Creative Solutions: Through Collaboration and Debate

Funded Jan 27, 2015

My co-teacher and I thank you for your investment in the students of our Looking for an Argument class. Looking for an Argument is design to assist our students develop the skills needed to read, annotate and analyze primary and secondary source texts looking for evidence to support a position they are taking on a specific issue. As part of our graduation requirements each of our students must write a comprehensive paper in each major subject. These papers are then presented to a panel of three evaluators where they defend their position. Many of our students struggle identifying and incorporating meaningful evidence in their written and oral arguments. We designed this class to provide them the opportunity to hone their research, debate and writing skills.

Each week we begin the class with a debate, the student choose a side and then read texts to find evidence to support their position. By the end of the week they write a persuasive essay that includes the evidence they found. Crafting a well-developed argument requires organization. Your generous donation will provide materials used to organize annotated texts, notes and weekly essays. Thank you again.”

With gratitude,

Mr. WARD