School Uniforms. Yes or No?

Introduction

The debate rages on in school and in homes--a debate in which many students hold strong opinions. Should American students have to wear school uniforms? What are the pros and cons to school uniforms in schools? Let's explore the most common pros and cons for school uniforms in order to help you formulate your opinion on the matter.

Task

You will look through each of the following sites found on the "process" page in order to find the pros and cons of school uniforms. What are some reasons why schools choose uniforms? What are some of the pros for students and their parents? What about the cons. What are some of the reasons why schools decide not to implement uniforms? What are some of the cons for students and their parents.

1. You are tasked with finding at least three pro CLAIMS (Reasons for schools to implement uniforms) and three con CLAIMS (Reasons why not to implement uniforms). 

2. You must then decide which reasons you feel are strongest. Which side of the debate will you choose?

3. After deciding which side of the debate you will support, you must find at least two pieces of EVIDENCE (research, examples, stories, etc) to support each of your claims. You will have three claims for each side and six pieces of evidence in the end. 

4. You must use at least THREE websites to collect your information. 

Process

Evaluation

CATEGORY

3

2

1

0

Sources

Utilized at least three sources to find all claims and evidence.

Utilized two sources to find all claims and evidence.

Utilized one source to find all claims and evidence.

Did not effectively utilize any of the sources to find claims and evidence.

Focus on the task

Consistently stays focused on the task and what needs to be done. Very self-directed.

Focuses on the task and what needs to be done most of the time.

Focuses on the task and what needs to be done some of the time. Teacher must sometimes nag, prod, and remind to keep this person on-task.

Rarely focuses on the task and what needs to be done. Does little work.

Efforts

Work reflects this student's best efforts.

Work reflects a strong effort from this student.

Work reflects some effort from this student.

Work reflects very little effort on the part of this student.

Discussion

Participation 

Student routinely volunteers answers to questions and willingly tries to answer questions s/he is asked.

Student volunteers once or twice and willingly tries to all questions s/he is asked.

Student does not volunteer answers, but willing tries to answer questions s/he is asked.

Student does not willingly participate.

Conclusion

Think about what you have decided about the pros and cons of school uniforms. You should now have some good research and information to back up your argument. We will use these webquests to discuss our stance. 

Ultimately, we will use this information to work on an essay in which we argue whether or not students at Summit Academy should have to wear uniforms. 

Teacher Page

Mrs. Berger

Summit Academy ELA