Every Friday/Monday

I keep asking: WHAT DO YOU CARE ABOUT?

Some of you keep saying: “I’M NOT SURE!”

I am asking you to take a STAND on something and share it with the class!

What is it?

STAND SESSION is an opportunity for you to share with the class what you care about, share your STAND on the issue, and show/explain three sources that support your stand on the issue. You will STAND up and share your opinion and sources with the class.

Why are we doing this?

Through this exercise, you will become more CULTURALLY LITERATE In order to prepare for possible issues that may be presented on the AP test. This will also give you practice developing a clear argument on an issue and supporting it with source information.

What do I have to do?

As you listen to the news (be it Brian Williams or John Stewart) and read about issues in our country and our world, you will certainly develop a question about your opinion on something.

Here is a question I have on my mind:

Should kids have to be in a certain grade to begin playing contact sports?

(This question comes out of my concern after looking at my 4th grade, baby-faced son in his shoulder pads and Western Wildcats practice uniform this summer.)

I did a search on the databases here in the library, and I came up with these three articles:

1.  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4556235/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/t/pushing-too-hard-too-young/

2. http://www.newsday.com/opinion/letters/don-t-start-kids-in-sports-too-young-1.2584482

3. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/checkup/2008/10/kids_sports_health.html

I am going to read these three articles and find information that supports my stand on the issue, highlight it, and be prepared to share it with the class.

When is it due?

We will have a STAND SESSION each Friday/Monday you come to class. Three students will present each week. The schedule of students and presentation dates will be on Blackboard.

How will it be graded?

I will not grade anything written. This is an oral exercise, where you will articulate your argument and then summarize how parts of your articles support this stance. You will highlight or underline the information in your articles and then show us on the document reader.