Sixth Grade Social Studies Graduation Standards:

PEOPLE AND CULTURES—Current Issues Analysis

Defend a position concerning a current event or issue.

Due Date:

Hard copy of PowerPoint and notes due by February 5, 2003. Deadline: 3:00 PM.

Five BONUS points will be given to a student’s final score if the project is turned in on Friday, January 31, by 3:00 PM. This will be our last scheduled day in the computer lab.

A student shall defend a position concerning a current event or issue by demonstrating an understanding of the history, facts, controversy, values, beliefs and emotions surrounding the issue by:

  1. identifying specific events or situations illustrating the impact of the issue;
  2. describing a range of opinions or positions on the issue;
  3. selecting and defending a position based on information;
  4. describing the responsibilities of citizens involved with the issues; and
  5. summarizing the findings in a written, oral, or role-play presentation.

POSSIBLE TOPICS

·  Egypt: Considering how the ancient Egyptians felt about the afterlife, is the exploration of tombs justified by the knowledge it yields about the past or is such exploration a form of grave robbery?

What are the views of archaeologists/museums/private collectors and the views of the country of Egypt?

·  India/Pakistan: These two countries are on the verge of a nuclear war. Why is this happening? What are both sides of the issue?

·  Israel/Palestine: Explain the conflict that exists between these two areas. What are both sides of the issue?

·  China: In order to alleviate the problem of overpopulation, Chinese families may have only one child. Explain both sides of the issue (Chinese government and the Chinese people).

·  North Korea/U.S.: Explain the conflict that exists between these two countries. What are both sides of the issue?

·  Iraq/U.S.: Explain the conflict that exists between these two countries. What are both sides of the issue?

·  Africa: Explain the AIDS crisis that exists in this country and how the governments of various African countries are handling this growing epidemic.

MINIMUM REQUIRED SOURCES

·  TWO Internet websites/pages

·  TWO Magazine/Newspaper articles from Infotrac or SIRS

·  ONE Book

·  ONE Encyclopedia

Student Evaluation—Sixth Grade Social Studies

Graduation Standard

Current Issues Analysis PowerPoint Presentation

Slide Show—Minimum of Eleven Slides:

_____/5 title

_____/5 introduction

_____/5 map

_____/15 historical background

_____/15 for (one side of issue)

_____/15 against (other side of issue)

_____/15 personal opinion

_____/5 U.S. government/ U.N.

_____/5 U.S. citizens

_____/10 conclusion

_____/10 bibliography

Oral Presentation:

_____/5 note cards or outline used

_____/5 eye contact

_____/5 prepared/rehearsed

_____/2 poised—no fidgeting

_____/5 3-5 minutes in length

_____/5 speaking voice—

clear, loud, not too fast, used

inflection

_____/5 hard copy of ppt provided

Notes:

_____/10 two internet websites

_____/10 two periodicals

_____/5 one encyclopedia

_____/5 one reference book

Graphics:

_____/2 up to SIX imported from

Internet

Font:

_____/2 title(s) default size 44

_____/2 text default size 32

_____/2 used readable font (example:

Times New Roman)

Consistency:

_____/2 slide transitions

_____/2 graphic animation

_____/2 text animation

_____/2 background

_____/2 wordart (titles, subtitles)

_____/5 main ideas only on slides, not

entire paragraphs

three slides per page

Due Date:

Hard copy of PowerPoint and notes due by February 5, 2003. Deadline: 3:00 PM.

Five BONUS points will be given to a student’s final score if the project is turned in on Friday, January 31, by 3:00 PM. This will be our last scheduled day in the computer lab.

Note:

Five points deducted for each day presentation is late.

_____ points deducted for inappropriate behavior during class

_____ points deducted for inappropriate audience behavior during presentations

_____/190 points

______

Teacher/Student Comments: