How can I persuade you ...

Students in fourth and fifth grades are reading about a topic of current interest before writing a persuasive essay. Several of these articles (note quotation marks) are found using Sirs Discoverer, available to MCPS students. Many articles, especially those on the Internet, are intended for adults, so students may need assistance in reading this support material.

Student Resources

Magazine Articles

SIRS Discoverer
Newsbank's SchoolMate Kids Page

Fourth Grade
Should there be gun control?	Best in Information on the Net (BIOTN): Gun Control Site posted by librarians at St. Ambrose University. Firearms and Crime Statistics U.S. Department of Justice Gun Control: targeting a Life and Death Issue Court TV Student Pledge Against Gun Violence Violence Policy Center
Do television/video games have a negative effect?	Are You Concerned About the Effects of Television on Your Children The Reflection on the Screen: Television's Image of Children Television, Videos and Young Children These articles ave available in Sirs Discoverer: "TV Violence" "Virtual Violence: Media Mayhem Damages Society" "Groups Link Media, Kids' Violence" " Entertainment Violence To Be Probed"
Should students wear school uniforms?	A Careful Look at Pro-Uniform Arguments Pauline's School Uniforms and Dress Codes Page Should your school tell you what to wear? We have rights too! ACLU of Northern California Manual on school uniforms These articles ave available in Sirs Discoverer: "Do school uniforms stifle expression or protect students?" "Dress code concerns: concealed weapons, concealing flesh" "I visited a school in England" "Should you have to wear a school uniform? "Think dress codes are a drag?" "With uniforms becoming norm, students strive for non-conformity"
Should there be year round schooling?	Year-Round Schooling Has Educational Advantages Going to School Year-Round Is Year-Round Schooling the Answer? Year-Round Schooling Pros and Cons These articles ave available in Sirs Discoverer: "Back (and Back and Back) to School" "Does School + More School = Smarter Kids?" "Crowding Into a Year-Round Schedule" "So Long Summer Fun? "A Matter of Time"
Should students be required to do community service?	Why Should You Get Involved in Community Service Service Learning Required Volunteers in Action! Bringing Service to the Classroom These articles ave available in Sirs Discoverer: "Forced to Volunteer" "Community Service & You"
Should there be changes in the school lunches?	Healthy Eating for a Lifetime How To Change the Food in Your Child's School Starting Good Eating Habits in the Lunchroom School Lunch Report Card School Lunch Menu Makeover These articles ave available in Sirs Discoverer: "Salsa joins the school lunch menu in the vegetable category" "25,000,000 Lunches a Day" "What's For Lunch?" "Kids Love Prepackaged Lunches" "Cutting the Sugar in New York City Schools"
Should kids say no to drugs?	Pick a Brain ... And Get the Facts Mind Over Matter National Institute on Drug Abuse SGR4Kids Smoking What's Up With Prescription and Over-the-Counter drugs? DEA What's Up With Inhalants? DEA What's Up With Marijuana? DEA What's Up With LSD? DEA What's up with Methamphetamine? DEA What's Up With Cocaine & Crack? DEA What's Up With Heroin? DEA Say No To Drugs Madiha These articles ave available in Sirs Discoverer: "Why People Take Drugs" "Objection ... Sustained" "Drugs and Alcohol" "How To Avoid the Drug Trap"
Should you smoke?	The Brain's Response to Nicotine National Institute on Drug Abuse Child and Teen Tobacco Use American Cancer Society Information About Smoking: A Guide for Teens Picture This ... Don't Smoke Virtual Children's Hospital Smoking and Your Child: What Parents Should Know Smoking and Tobacco Virtual Children's Hospital Surgeon General's Report for Kids About Smoking U. S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Tobacco Explained: 3. Marketing to children Action on Smoking and Health "Cornell child abuse expert says it's time to recognize smoking as child abuse" Cornell University Science News These articles ave available in Sirs Discoverer: "Tobacco: A Hazardous Substance" "Smoking Stinks!" "Smoking and Girls: A Deadly Mix" "How Can I Quit Smoking?"

Encyclopedias

World Book Encyclopedia MCPS only
New Book of Knowledge MCPS only
Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia MCPS only

Teacher Feature

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Updated on April 7, 2005,
Maintained by MaryBeth_Castonguay@fc.mcps.k12.md.us, School Library Media Specialist