Book Groups & Problems in Education Research

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Today, please get together in book groups: The Undertaking, The Other Wes Moore, Chew on This. Discuss your progress with the book so far. If you have questions about the book, please ask your group members. Everyone should hand in an index card letting me know what page of the book you are currently on so that I can pace the assignment correctly.

Topics to discuss:
  • 1. The writing style
  • 2. The content
  • 3. The use of facts and research
After our book group discussion, please move to the lab to continue your research on your group’s chosen topic. Record any websites and materials you research on your MLA citation note page. Surf the web for resources and information concerning your topic. KEEP TRACK OF WHERE YOU FIND INFORMATION. You will be required to complete an MLA formatted works cited page.

We recognize five major social institutions that have been evident in some way in every civilization in history:

  • government
  • religion
  • education
  • economics
  • family
Arts should be up there too come to think of it. While we are focusing on education, currently, any issue you uncover in Economics or PIG classes will be just as important to this class as our current discussion. Use any of these topics from these classes in your writing/portfolio.

For your research today, please examine your topic. You will need to start somewhere online and get a basic understanding of what it is you are attempting to research. Once you've done that, keep track of key issues and side-issues in your topic. Take NOTES. Your notes will lead you to further research.

The sites below may also be useful:
Education as a social institution
Current Issues in Education (search database for articles)
Social Problems Website
Public Education's Biggest Problem Get Worse (article)
Testing our Schools
Competition: Is it Healthy?
Testing and Accountability by Diane Ravitch (article)
For testing also search for: NCLB (No Child Left Behind), APPR & the Common Core, SATs, etc.
For funding also search for: Poverty
For students competing with each other search for: Competition, Globalization

During period 2, come together and talk to your group about what evidence and sources you found. Read through some of the material. Ask each group member to find at least one article and bring it next class read and broken down as notes for the group.

From your research and discussion, form ONE question that your GROUP LEADER will post on the forum's CROSS TALK section. The leader should log in, enter the cross-talk folder and start a New TOPIC, with subject heading: Name of topic, followed by SOTA (for example: Testing, SOTA). This will become clear as we work with the forum.
1. Please go to the following website:
http://www.communitycenterforteachingexcellence.org
2. Under STUDENT FORUM, Log-in under the META menu: Your USER NAME is your first name and last initial; Your PASSWORD is: pblstudent
HOMEWORK: Please continue reading your selected non-fiction book. Additionally, find and read at least ONE article on your group's chosen topic and prepare notes to share with your group on Thursday.

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