Writing Editorials - Game Script The case for year-round schooling


Background

'Year-round schooling' is an alternative model to the standard school calendar. Students still spend the full 180 days a year in school, but these days are spread througout the whole year rather than having a long summer holiday breaking them up. Although different schools schedule short breaks differently, the idea is the same: reduce students' time away from the learning environment. The system, like any, is not perfect, and it has many advantages and disadvantages.

Atom High has assembled a team of five educational experts to help them advise whether or not they should adopt the new 'year-round schooling' program to replace the standard calendar currently in place. Using thought-out and well-composed argumentative techniques, these five experts will come up with, develop, and write-out claims both for and against adopting the 'year-round schooling' system.

Characters

Professor Fenn Educator

A quiet but thoughtful woman, Lucy Fenn got her start in education teaching history to high school students.


Your Task

Help Atom High decide whether or not to adopt year round schooling!


Resources

Scene - 01

Steve Kristoff Educator

Steve was the principle of a kindergarten for 12 years, and taught there for 8 years before that!


Your Task

Help Atom High decide whether or not to adopt year round schooling!


Resources

Scene - 01

Jennifer Crowley Educator

Mrs Crowley has a long, distinguished history advising government offices with educational policy.


Your Task

Help Atom High decide whether or not to adopt year round schooling!


Resources

Scene - 01

Professor Pimmy Educator

After emigrating to American with her family from poorly-educated Thailand, Pimmy made it her mission to strive towards better education.


Your Task

Help Atom High decide whether or not to adopt year round schooling!


Resources

Scene - 01

Dr Strauss Educator

Bradley Strauss got his doctorate in education from Harvard, and has been advising top colleges on educational matters for over ten years.


Your Task

Help Atom High decide whether or not to adopt year round schooling!


Resources

Scene - 01

Scene 1: Year-Round Schooling at Atom High


1.

Public Message

First, the panel will begin with developing claims against the adoption of the year-round schooling curriculum, with supporting arguments coming afterwards.

Begin by watching the introductory video to learn more about year-round schooling: "Blanced calendar - year round school TV interview", and then start to decide on two claims against year-round schooling that you will be elaborating on.


2.

Private (Shortly After previous message)

Professor Fenn:

Help Atom High decide whether or not to adopt year round schooling!

Present your final arguments in a formal writing style, and support your claims with clear reasons and credible evidence.

Use the resources avaiable to you and even further research to formulate your claims.

Steve Kristoff:

Help Atom High decide whether or not to adopt year round schooling!

Present your final arguments in a formal writing style, and support your claims with clear reasons and credible evidence.

Use the resources avaiable to you and even further research to formulate your claims.

Jennifer Crowley:

Help Atom High decide whether or not to adopt year round schooling!

Present your final arguments in a formal writing style, and support your claims with clear reasons and credible evidence.

Use the resources avaiable to you and even further research to formulate your claims.

Professor Pimmy:

Help Atom High decide whether or not to adopt year round schooling!

Present your final arguments in a formal writing style, and support your claims with clear reasons and credible evidence.

Use the resources avaiable to you and even further research to formulate your claims.

Dr Strauss:

Help Atom High decide whether or not to adopt year round schooling!

Present your final arguments in a formal writing style, and support your claims with clear reasons and credible evidence.

Use the resources avaiable to you and even further research to formulate your claims.


3.

Public Message (Shortly After previous message)

Begin by coming up with the two claims against the adoption of year-round schooling - what two reasons will you be arguing?

Next, with your group members find all the elements for one argumentative paragraph supporting each reason. Make sure to include your main reason, some explanation of the reason, and clear supporting evidence.

Once you have all the elements together, the claim should be written out in a formal style as one paragraph all in bold. Once this is done you can move on to writing the next paragraph in the same way (Remember! You are starting with just 2 paragraphs arguing against).


4.

Public Message (Shortly After previous message)

It's nearing time to present your 'against' paragraphs...

Did you remember to elaborate on the reasons? Did you provide evidence?

Make sure the completed paragraphs are written all in bold and in a formal style.


5.

Private (Shortly After previous message)

Professor Fenn:

Make sure the claims are all in order: is the reason clearly stated at the beginning of each paragraph?

Make any final changes to your paragraphs now before writing them out all in bold!

Steve Kristoff:

Is there enough elaboration and explanation of the points provided?

Make any final changes to your paragraphs now before writing them out all in bold!

Jennifer Crowley:

Do the sentences in each paragraph flow smoothly and in the right order?

Make any final changes to your paragraphs now before writing them out all in bold!

Professor Pimmy:

Does the reasoning in each pargraph make sense? Is it logical?

Make any final changes to your paragraphs now before writing them out all in bold!

Dr Strauss:

Are the claims written formally and clearly?

Make any final changes to your paragraphs now before writing them out all in bold!


6.

Public Message (Shortly After previous message)

A big thank you to our panelists for that first round of reasoning!

Moving on, we want to hear your opinions supporting the adoption of year-round schooling.

Start by coming up with two claims against the adoption of year-round schooling, and again, put together the elements of a strong argumentative paragraph - one paragraph for each reason.

Make sure to include in each paragraph your main reason, some explanation of the reason, and clear supporting evidence.

Once you have all the elements together, the claims should be written out in a formal style as one paragraph all in bold.


7.

Private (Shortly After previous message)

Professor Fenn:

Is there enough elaboration and explanation of the points provided?

Make any final changes to your paragraphs now before writing them out all in bold!

Steve Kristoff:

Does the reasoning in each pargraph make sense? Is it logical?

Make any final changes to your paragraphs now before writing them out all in bold!

Jennifer Crowley:

Make sure the claims are all in order: is the reason clearly stated at the beginning of each paragraph?

Make any final changes to your paragraphs now before writing them out all in bold!

Professor Pimmy:

Are the claims written formally and clearly?

Make any final changes to your paragraphs now before writing them out all in bold!

Dr Strauss:

Do the sentences in each paragraph flow smoothly and in the right order?

Make any final changes to your paragraphs now before writing them out all in bold!


8.

Public Message (Shortly After previous message)

Some great insights from our panelists on this controversial matter of year-round schooling!

Now that we've had a listen to both sides, let's try our hand at writing some conclusions! Try to write a conclusion that sums up one side of your argument.

Soon, you'll be asked to vote on your opinion of the future for Atom High School.


Vote

Should Atom High adopt year-round schooling for its calendar?



Option 1
Yes
Option 2
No

Ending message for when most people voted for option



Option 1

The panel has voted to suggest that year-round schooling be adopted by Atom High.


Option 2

The panel has voted to reject year-round schooling for Atom High.



Discussion Points

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