Debate Presentations - Day 1

Objective

• Debate a variety of domestic issues

Agenda

1. As Mr. M sets up the videos and takes attendace, here's some Halloween themed news to read about!
1. Forclosure Firm Holds Homeless Themed Haloween Party
2. Occupy Wall Street Update:  Scott Olson & Mail
1. Flashbang At Crowd
2. Scott Olson After The Attack
3. An Eye Witness Account
4. "Keep Wallstreet Occupied"
3. Debate Format
4. Debate Project Presentations

Poverty in the USA

Objective

• Analyze the impact of poverty in the United States

Agenda

1. For Your Information
1. More about Scott Olson, a marine and war vet injured in the Oakland Protests
2. A case against the Occupy Wall Street Movement
2. Warm-Up #14 - Is the fact that 1 in 6 Americans live below the poverty line (22k per year for a family of four) a problem?  If not, explain why not.  If it is, explain what actions ought to be taken to resolve the issue.
3. Are The Poor Really Poor?
1. Heritage Foundation Analysis (PDF)
2. "World of Class Warfare" (Daily Show)
1. Background - Fox analyst argues 700 billion in tax revenue is insignificant.
3. Discussion / Analysis
4. Economic Growth - Where'd It Go?
1. Rachel Maddow
2. Discussion / Analysis
5. TED Friday - How economic inequality affects societies
1. Richard Wilkins
2. Discussion / Analysis
6. Debate Preparation

Poverty & Inequality in the USA

Objective

• Explain the role of the super committee in the Debt Crisis
• Analyze the degree of poverty & inequality in the USA

Agenda

• Warm-Up #13 - Read the article linked below.   Do you support the Democrats mixed plan recently proposed by the super committee, or agree with the Republican rejection of this offer?  Explain why.  (Feel free to present a third view, if you find neither to be ideal).
• http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/26/politics/debt-committee/index.html?iref=allsearch
• News Update
• Occupy Oakland Police Response - Maddow Coverage
• http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#45055472
• Scott Olson
• Message
• Marines?
• NYC Solidarity March & Oakland March
• Anonymous Attack on Fox News?
• http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/26/anonymous-threatens-fox-news_n_1032701.html
• The Super Committee
• Conclude the "Debt Crisis Timeline"
• Poverty / Inequality in the USA
• Stats
• News Reports
• Are The Poor Really Poor?  (Heritage Foundation)
• World of Class Warfare (Daily Show)
• Economic Growth - Rachel Maddow Analysis
• http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#45055472

Debt

Objective

• Analyze the size and causes of the national debt

Agenda

• Warm-Up #12 - How big is the national debt?  Guess without looking it up.
• National Debt PowerPoint
• Debate Projects

Republican Debate

Objective

• Evaluate the Occupy Wall Street Movement
• Analyze the most recent Republican Debate

Agenda

• Know Your Meme:  Handwritten Notes
• Occupy Views 
• Stephen Colbert
• Jon Stewart
• Republican Debate

Occupy Wall Street

Objective

• Explain the Occupy Wall Street Movement
• Evaluate media coverage of the event and effectiveness of the protest

Agenda

• Warm-Up #11:  Briefly describe what you know about Occupy Wall Street.
• PowerPoint & Discussion
• What Happened So Far?
• Who Are They?
• What Do They Want?
• How Does It Work?
• Media Responses

Inside Job - Part 1

Objective 

• Explain what caused the financial system to collapse

Agenda

• On The News...
• Inside Job

Debate Prep

Objective 

• Explain major "problems" in the American education system
• Evaluate policy solutions to improve our education system

Agenda

• Collect Tests
• Points of Discussion
• Wall Street Crash
• Economic Problems
• "Homework"
• Republican Debate
• Iran Terror Plot
• Debate 
• Description
• Topics / Groups
• One group 1v1 (Marc v. Merle)
• One group 3v2
• Most groups 2v2
• Prepare!

