| by Esther Zack, Target Science |
Procedure - Lesson Sheet Part III Procedure:
[Note: Consider doing this activity after a field trip to the river, if possible. Students would then have a better opportunity to understand the various points of view regarding the river's future. Even without the trip, the activity should follow a study of the river.]
Ask the students to think of situations in which they have had to explain their point of view to someone in a convincing way (e.g., explaining to their parents that they want to go somewhere with their friends, they want their curfew extended, or they want an increase in their allowance). Tell them that often in the community situations arise which require that a decision be made. Groups that have opinions on various sides of the situation will come before a decision-making body to state those opinions and attempt to influence the decision, like students trying to get their parents to decide in their favor. The decision-makers, very much like parents, take all sides into consideration and then render a decision based on the validity of the arguments presented.
In the following activity, students will be given an opportunity to "argue" a case for a certain point of view about plans for the future of the Los Angeles River.
1. Divide the class into groups of 4-5 students. Give each group an identity corresponding to the position papers and choose one group of 5 to be the Board of Supervisors.
2. Have students read their group's "point of view" statement and caucus with each other on how best to present their argument for their plan for the L.A. River. Give them about 15-20 minutes for group discussion. (You can make this project more complex--especially in secondary--if you want them to do their own research, and/or gather visual aids such as charts or pictures to assist in their presentation.)
3. Each group selects a spokesperson and is given 5 minutes to address the Board of Supervisors to present their case. (Draw numbers to determine who presents first.) A timekeeper should be appointed by the Board.
4. After all presentations, the Supervisors caucus to decide on which point of view, or combination thereof, is the most valid. They then state what the policy will be on the future of the Los Angeles River.
5. After the decision is made, view the video "No Way Out" (a video on the dangers of being near the L.A. River during the flood stages) and discuss it with students. Ask them if their point of view on what should happen to the river was changed as a result of viewing the video. Also ask them to consider if the video has a particular viewpoint/purpose and if other points of view could still be considered even in the light of the video.
Los Angeles River Connection is a part of LAEP
Learning Exchange.