Thursday, September 25, 2014

9/25/14

Media Center Research Orientation Day! What will we be doing in the media center?

--Solidifying debate groups
--Working with Ms. Hansen to learn about what research possibilities are available in the media center
--Finalize debate topics
--Begin research!

Homework: Make sure you have the Public Forum Debate Guide read by tomorrow and the 2014 Public Forum Debate National Championships watched by Monday! :)

Public Forum Debate Team Resolution Picks!

Below are the team picks for potential debate topics. If your name isn't on this post, that means you/your team never turned in your individual picks!

Teams: Yareli, Yaneth, Katie, Santi

Cyberbullying should be a criminal offense (2)
That the private ownership of handguns should be banned in the United States (2)
Use of a cell phone should be prohibited whlie operating a motor vehicle (2)


Teams: Ben, Sam, Talia, Bebe

The costs of a college education outweigh the benefits (2)
The benefits of post-9/11 security measures outweigh the harms to personal freedom (3)
Cyberbullying should be a criminal offense (2)
When in conflict, the United Nations should prioritize global poverty reduction over environmental protection (2)
That, on balance, social networking websites have a positive impact on the United States (2)
That the National Basketball Association (NBA) should rescind its dress code (2)
All young adults in every nation should be required to perform at least one full year of national service (3)
Americans should be allowed to share copyrighted material over the internet (2)
The death penalty should be abolished in America (2)

Public Forum Debate Groups

Debate Group 1!
Team A: Yareli and Yaneth
Team B: Katie and Santi

Debate Group 2!
Team A: Sam and Ben
Team B: Bebe and Talia

Debate Group 3!
Team A: Elijah and Brandon
Team B: Jayson and Alycia

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Other Great Public Forum Debate Tutorials!


Part 2 of this clip can be found here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeposE11Irg

Wednesday 9/24/14

Warm Up: Enunciation/Tongue Twister Activity and Discussion

Objective: We can understand and analyze the elements of public forum debate and begin researching resolutions.

Lesson: Public Forum Prep! View explanatory clip, read guidelines, browse resolutions and rank them, begin researching!

Wrap Up: Do you think it is easier to argue on the "PRO" or "CON" side of your resolution? Why?

Homework: Make sure you watch the debate finals for Friday and come ready to discuss them.


Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Happy Tuesday 9/23/14

Warm Up: Tongue Twister/Enunciation Public Speaking Exercise

Objective: We can analyze film as a text. We can understand and discuss the elements of a Public Forum Debate and begin preparing and researching for this debate.

Lesson: Finish "The Great Debaters" and turn in Film Guide. Discuss Public Forum Debates (look over ballot, guide, resolutions, and outline). Narrow down public forum debate topics in preparation for choosing groups.

Wrap Up: What are the top 3 most interesting resolutions? Why?

Homework: See previous post--watch Public Forum Nationals competition and be ready to discuss it on Friday! Take notes and get ready to talk about what you took away from this clip in preparation for your own debate!

Homework! Due Friday, 9/26/14

Watch the Public Forum Debate Nationals from 2014. It will take you about an hour so make sure you set aside enough time over the next couple of nights! Record your thoughts and ideas as you watch--what did you like/dislike? What surprised you? Apply all those close reading and critical thinking skills you have to analyze a film clip as a text!

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

9/17/2014

Warm Up: 10 minutes of final PREP TIME for your debate!

Objective: We can use quality research as part of an organized plan to speak persuasively. We can analyze film as a text and tool for debate skills.

Lesson: DEBATE! Each group will have about 3 minutes for their inital presentation. Each group will present, and then each group will face a series of questions and answers from other groups. Students will be evaluating each group and voting for a winner! Once we're done with this debate, we will being viewing the film "The Great Debaters" as preparation for our upcoming formal debates, and we'll complete some critical writing activities as well to go along with the film.

Wrap Up: Debate Debrief and exchange feedback with fellow debaters.

Here is the preview for "The Great Debaters."

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

9/16/2014

Warm Up: Get in your debate group and work together to take the US Citizenship/Naturalization quiz: http://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/quiz/learners/study-test/study-materials-civics-test/naturalization-self-test-1

Objective: We can write and speak persuasively to represent stakeholders of a key issue. We can participate in collaborative discussion about debate topics and methodology.

