Topics and Groups Research - links to websites

1. Language Arts 8
DEBATE RESEARCH

2. GROUP 1
Topic: Cellphones should be allowed in schools
Government Opposition
PRO CON
Trinity and Germaine Rocco and Shauna

3. GROUP 2
Topic: Zoos do more harm than good.
Government Opposition
PRO CON
Carol-Anne and Jada Tyler and Diana

4. GROUP 3
Topic: Homework should be banned .
Government Opposition
PRO CON
Kennedi and Ahrmel Dylan and Arynne

5. GROUP 4
 Topic: Television is a bad influence on children.
Government Opposition
PRO CON
Nina, Marcy and Laci-Rae Danny, Terrie and Victoria

6. Cell phones should be allowed in schools.
• Schools Try to Draw the Line for Wired Kids
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/topstory/3308
900
This article, from the Houston Chronicle, is useful for both
sides to prepare. It explains the arguments for both sides of
the debate about cell phones in schools.
• Schools Make Rules for Cell Phone No-Nos
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,133208,00.html
This is another article that will help both sides in the debate.
Reporter Catherine Donaldson-Evans shows how schools are
reacting to cell phones in schools and what some of the
consequences of restricting phones might be. She also shows
that regulations may be more effective than a simple ban on
phones.

7. Zoos do more harm than good.
 About Zoos
http://www.goodzoos.com/about.htm
This website contains useful information for the opposition. This article
serves as an introduction. If you go to the bottom of the page, there are also
links to articles about how zoos help conservation, research, and recreation.
There is also an article about whether zoos are cruel.
 The Facts About Zoos
http://www.advocatesforanimals.org.uk/resources/captive/zoos.html
This site is most helpful for the proposition. The site provides background
information about the about the conservation of endangered species,
alternative ways for children to learn about animals (other than visiting
zoos), and facts about how often zoos release animals into the wild.
 Endangered Species
http://www.endangeredspecie.com/
This site is useful for both the proposition and the opposition. It provides
information about the causes of endangerment, reasons to save endangered
species, laws that protect endangered species, and more. This site is a good
resource for background information on the topic.

8. Homework should be banned.
• Homework and Its Role in Constructive Pedagogy
http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/plato1/constructhome/i
ndex.html
The proposition and opposition can browse this site for
information. The site contains research and statistics on
both sides of the homework debate.
• The Homework Ate My Family
 http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,184
28,00.html
 The proposition can use this article to prepare. Time
Magazine explains how homework is ebbing away at
student health and family life.

9. Television is a bad influence on children.
 BBC News Health: Watching TV 'is Bad for Children'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3603235.stm
This article is especially helpful to the proposition. The article explains new research
that suggests that TV has bad impacts on child development. There are also
additional links to other articles about how TV has been positively linked with
learning disorders and obesity.
 Kids Health: How TV Affects Your Child
http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/tv_affects_child.html
This website is helpful to the proposition. This article explains how TV affects
development, obesity, and other behaviors in children.
 University of Michigan: Your Child and Television
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/yourchild/tv.htm
This University of Michigan site is useful for the proposition. There are research and
statistics given about how television impacts the mental, physical, and emotional
health of children.
 Children's Television Shows Have a New Healthy Message for Kids
http://kidstvmovies.about.com/od/childrenstvnewsinfo/a/tvhealth.htm
The opposition will find relevant information in this article. Carey Bryson explains
how television can help children learn healthy behaviors.