. stating an opinion
    2. supporting facts, examples, and reasons to convince readers
    3. free of errors in punctuation and grammar

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Conclusion:

Congratulations!  You have used your research skills to gather information via the Internet.  You have written a persuasive essay defending an opinion using facts, examples and reasons.  You have also used computer skills to make a PowerPoint presentation.  Your Town, USA school board appreciates your time and assistance with this project.  Questions and further discussion will follow at the end of all the Consulting Group presentations. 

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 Last Updated March 2005 by Trisha Armstrong