Exploring Treaty Rights and Ethics

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Assessment

K-12:

• After the class discussion about an acceptable policy for the Makah request, students write a four paragraph essay. The paragraphs address the following topics, respectively:
  • Paragraph #1: Introduce the issue by providing an overview of the main points and major areas of controversy
  • Paragraph #2: Describe the primary arguments presented by the "point" side (the Makah's) of the issue
  • Paragraph #3: Describe the primary arguments presented by the "counter-point" side
  • Paragraph #4: Conclude the paper by suggesting and defending a policy that might meet the interests of the two sides, and help "solve the problem."

 

• These papers will be "sent out" from the classroom (e.g., to political leaders, tribal elders, newspapers, etc.) via e-mail, or class web-site. They can be assessed for writing skill (e.g., 6 traits), and soundness of support for their opinions. Also, readers’ responses to their papers will provide "real life," authentic feedback.

Methods:

• Engage students in a classroom question/answer session about how they might prepare and lead a discussion in a social studies classroom. Use an overhead with the following headings:

  A) Choosing the issue

  • Is it age-appropriate?
  • Is it perennial?
  • Is it captivating?

  B) Preparing students
  C) Establishing guidelines for talking
  D) Preparing the questions/prompts

  • Factual information
  • Interpretations
  • Opinions

  E) Running the discussion
  F) What do you do when…

  • Students ask your opinion
  • Student makes an inappropriate/unacceptable comment
  • Some students are not talking
  • One side of an issue is over-/under-reprepresented (i.e., no intellectual balance)

• For each heading, have the students discuss what they think is important. The teacher interjects ideas along with the students, and keeps a running summary on the overhead.

Center for Technology and Teacher Education, University of Virginia, This module was created by Bruce Larson Western Washington University