Atomic Bomb Debate

Day One: Everyone will be presented with information about the ending of World War II in Japan. A video showing the aftermath of the fallout damage may be disturbing for some viewers. You are not required to watch, but it does add emotional impact to this event. Students will then sign up for which side they want to debate. If one side has the majority of the class then students from that side will be randomly picked to switch sides. The teacher will hand out the instructions and another sign up sheet for student to choose which role they want. For students that are unable to or unwilling to participate in the debate are allowed to instead write a one-page paper with further instructions. Students will be assigned homework to begin researching their positions and finding sources. 

Day Two: Student will meet as a group to share information and will have the entire class to research their topic online or through books in the library. Students that are not presenting will be able to work on their paper. 

Research Terms:
Victory in Europe Day- May 8, 1945
Yalta Conference- February 11, 1945
Potsdam Conference- August 2, 1945
Battle of Iwo Jima- March 22, 1945
Battle of Okinawa- June 22, 1945
Manhattan Project
Trinity Test- July 16, 1945

Research Sources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-WnLNLe3sk&t=2s
https://www.atomicheritage.org/history/debate-over-bomb
http://www.ushistory.org/us/51g.asp

If you are not speaking or questioning you will turn in a one page report that details the evidence supporting your side. It must include a intro, three supporting evidence, and a conclusion. The quotes must be in APA format. While you can work with your classmates and have similar supporting point, plagiarizing will result in a zero. 

Citations: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/general_format.html

Day Three: Students will have an informal presentation to the teacher alone with feedback on areas that they need to improve on. This will be the last day for in-class research and discussion

Day Four: Students will present their arguments in front of the class and students that wrote a paper will turn it in. The presenters will go in order from

1. Opener

2. Supporting Points

3. Counter Arguments

4. Conclusions

Next the Questionnaires will ask and respond to their counterparts. 

Afterwords, we will have a group discussion on our thoughts about the topic.