Homework Assignment
The National Immigration Forum reports that 30 percent of native-born
Americans are strongly anti-immigrant. Another 40 percent characterize
themselves as "on the fence," unsure whether immigrants constitute a
positive or negative presence in America. This project will help you
to understand why those people feel the way they do while also helping
you come to your own conclusions regarding the positives & negatives
of immigration.
Introduction:
Below are 10 statements related to the controversial
issue of immigration in America in 2009-2010. I will
hand out slips of paper for all of us to vote on each
statement (one slip per statement). For each
statement, write one of four answers – Strongly Agree,
Agree Somewhat, Disagree Somewhat, Strongly Disagree.
Then I will collect them & see where we stand on the
issue of immigration BEFORE you look up any
information on it.
Directions:
You will choose one of the topics from the list on the
next page to argue in support of. Then you will
perform your own research on the topic. You must come
up with an argument to support your topic, list &
explain the evidence you based that argument on, list
& explain the evidence against your argument (what
someone who disagrees with you would say), and finally
create a response to someone who would argue with you.
Options:
1. You may choose any of the topics from the list
2. You may write out the arguments by hand or type
them
3. You may use any sources to find evidence to support
your argument (internet, books, articles, etc.)
Grade:
1. Explain your argument in at least 2 paragraphs (5
sentences per paragraph) – 40 points
2. List & explain the evidence you used to make that
argument (the facts you are basing your argument on)
in at least 1 paragraph (5 sentences) – 20 points
3. List & explain the evidence against your argument
(the facts that someone would use to argue against
you) in at least 1 paragraph (5 sentences) – 20 points
4. Explain how you would respond to the facts someone
would use to argue against you in at least 2
paragraphs (5 sentences each) – 40 points
Due Date:
_______________________________
TOPICS FOR IMMIGRATION DEBATE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
There are too many immigrants
coming to the United States.
The U.S. government should
put more Immigration and
Naturalization Service border
patrol agents on the border
with Mexico.
Illegal immigrants take away
jobs from U.S. citizens.
U.S. immigration policy has
been fair to all groups
entering the U.S.
If a country is having
economic problems, the U.S.
should allow its residents to
come here for a better life.
Immigration has helped the
United States.
Having a variety of cultures
and languages in America
benefits everyone.
8.
Most immigrants come to the
U.S. just to get on welfare.
9. Everyone who comes to the
U.S. should be required to
learn English.
10. If a country is having
political problems, the U.S.
should allow persecuted
citizens from this country to
seek asylum here.
Name_____________________________________
Date____________________
Period_____
Immigration Debate
TOPIC
My argument is that… (40 points)
Evidence for my Argument… (20 points)
Evidence against my argument…
(20 points)
Rebuttal to evidence against my argument… (40 Points)
The Great Depression – Homework Assignment
Rubric
We Don’t Need No Im mi gra tion
American History II – 9th Grade
Mr. Konecke
Student Name:_______________________________
Criteria
0-8
points
9-16
points
17-24
points
25-32
points
33-40
Points
Argument
for your
topic
0-2
3-4
sentences
sentences
supporting supporting
your
your
argument
argument
Argument
against
your
opponent
0-2
sentences
against
your
opponent
Criteria
Evidence
FOR your
argument
Evidence
AGAINST
your
argument
5-6
sentences
supporting
your
argument
7-8
sentences
supporting
your
argument
9-10
sentences
supporting
your
argument
3-4
sentences
against
your
opponent
5-6
sentences
against
your
opponent
7-8
sentences
against
your
opponent
9-10
sentences
against
your
opponent
0-4
points
5-8
points
9-12
points
13-16
points
17-20
points
0-1
sentences
explaining
evidence
for your
argument
0-1
sentences
explaining
evidence
against
your
argument
2
sentences
explaining
evidence
for your
argument
2
sentences
explaining
evidence
against
your
argument
3
sentences
explaining
evidence
for your
argument
3
sentences
explaining
evidence
against
your
argument
4
sentences
explaining
evidence
for your
argument
4
sentences
explaining
evidence
against
your
argument
5
sentences
explaining
evidence
for your
argument
5
sentences
explaining
evidence
against
your
argument
Final Grade:
Comments:
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