Education Policy Test

Objective

• Explain major "problems" in the American education system
• Evaluate policy solutions to improve our education system

Agenda

• Essay Test
• Debate Groups / Topics 
• Breakdown
• One group 1v1 (Marc v. Merle)
•  One group 3v2
• Most groups 2v2

Student Apathy

Objective

• Explain major "problems" in the American education system
• Evaluate policy solutions to improve our education system

Agenda

• Final Speech
• Maggie
• Education Policy: Student Apathy
• Overview
• Ken Robinson:   Changing Education Paradigms
• Steve Miranda on Management & Grades
• Solutions
• An unconventional test

Poverty & Education

Objective

• Explain major "problems" in the American education system
• Evaluate policy solutions to improve our education system

Agenda

• Warm-Up #10:
• Of the four main arguments you've heard thus far, what is the biggest obstacle to providing students with a quality education in our public schools today?
• Bad Teachers Protected by Unions & Tenure
• Teaching Isn't An Attractive Career For Best & Brightest
• Lack Of Rigor - Increase School Time & Standards
• Standardized Tests Make Our Schools Worse
• Speeches
• Education Policy:  Poverty

Standardized Tests

Objective

• Explain major "problems" in the American education system
• Evaluate policy solutions to improve our education system

Agenda

• PowerPoint: Standardized Testing
• Clip - Matt Damon
• Reading Packet:  Critics of Standardized Testing
• As you read, UNDERLINE arguments that you find persuasive or especially surprising.
• As you read, put an X next to arguments you think are flawed, and make a note of why you disagree with this idea.
• When you finish, discuss the following with a small group of students near you:
• Do standardized tests prepare students for a society that no longer exists?
• Do you agree with Steve Miranda's argument that standardized tests distract us from a better, more complex way of evaluating a child? 
• Are you concerned about the people who grade your standardized tests?
• Is it a problem that a few private companies are getting huge profits from taxpayer dollars through mandatory testing?  If so, should we scrap the tests or find a new model for providing and scoring them?
• Do high stakes tests set up too much of an incentive to cheat?
• How can we ensure these tests are accurate measurements?
• Do you agree with Steve Miranda's argument about the dangers of the environment we set up for students?
• Speeches
• The rest!

Increasing Rigor

Objective

• Explain major "problems" in the American education system
• Evaluate policy solutions to improve our education system

Agenda

• Finish reading the op-eds from yesterday about teacher pay and discuss them with people around you.
• PowerPoint:  Education Policy
• Part II:  Problems
• #2 - Teacher Quality
• Op-Ed: "Pay Teachers More"
• Op-Ed: "Teachers Are Overpaid"
• #3 - Increase Rigor
• Raising Standards
• Arnie Duncan Clip
• Longer Year
• Longer Days
• Read "The Debate"
• Four Positions on the Issue
• Speeches!

Teacher Pay & Incentives

Objective

• Explain major "problems" in the American education system
• Evaluate policy solutions to improve our education system

Agenda

• Read This:  FCPS and NCLB
• Speeches
• PowerPoint:  Education Policy
• Part II:  Problems
• #1 - Bad Teachers
• Waiting For Superman
• Wisconsin Protests - Background
• Colbert Report - "A Less Perfect Union"
• #2 - Teacher Quality
• Op-Ed: "Pay Teachers More"
• Op-Ed: "Teachers Are Overpaid"
• If time, additional speeches

Education Policy

Objective

• Explain major "problems" in the American education system
• Evaluate policy solutions to improve our education system

Agenda

• Warm-Up #9 - In your opinion is the BIGGEST problem in public education today.  Justify your response.  When you are finished....
• Pick up a copy of the handout from the middle table and read it.  Discuss with nearby students while you wait for others to finish the warm-up.
• PowerPoint:  Education Policy
• Discussion:  Biggest Problem
• Part I:  The"Crisis"
• Test Scores
• Dropout Rate
• Part II:  Problems
• Bad Teachers
• Speeches