General Information

In this project, students will work in groups of three to explore a controversial question within their subject area.

The general outline for the project is as follows:

  • Lesson 1: Students will decide on a topic as a group.
  • Lesson 2: Students will independently research their topic by evaluating three potential resources, share their research information with other group members, and decide on their role within the group.
  • Lesson 3: Students will write a first draft for their role, post it to the group, and peer edit other group members' work. Each first draft will be 3-5 slides, not including a Works Cited slide.
  • Lesson 4: Students will discuss the various points-of-view and come to a consensus on a group response to the problem in the Discussions.
  • Lesson 5: Based on their roles, students will author the group response based on the previous discussion (2-3 slides), compile a Works Cited slide for the entire project, and peer edit these documents.
  • Lesson 6: Students will revise the materials they have authored.
  • Lesson 7: Students will share the final drafts of their work within the group, compile it into a single presentation of 11-18 slides (not including Works Cited), peer edit it, and submit it for a final grade.

The roles within the project are as follows:

  • Role #1 - Background: This person will provide background information on the question, including definitions for any needed terms, the science behind the issue, and a factual description of the issue. This person will also author the group response later in this project.

  • Role #2 - Supporter: This person will support a yes answer on the question. For example, if the question is Would you visit a zoo of extinct cloned animals? you would answer yes. You should look for evidence that supports and argues for your position. Remember that your arguments must be supported by factual information, not unsupported opinions. Real-world evidence or related cases can be used. This person will also compile the full Works Cited list later in this project.

  • Role #3 - Dissenter: This person will support a no answer on the question. For example, if the question is Would you visit a zoo of extinct cloned animals? you would answer no. You should look for evidence that supports and argues for your position. Remember that your arguments must be supported by factual information, not unsupported opinions. Real-world evidence or related cases can be used. This person will also peer edit the group response and Works Cited lists as well as compile the final project in the final steps of this project.