1. Puerto Rican Statehood Debate 9 th Grade Hartford Social Studies By Alexander Loy; Kyle Loder Should Puerto Rico be made a state within the United States of America?

2. The Connecticut Framework K-12 Curricular Goals And Standards (Social Studies) formulate historical questions and hypotheses from multiple perspectives, using multiple sources Identify various parties and analyze their interest in conflicts from selected historical periods identify and analyze the various domestic, political, economic and social interests which play roles in the development of foreign policy

3. Learning Objectives of the 5-Day Curriculum Students will learn the historical context of Puerto Rico’s relationship with the United States of America, and its current political status. Students will hone interpersonal intelligence by collaborating with their peers. Students will learn to think critically about their personal viewpoints, their assessment of opposing arguments, and how to defend their own positions. Students will develop the research skills necessary to produce an informed argument.

4. Bloom’s Taxonomy

5. Day One: Briefing and Background Guest Speaker: Louis Figueroa, Professor of History at Trinity College. Lecture on history of Puerto Rico. Initial Response Explain Structure of Unit

6. Day Two: Grouping Random Grouping – Heterogeneous groups – Detracking – Cooperative Learning Pro Statehood, Continuation as Territory, Judge Panel Begin Research in Computer Lab

7. Day Three: Research Youtube Clip: Puerto Rico Referendum (background of statehood debate.) – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2LoMnrLKFY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2LoMnrLKFY Continue group research

8. Day Four: Judge Integration Judges present questions to the class 2 to each group, to introduce additional arguments and viewpoints Students compile their research and prepare for debate

9. Day Five: Debate Instructor Moderator. Judges prompt both sides with prepared questions. Pro Statehood first, followed by Continuation as Territory

10. Evaluation Participation (cooperative learning) Engagement in research (critical thinking) Preparedness for debate (knowledge of historical context; formulation of arguments) Quality of oral presentation during debate (interpersonal intelligence; communication) *Peer review (accountability)

11. Resources Louis Figueroa, Associate Professor of History at Trinity College School Computer Lab Youtube video: Puerto Rico Referendum Approves U.S. Statehood for 1st Time, But Results Show Divided Views – Overhead projector, or shown individually in computer lab Newspapers (online search: Puerto Rico Statehood; Annex Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico) – The Hartford Courant – The New York Times – The Boston Herald – Washington Post Websites – CNN Politics: http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/05/politics/puerto-rico-statehoodhttp://www.cnn.com/2012/12/05/politics/puerto-rico-statehood – Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2010: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/111/hr2499#overviewhttp://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/111/hr2499#overview – Constitution of Puerto Rico: http://www.topuertorico.org/constitu.shtmlhttp://www.topuertorico.org/constitu.shtml