ISSUE: What Government Policy (And/Or Course of Action by Others) Should Be Taken With

December 4, 2006

Dear Parents:

As you are probably aware, 7th grade AC language arts classes have recently completed reading Nancy Farmer’s futuristic novel The House of the Scorpion. Woven into the exciting plot of this science fiction work are some of the “hottest” and possibly most controversial scientific and political issues of our time. These topics are also of keen interest to my students, as evidenced by our discussions and the frequency with which they have mentioned the issues in classes outside of language arts. In order to tap into student interest, I am assigning students to choose a topic related to the novel The House of the Scorpion for further investigation. After conducting research, students will determine an appropriate audience and compose a clear, concise, well supported recommendation regarding action(s) that should be taken with regard to their chosen topic.

ISSUE: What government policy (and/or course of action by others) should be taken with regard to ______?

(student’s topic choice)

My goals in working on this project are: (1) to provide my students with an opportunity to investigate an issue of great interest to them; (2) to help them develop higher level thinking and research skills; and (3) to provide them an opportunity to take a stand and appropriately express their concerns and suggestions on a global issue to their government representatives (or other appropriate audience). Most research will be done here at school prior to the winter break, but students are also welcomed to conduct research at home. The written portion of this assignment will be completed after students return in January; an exact due date will be announced later.

If after reviewing this information you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via phone (678-331-8131, ext. 444) or e-mail ().

To ensure that students have shared this information will their parents, I ask that you sign the last page of this letter and return it to me via your child. If there is an issue on the list of topics that you would NOT want your child to investigate, please indicate that in the space provided. As always, thank you for your support and for the opportunity to work with your child.

Sincerely,

Beth Smith

“The questions [Nancy Farmer] raises will haunt readers long after the final page.”

Review ofThe House of the Scorpion, Publishers Weekly, 2002

Topic Choices: Global Issues Raised in The House of the Scorpion

(Students will narrow the focus of their topic choice after conducting initial research.)

Ø  biomedical ethics

Ø  cloning

Ø  genetic engineering

Ø  organ transplants

Ø  euthanasia

Ø  slavery today

Ø  air pollution

Ø  global resources

Ø  energy alternatives

Ø  civil liberties

Ø  police corruption

Ø  threats to national security

Ø  terminal illness

Ø  addiction/chemical dependency

Ø  poverty

Ø  censorship

Ø  war on drugs

Ø  garbage and recycling

Ø  education

Ø  genetically engineered foods

Ø  endangered oceans

Ø  illegal immigration

*Students may also propose an alternative issue to be approved by the teacher.

_____ My child has permission to investigate the topic of his or her choice.
_____My child has permission to investigate the topic of his or her choice with the exception of those listed here: ______

Parent Signature:______Date:______