1. Turn-of-the-Century Fishbowl Debates
Triumph or tragedy?
How well did the U. S.’s actions help move us toward our ideals?

2. What is a fishbowl? It’s where you keep a fish, duh!
It’s clear, so that you can watch the fish
Weirdly staring as the fish does very little , other than swim
You can also make the weird “fishy face” and convince yourself that the fish is as interested in you as you are in the fish, even though you are really just lying to yourself
Anything the fish does, you witness

3. And for this assignment…?
You will be having a small group presentation and debate in front of the class, then answer the guiding question with a thesis
No one from the class will be participating, just observing (till question time at the end)
You should present both sides of the issue before you present your group’s thesis
You should be debating, not just presenting, after you give background and before you give resolution and thesis
Your points should be grounded in the evidence provided
Victory should not be the only goal. Your group needs to make sure that all information is presented

4. The Debates: U. S. Triumph or Tragedy?
The debates you are having are examples of some of the key issues around the turn of the century, they exemplify American attitudes at the time and help shape America moving forward.
Guiding Questions:
What is America saying through its actions (think ideals)?
What position does this put the United States in going forward?

5. Logistics What is the background? Why is it an issue?
What are the two sides of the issue?
What evidence supports each side?
How is it resolved and how does it impact America moving forward?
Triumph or tragedy? Thesis!

6. Presentation Requirements
Background
This can be on a handout you provide to the class, or something you display on the projector
Slides with two-sided tables displaying the best arguments for each side to be displayed during the debate
The debate should be a discussion, many of the discussions require you to use the “logic” of the era
Resolution & recent connection and overall thesis
Slides or handouts (could be the same as background) giving your group’s thesis (triumph or tragedy?) and explaining what became of the issue, including a timeline and major events and how it may be related to issues recently gaining public attention

7. The Scoring Topic Background Debate Resolution & Developments
40 points for group 10 8
6 or below
Topic Background
Clear, explicit, multi-faceted, well explained includes any nuances or side issues
Clear, factual and accurate.
Unclear, minor inconsistencies or incomplete
Debate
impressively prepared and smoothly delivered with depth, shows expert understanding
clear and well-prepared and informative lacking in delivery or depth
organized and clear but requires more explanation to fill in all necessary points
Resolution & Developments
Clear factual and accurate
Recent Connection
Recent connections apply broadly to policy and precedent
Recent connections are included, but only as they specifically relate the topic being debated
Connections incorrect or omitted

8. Group member evaluation10 8 6 4
Leader, or team member who embraced their role with depth and a high level of understanding. No one had to worry, at any point, about if this person would complete their tasks or how well they would do their job
Did what was asked of them, in a timely manner, and did a quality job. Did not take a leadership role, did not go above the base expectation
Participated, completed tasks, did the bare minimum, or required others to help get them to the required level of expectation
Other people had to pick up the slack for this person who was not reliable, or did not complete tasks

9. Resources: Library Databases
Start with TCI. Then use the databases
Imagequest
Issues and Controversies in American History
History Study Center
U. S. History in Context
Proquest