The School Board is trying to decide which theory should be taught in schools. Each theory has its own pros and cons and needs to be evaluated before a decision can be made. A debate will be taking place at the next School Board meeting to help decide which theory will be taught in schools.
PA Academic Standards
You have been chosen to participate in this very important event. Before you can be in a debate you need to do some research to help back up your position. Your class will be split into three groups.
Group 1
Pro-Evolution: trying to persuade people to choose Evolution
Group 2
Pro-Creationism: trying to persuade people to choose Creationism
Group 3
School Board Members: responsible for asking the questions of the groups
Questions to Think About
As you are doing your research, use these question to help you decide what is important information and to make sure you have all the information you will need. You should answer each question twice, once for Evolution and once for Creationism.
1. What does the theory state? (main idea)
2. What proof or documentation does this theory have?
3. Why is it such a widely accepted theory? By who?
4. Why would it be valuable for students to learn?
5. Why would it be unfavorable for students to learn?
Useful Websites
Excellent site for both theories
Evolution and Education
Encyclopedia on Darwin
Evolution Theory
Darwinism Refuted
Human Evolution
Great Info on Creation vs. Evolution
Summary of both theories
Games about Evolution and Prehistoric Life
Evolution informations and games
Science and Creationism
Creationism (good resource on creationism but a little harder to understand)
Overview of the Debate (looks at both theories)
Creationism from the point of view of a skeptic
You will be graded as a group based on your performance during the debate. The following rubric will be used to give your group their final grade.
Class Debate : Evolution vs. Creationism | ||||
CATEGORY | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Information | All information presented in the debate was clear, accurate and thorough. | Most information presented in the debate was clear, accurate and thorough. | Most information presented in the debate was clear and accurate, but was not usually thorough. | Information had several inaccuracies OR was usually not clear. |
Use of Facts/ Statistics | Every major point was well supported with several relevant facts, statistics and/or examples. | Every major point was adequately supported with relevant facts, statistics and/or examples. | Every major point was supported with facts, statistics and/or examples, but the relevance of some was questionable. | Every point was not supported. |
Rebuttal | All counter-arguments were accurate, relevant and strong. | Most counter-arguments were accurate, relevant, and strong. | Most counter-arguments were accurate and relevant, but several were weak. | Counter-arguments were not accurate and/or relevant |
Organization | All arguments were clearly tied to an idea (premise) and organized in a tight, logical fashion. | Most arguments were clearly tied to an idea (premise) and organized in a tight, logical fashion. | All arguments were clearly tied to an idea (premise) but the organization was sometimes not clear or logical. | Arguments were not clearly tied to an idea (premise). |
Presentation Style | Team consistently used gestures, eye contact, tone of voice and an energy level that kept the attention of the audience. | Team usually used gestures, eye contact, tone of voice and an energy level that kept the attention of the audience. | Team sometimes used gestures, eye contact, tone of voice and an energy level that kept the attention of the audience. | One or more members of the team had a presentation style that did not keep the attention of the audience. |
Understanding of Topic | The team clearly understood the topic in-depth and presented their information forcefully and convincingly. | The team clearly undestood the topic in-depth and presented their information with ease. | The team seemed to understand the main points of the topic and presented those with ease. | The team did not show an adequate understanding of the topic. |
Respect for Other Team | All statements, body language, and responses were respectful and were in appropriate language. | Statements and responses were respectful and used appropriate language, but once or twice body language was not. | Most statements and responses were respectful and in appropriate language, but there was one sarcastic remark. | Statements, responses and/or body language were consistently not respectful. |
V. CONCLUSION
Now that you have learned about both sides of this debate, which theory would you choose and why? Did you come across anything you would want to research further? Could you believe in both theories at the same time? Why is it important for everyone in society to remember there is more than one theory out there?
Created by:
Michelle
Corinne
Jenn
Questions? Comments?
Email mpregler7@msn.com