Lesson: Prepare for Immigration Debate--we will debate for the second half of class! Use the White House Immigration Fact Sheet and other quality online and primary sources for your research.

Wrap Up and Homework: We’ve been discussing what terms are appropriate surrounding the immigration issue. We’ve discussed how some people and media organizations perceive the term “illegal immigrant” as insensitive while others, like PBS News, continue to use the term. What is your opinion? Is the term “illegal immigrant” offensive? What would be an alternative term? Tonight’s homework is to write a half page response to this question—is using the term “illegal immigrant” acceptable? Why/why not?

Monday, September 15, 2014

A few clips to consider: Presidential candidates on IMMIGRATION! Is this useful for your argument?


Monday 9/15/2014

Happy Monday! Here's our plan for today:

Warm Up: Speaking Drills!

Here is some more info about our speaking drills for today, which will help improve your public speaking skills.

Distracted Speech
This game was designed to teach students to ignore distractions and focus on a task.  A student is given a text, such as a case or a famous speech, like the Gettysburg Address and while reading it, two or three other students are selected to stand next to the speaker and do what they can to be a distraction.  They will whisper in the speaker's ear, talk to one another, look over the speaker's shoulder and begin to read the same text or read other things.  All the while, the speaker should ignore it all and continue to read the assigned text without interruption.  It is a fun game and serves a useful purpose.
Speaking Drills
There are many kinds of speaking drills which are used to help students speak clearer and project their voices.  We also enjoyed these activities and sometimes added our own twists to the activities.  Some of our favorites:
1. Read a speech backwards.
2. Read a speech with a pen in the mouth.
3. Read a speech within a fixed time period trying always to complete the speech within five seconds of the time limit.
4. Read a speech with exaggerated inflexions, and gestures or extreme drama.
5. Read a speech as fast as possible.

Objective: We can research a topic using primary sources. We can represent the views of a key stakeholder in an important world issue.

Lesson: Assign roles for immigration debate, immigration research, prepare for tomorrow's debate!

Wrap Up: What do you need to do tonight to make sure you are ready for tomorrow's debate? List 2 things.

Homework: Finish researching and preparing for tomorrow's debate!

Friday, September 12, 2014

HAPPY HOMECOMING! 9/12/14

Warm Up: Discussion--homecoming and public speaking clips

Objective: We can research a civil rights topic using quality primary sources and organize this research to make a persuasive argument.

Lesson: Analysis of public speaking examples, introduce immigration debate/role play assignment, choose groups and begin research! Use the handout as a guide to your research.

Wrap Up: Discuss yesterday's events and support available

Homework: Continue thinking about your group's position on immigration reform and continue researching online.

Videos For Today (these are the videos Katie submitted for quality public speaking clips):

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Illegal Immigrants

"Illegal Immigrants should be paid less than U.S. citizens for doing the same job."


I strongly disagree with this statement. I disagree for many reasons, my first reason is that I believe that if an illegal immigrant is in the U.S. then they obviously tried very hard to be where they are now. They risked everything they have just so they could come here and start a new life for them and their families.
If they are applying for a job then they obviously want to make an effort to stay here and are willing to work hard for their money. If they do get the job, then they should be treated with the same respect and equal pay as a U.S. citizen that is working there. Especially if they are doing the same work. I can see if they aren't getting paid as much because they are new and their co-worker has been there for multiple years before them, but they shouldn't be paid less simply because they are an illegal immigrant.

Thank you,
Katie J.

Ignorance is bliss

                             Yaneth Q


"People who give aid to illegal immigrants should be charged with a criminal offense."

                   To whom this may concern, 
I don't know who came up with this rubbish. Nevertheless I want to tell you that your wrong. You would never leave a friend out to die just because they were not your blood would you? In the same way we should not neglect our neighbors, coworkers, acquaintances, and friends because they are not 'Legal' in the same way others may be. This is not a time of segregation. We have Obama for president. We really don't need Jim Crow laws on the Low-key. Have we not learned anything from our nations, quite obvious, past mistakes?
You don't become a doctor with the hopes of only saving SOME lives. Our allegiance wasn't made to make us into hypocrites. I believe, like our founding fathers, that in America we need justice for ALL. Its an abomination to humanity to not aid those we are able to. Now, I can see how in some cases you may object.  Like, for example, a murderer who injured himself escaping the crime scene. Which still seems to some extent wrong. But there is fine line between a criminal and someone who is here paperless.
Do deny what we stand for. It was the people once in your power who set it.

