“I Should Be Allowed”

1. “I Should Be Allowed” One of the hardest things about being a teenager is that there are rules of all sorts that you are forced to follow. There are many things that we wish we were allowed to do, but—for some reason—we are prohibited from doing so. Think of one thing you wish you were permitted to do, and write a letter to the authority figure who has the power to change the rule or guideline that currently prohibits that action.

2. Choosing a Topic: • We once estimated that 200,000 students will be writing the same essay as you. Do your best to find a different and interesting topic that you know a lot about! • Choose a topic that you can argue like an adult. • Adults care about 4 Things: • Money • Safety (Health) • Community (Family) • Education • “Because I want to!” is not an effective argument! (If we can say, “Get over it!” it is not a reason, it is an emotion.)

3. I Should Be Allowed To… Opposing Reasons (Why “they” won’t let me…) Supporting Reasons (Why I should…)

4. I Should Be Allowed To…Use Corporal Punishment in the Classroom Opposing Reasons (Why “they” won’t let me…) • parents should be the ones disciplining students • can be considered child abuse • teaches kids to solve problems with violence • can permanently injure a child • applied disproportionately to boys and certain races of children Supporting Reasons (Why I should…) • learn to respect/fear authority • consequences for actions • fewer behavior problems • safer school environment • better learning environment • fewer detentions, suspensions

6. Students will learn respect for and fear of authority (safety and community) ** schools are limited to detention and suspension * many parents do not discipline * first real consequences can be jail time or probation * juvenile delinquency and crime rates would drop * “made pupils associate wrong-doing with painful results” therefore they avoided breaking school rules – according to a study performed in Kenya where it is currently illegal but still practiced Corporal Punishment (currently legal in 19 states) Safer school environment (safety) For a variety of reasons, teachers should be allowed to practice corporal punishment in the classroom. • Fewer in-school incidents of bullying theft, violence • Hallways, locker rooms, classrooms, and buses will be safer • Students can focus on academics—not their safety • A ban on c.p. will make it “harder for (teachers) to control their students” (New Mexico State Senator Vernon D. Asbill) Teachers will be able to focus on educational, not behavioral problems (education) • Able to focus on rewarding student achievement • Will be able to focus on students who need additional help • Team planning time can be used enrichment activities rather than focusing problems • Discipline problems will not distract weaker students • Schools that have done away with c.p. have seen a decrease in graduation rates (St. Augustine H.S. in New Orleans) • Kenyan schools found that it saved time for teachers and pupils keeping them from missing classroom and extracurricular activity time

7. What is the “Other Side’s” Strongest Argument??? Parents should be in charge of disciplining children • Parents are too busy—often try to be their child’s friend • If a parent does not do their job, who is responsible? How would we fix this problem? • Many parents give their permission to use corporal punishment and support its use in schools

8. “I Should Be Allowed” • Task: Write a letter • Audience (Choose One): Parent(s); Principal; Board of Education; Superintendent; Mayor; Governor; President • Purpose: To persuade an authority figure to allow you to do something that you are not currently allowed to do

10. Body Paragraphs (x 3)

11. Opposing Paragraph (Making Concessions)