Ms. Koegel Final Project

Ms. Koegel - Final Project

Select a topic you would like to research and sign up.  These will be given on a first come first serve basis. Topics may be switched depending upon availability.

Gene Doping in Sports:  The Science and Ethics of Genetically Modified Athlete
The Battle to Legalize Euthanasia
The Stem Cell Divide: should stem research be encouraged?
Hoarding
Pollution & Waste Management
Body Piercing and Tattoos-hoe far is too far?
Plastic Surgery-cosmetic or reconstructive-who should pay
Welfare Reform
Illnesses/diseases
Superstitions of different cultures
Global Warming-myth or reality?
Prison Systems/Capital Punishment
Gun control debate
Teen Pregnancy
Aegism

Find two or more articles that discuss the issue and write a one page summary of the information

Create a visual that clearly relates to the material you will be teaching. This may take the form of the following:

• 10 slide PowerPoint or Smartboard presentation that uses graphics and facts
• short reading or musical piece based on the topic
• a media clip that has been approved by me
• an interactive activity that will take 15 minutes of class time (game)

Create a worsheet for the class to be used to determine if they have learned the points you wished them to understand.  This may be a journal question, a multiple choice quiz, a group assignment or anything creative to get the students involved and demostrate they have understood the material.  You will collect and grade and evaluate them.

Prepare 2 key discussion questions so that the lesson has a clear beginning and end.  You will be conducting your discussion based on these points

Use the following sources to find information on your topic:

Opposing Viewpoints - Critical Thinking

Opposing Viewpoints in Context

CDC

Poverty In America

Poverty In America - Research Project

Your task:

1.      Please select one task in order to construct a documented two-page critical analysis of poverty in America. 

2.      Your two-page paper must be typed in M.L.A. format. 

3.      The body of your paper must include textual evidence from the film documentary 30 Days Minimum Wage, the article Poverty and The Effects on Children and Parents, and two other reliable/ reputable source and personal accounts.

4.      Late papers are unacceptable.  Each day the paper is late; a minimum of five points will be deducted. 

Your choices:

1.      Research the current minimum wage in our country.  Explain when and why the minimum wage was created.  Find out what the current NYS and federal minimum wage is.  Do you think that the minimum wage is high enough? Explain and justify your position by providing textual evidence from two reputable sources.  Discuss a solution one could take to avoid having to accept minimum wage jobs and support your position with current facts, statistics, and/or anecdotes.

 

2.      Define and research the working poor.  Through your research, illustrate what this expression means for people in America.  Find statistics from two reliable sources about the current working poor.   Discuss why people are stuck in this cycle, and offer at least one solution people could take to avoid this problem and be sure to support your position by providing reputable and current facts, statistics and/ or anecdotes.

 

Define poverty.  Illustrate the current poverty epidemic in our country.  Cite examples and statistics from two reliable sources that illustrate poverty as a current American problem.  Detail the effects of poverty on children, parents, and our society as a whole.  Make sure to include the socioeconomic effects, in addition to the psychological effects of poverty.  What steps can people take to get out of poverty? Identify two solutions one could take to avoid poverty.  Be sure your solutions are supported by various reliable sources via facts, statistics, and/ or anecdotes

Use the following sources for your research:

Opposing Viewpoints in Context

Global Issues in Context

GREENR

CDC

The Census Bureau

World Hunger

Marco Polo Project

The following elements must be included in your research project:

Biographical Information of Marco Polo
- whatever you think is important
- what people should know about him

Timeline of his journey
- Original time line - do not cut and paste
- 5 to 10 events that indicate significant events and or the importance of his journey

Map of journey
- indicate entire route
- indicate significant points from timeline

Impact of Marco Polo's journey
- your analysis of the impact on Europe and Asia
- support your ideas with specific examples

Evaluation of Marco Polo
- Why is he an important historical figure or why is he overrated? (Opinion)
- support your ideas with specific examples

Optional formats for presentation
Slideshow
Flyer
Multi-Media Presentation
Poster

Use the following resources for your research:

Websites

New World Encylopedia

About: Marco Polo

Absolute Astronomy: Marco Polo

National Geographic - use headphones to listen to presentation

Interactive Map of Marco Polo Journey

Another Map of Marco Polo Journey

In The Footsteps of Marco Polo

Databases

Biography Resource Center

Global Issues in Context

World History Collection

ABC Clio Databases

Catapult Lesson - Mr. Heck

Punkin Chunkin Lesson

Use the following links to build your catapult or trebuchet

Trebuchet Plans

Catapult Plans

Also you can use the following database and type in "Trebuchet" or "Catapult" as a search

ABC Clio Databases


For more information on the history of medieval weaponry:


History of Medieval Weapons

S.E.E, 12R - Ms. Buglisi, Mr. Destio & Mrs. Frishman

As a culminating activity of the Argumentation and Research Unit you will participate in a 2 to 3 day in class debate.  The winner of the debate will earn a substantial amount of points on the quarter level.  The winner will be decided by a panel of judges.

In preparation for your cross examination debate, you will research the issues, and the essential questions that drive the debate.  Collectively, you and your team have discussed and outlined the issues and questions that relate to the proposition.

You must have at least 10 articles that are for and against the proposition.  The articles must be from valid websites or databases.  Every member of the team must find at least one article, annotate it, and then present the findings to the team so that the team can build their case.
You will use 3 of the articles for your individual documented argument paper.

Propositions for Debate 2014

Resolved, the drinking age should be lowered to 18

Resolved, criminals cannot and should not be rehabilitated

Resolved, same sex marriage should be legal

Opposing Viewpoints Critical Thinking

Opposing Viewpoints in Context

Criminal Rehabilitation

Criminal Rehabilitation

Criminal Rehabilitation

Crininal Rehabilitation

Drinking Age

Drinking Age

Drinking Age

Same Sex Marriage