                                                                                    With deep concern,
                                                                                                                      Yaneth Quintero.

Should Immigrants be given the same Rights as U.S. Citizens

Pro-Rights Cartoon
       
       This picture is pro-rights for immigrants. On the this side, it is believed that immigrants deserve the same rights as an American citizen because they are people, and are no different from us.
Anti-Rights Cartoon

     












       On the other side, which I shall call anti-rights, it it feared that some immigrants will overuse and take advantage of these rights.












                                    -Sam Albright

Thursday 9/11/14

Are you ready for HOMECOMING TOMORROW? Hopefully you're dressed in tie-dye/hippy gear today and will be dressed in maroon and gold tomorrow! Here's the plan for today:

Warm Up: Debate Club? You should join! Discussion.

Objective: We can research two sides of a controversial issue and be able to support both sides with evidence and examples. We can participate in collaborative and persuasive discussion about a topic.

Lesson: US Citizenship/Naturalization quiz online! Highest score gets a reward! Immigration fact sheet discussion, finish up writing and responding to blog posts...last day!

Wrap Up: Immigration definitions whiteboard formative assessment

US Citizenship Naturalization Test



HERE is the link to the quiz!

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Illegal immigration should be a felony, and illegal immigrants should be imprisoned

Dear Congressman, I believe that illegal immigration is an important issue, but i think it shouldn't be a felony because making it into one will do more damage than fixing the issue. A lot of immigrants come to America looking for jobs and opportunities, so making them felons will damage their records, which will cause alot of businesses to lose employees. Illegal immigrants are dedicated to working, so i don't think its as bad as the government makes it seem. Belittling the immigrants is already an issue, so imprisoning them would cause controversy in america, and in the immigrants' countries.
Brandon Aragon

Illegal immigrants should be allowed to stay in the United States if they have a job.


Dear Congressman,
I am writing this letter to tell you about my point of view on immigration. I believe that immigrants should stay in the United States if they have a job. Many immigrants come to this country with hopes of changing their lives, and their future. a person should not be denied the right to stay in a country just because of their legal status because not everyone has the opportunity to apply for a Visa or apply for a green card. This country was founded by immigrants, telling someone to leave this country because it's not theirs is ignorant, Europeans came to this country illegally and took over the native american's country and made it theirs. Also if we look around, many of the big name companies hire immigrants to do work and they pay them less than they would pay an american citizen and many of the jobs are done well , getting rid of many immigrants would affect these jobs and the economy. There is people like my mother who have been here for 15 years and have payed taxes every single year, followed and respected the laws, & have learned the american language, yet because they are illegal they should lose the right to stay here? that's not fair, people who have done the same right things U.S citizens do should get the same rights as them. If immigration is so wrong, then why did Europeans come to North America and make it their land? How is coming to a country and trying to work and achieve your dream worse than coming to a different country from yours and killing everyone, then calling it yours?
Employes who hire illegal immigrants should have to pay a fine or serve time in prison ?

i say no.. that seems like something america would do anyways. America stay taxing, but on a serious note i think it's wrong to make somebody pay a fine because they hire an illegal immigrants, it kind of reminds me of the slavery days when white people would help black people become free and white people would get in trouble for doing the right thing. Its no different in this case if a illegal immigrant is good enough to do a job then why not hire them ? Wheres the crime in that ?

Terrorism because of Unsecure Borders


Ben Gardner

There is going to be more terrorism in the United States because our borders are not secure.



Dear Keith Ellison,

I think that the statement above is completely wrong. It's completely wrong because people in our country could be terrorists just as much as an immigrant could. It's not just immigrants who are terrorists. United States citizens can be terrorists too. I also think that our borders are already secure. A  major terrorist attack hasn't happened since September 11th 2001. That is thirteen years without a terrorists attack! Immigrants have been coming into the United States during those thirteen years too. That is a very very long time without an attack happening. So if you're going to make our borders even more secure then they already are, you're going to cut off a lot immigrants from coming here who are willing to work and do good things for the economy. I think our borders should stay the same as there are, because immigrants help boost the economy and our borders are secure enough the way there are now.



                                                         Sincerely.
                                                           Ben Gardner

 Illegal immigrants should have to have insurance to get health care.





