Justice for All

A fishbowl conversation is used when discussing topics within large groups as several people can join the discussion and this allows everyone to participate in the chat (Atkinson, 2009).

A few participants start the fishbowl conversation, while the rest of the audience sits around and listens in to the main discussion. Every two to three minutes any member of the audience can join the conversation while an existing member of the fishbowl voluntarily leaves and frees another chair.  The purpose of the fishbowl is to have students post to the Jamboard which will generate potential research topics. 

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

What does it mean to each person who recites the pledge?

Post your reactions and thoughts to the video on this Jamboard. 

Throughout this research unit, you will choose a topic to explore based on the question, “What is Justice?” 12 Angry Men written by Reginald Rose and the To Kill a Mockingbird novel by Harper Lee address the United States justice system and the flaws that exist within them. 

Keeping these ideas in mind, choose a topic that interests you related to the concept of justice. Ideas could include concepts of diversity, prejudice, bias, discrimination, privilege, moral responsibility and systems of oppression. You are not limited to just these options, but your topic must be approved.

Do NOW Jamboard Activity

Step One: Together we will read the article, “What ‘Justice’ Really Means” By Paul Bloomfield and evaluate this article by answering the questions on the CRAAP (Currency, Relevancy, Accuracy, Authority, Purpose) Worksheet. 

• • New York Times Subscription: UN:peyer@socsd.org PW:8456801670

Watch the video below to learn how to use the C.R.A.A.P test.

Step Two: Find four credible sources related to justice. Continue to use the CRAAP (Currency, Relevancy, Accuracy, Authority, Purpose) Worksheet.  As you begin to search and increase your knowledge base, you will inevitably find topics you will want to delve into.  Remember to read laterally. When using the internet implement the  Better Searches, Better Results we practiced earlier. When looking for various perspectives on a a specific topic it is extremely important to pull articles from multiple sites on the same day, ensuring that they were from the same news cycle.

Step Three: Select a specific topic to research. Research, save and annotate your articles.

Below are a few suggested TZHS library databases: 

• • • CQ Researcher UN:tzhs PW:8456801670
    • ABC-CLIO UN:tzstudent PW:Dutchmen
    • EBSCO HOST UN:tzhs PW:student21!
    • GALE GENERAL REFERENCE CENTER GOLD UN:tzhs PW:look
    • CSPAN Create your own username and password
    • FACTCITE UN:tzhs PW:library

Step Four: Annotating and article notes. When reading your articles, it is important to remember key information.  Annotate the articles, so finding the facts and important information is a bit easier when you begin the writing process. Watch the video below to gain a better understanding of what it means to annotate.

Step Five: An argumentative or persuasive piece of writing must begin with a debatable thesis or claim. n argumentative or persuasive piece of writing must begin with a debatable thesis or claim. 

Write a Claim/Thesis Statement

THINK: D.A.R.E.I. Define your terms + assertion + reason + evidence + impact = Claim (Any combination and order of these ideas will work!)

Step Six: Works Cited Page. A works cited page is an alphabetized list of your sources using the Modern Language Association (MLA) format.  A works cited page serves to show the reader where the information is from giving the source credit for the information and ideas. 

Watch the video below to get a better understanding of why a works cited page is important.

Step 7: Outlining the information. Now is time to organize your research in a coherent manner. Using your annotated articles, fill in the outline. Make sure to note which article information is from.  Use the author’s last name or first word or two from the Works Cited page as your “signal” word. You will need to use this in your paper as well. 

Please watch the video below titled, “What are in-text citations?