Navigation

Archive | Topical

Automatic Voter Registration

November 9, 2015

BU005259Before a citizen can vote, he or she must register to vote. Sometimes, for whatever reason, that does not happen. People forget, or do not care, or just do not register to vote. Therefore, when an election comes around, they are ineligible to vote.

The “iVote” organization in California wants everyone who gets a driver’s license to be automatically registered to vote, which  will lead to a big increase in eligible voters. But does that mean that they will actually vote in an election? What do you think?

Read the NY Times article.

By in Topical 0

Prison Debate Team Beats Harvard

October 30, 2015

prisonIn 2015 our debate topic was “Should private prisons be legal?”

Now read about how a prison debate team has beaten Harvard University debate team.

(The TweenTribune article has different reading/lexile levels; choose the one best for you.)

It goes to show you that just because a person is in prison does not mean that they are not smart.

By in Topical 0

Irish Penny Famine?

October 30, 2015

In 2010, our debate topic was “The United States should discontinue its use of the penny.” Is Ireland getting rid of its pennies?

 

“BACK STORY

The story of the slowly disappearing 1 cent coin adds another chapter on Wednesday.

That’s when shops in Ireland, on a voluntary basis, can start rounding cash purchases in euros up or down to the nearest 5 cents, to reduce the need for 1 and 2 cent coins. (A euro cent is equivalent to about 1.1 U.S. cents.)

irishpenniesRounding is likely to be extremely popular, judging by a trial run in which 85 percent of consumers and 100 percent of retailers wanted to see it spread nationwide.

The Central Bank of Ireland says that, in euros, it costs 1.65 cents to make a 1 cent coin, and 1.94 cents for a 2 cent one. (In the U.S., the mint says a penny costs 1.7 cents to produce and distribute.)

Countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Finland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Britain have dropped their lowest-denominated coins over the last 30 years or so.

The U.S. did too, back in 1857, when the half-cent coin was eliminated, followed by the end of 2 and 3 cent coins.

How long will the American penny last? Some coin experts say for only about 10 years.

Victoria Shannon contributed reporting.”

(From NY Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/27/nytnow/latest-news-afghanistan-south-china-sea-kansas-city-royals.html, retrieved October 27, 2015.

By in Topical 0

Prison Reform in the News

June 9, 2015

As we celebrate our Debate Championships and the end of another exciting school year, many believe that the tragic story of Kalief Browder sheds more light on changes that are needed in our criminal justice system. While Kalief’s case if not strictly a matter of public vs. private, many Americans agree that our prison system needs reform. What do you think?

Kalief Browder, Held at Rikers Island for 3 Years Without Trial, Commits Suicide (From The New York Times)
Before the Law: A boy was accused of taking a backpack. The courts took the next three years of his life. (From New Yorker)
By in Topical 0

Brainpop Resources

May 11, 2015

prisonTo understand the current debate topic better, it may help to understand the different court systems in the United States.

Brainpop has two good videos: Trials and Court System. Also, explore the “FYI” tab of the Court Systems page, which lists the different types of courts in the country, as well as what can happen to young people convicted of crime.

And, if you have not already done so, you should definitely watch the movie Debate.

Use your school’s account to access Brainpop.com

By in Topical 0
Older posts Newer posts