Dear Congressmen,

I believe that this should not be the case because illegal immigrants need healthcare just as much as anyone else. People who are injured and sick need to be cared for and at that point it doesn't matter if they are legal or not.  It is not fair to limit the access to healthcare no matter the back round of the person in need. Illegal immigrants have trouble getting jobs and they do not have easy access well paying jobs. If they do not make enough money to support a family then how will they be able to pay the medical bills. Insurance costs a lot of money so if they do have the money pay the bills but do not have enough to pay for insurance I believe that they should still be able to get the care they need. To become a legal US citizen you have to have lived in the country for 10 years. You also have to have be a US citizen to have insurance, meaning if you haven't been here for a decade you are not able to have insure, which I do not believe is fair. I hope you will read this and take it to heart.

 Best Regards,
                        Talia

Should it be made easier to get immigrants to the U.S. ? Bebe

Role: Immigrant
Audience President
Format: Letter
Topic: Should it be made easier to get immigrants to the U.S. ?

Dear Mr. Obama,
   I think that it should be made a little easier for immigrants to get to the U.S. Even if you don't make it easier, immigrants will still find ways to get to the U.S. For example, an immigrant like myself could just use a water body to get there illegally, or an immigrant could just get a tourist visa and stay longer than it should have lasted (which is six months). People will go to the extreme extent to get what they want. I know a friend that was able move to the U.S because he won a lottery, after he won this lottery it only took a year for everything to be finalized. Therefore, you should be able to get anybody to the U.S. if they are qualified, you guys are making the process longer than it has to is unnecessary and unfair ! What i'm trying to say is if its not made easier for immigrants to come to America, it could cause problems. Like wars, or more people coming illegally than trying to go to the U.S. legal.

                                             
                                                Best regards, Bebe

Here's the warm-up clip that we'll be watching today as we write and respond to our immigration blog posts! What makes this man an effective public speaker?
Wednesday 9/10/14
Warm Up:  Public speaker clip/discussion! (you’re welcome, Katie Jones J)
Objective:  We can analyze and debate a real-world relevant subject and respond to each others’ ideas.
Lesson:  Immigration statistics, class blog, worktime for immigration blog posts and responses.
Wrap Up:  Have you had a class blog before? If so, what went well and what didn’t? If not, what can we do to make sure our blog is successful?
Homework:  Finish your blog profile! Don’t provide any info that would cause someone to be a creepy stalker…make sure you have a photo and some amazing info about yourself!

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

BONUS QUESTION 2!

If you were President, what would you do with the issue of undocumented immigration? Write your comments below!

BONUS QUESTION 1!

Are there more benefits or more drawbacks to illegal immigration in the United States? Leave your comment below!
Here is the clip that we watched in class as our warm up today. What makes him an effective public speaker? What does he have to say about immigration, our first debate topic?

Immigration Blog Posts

--Your 1st blog post for our class website should include:
--Your name (first name and last initial)
--The  statement about immigration from yesterday you’re responding to--remember that your statement is different from everyone else's!
--Choose ONE of the following tasks to do with your statement:

1. Write a letter to your congressman stating your point of view on illegal immigration and what you believe should be done about the issue. In this letter you need to outline reasons for your opinion with research that supports your opinion.

2. Make two political cartoons, one representing each side of the issue. Your cartoons must show that you understand both sides' arguments with details that prove you have done research on the arguments or current issues.

3. You may do a RAFT assignment, which means you choose your Role, Audience, Format, and Topic. In this assignment, for example, you could be an immigrant, writing to the President, in a formal letter, discussing your views on immigration, or you could be a small business owner, making a speech at a conference to other small business owners, about why they should and shouldn't hire undocumented workers.

4. Write a letter to a Hispanic immigrant. In this letter, explain your current argument regarding immigration. You need to acknowledge other points of view, and defend your point of view providing supporting evidence.
--Post it!!!
--Read and respond in the comments section (at least 3 sentences each) to 3 classmates’ blogs! What do you agree with/disagree with? Why? Give some quality feedback.

Homework:  Create a blog profile for yourself! Don’t provide any info that would cause someone to be a stalker…
Welcome to our class blog! This is where you will submit all of your written work for Ms. Oberg's Debate and Speech Communications elective. You will not only be writing your own content, but you will be responding to the work of your peers as well! Think critically, write eloquently, and let's get this going!