https://royalreadersbookstore.com/products/the-57-bus-by-dashka-slater
Discrimination
of Gender-Nonconforming Students in The 57 Bus
AP English Language and Composition
Monik Marte
INTRODUCTION
Read the following article about the definition of
gender nonconforming and annotate the text highlighting your thoughts,
questions, and reactions.
For the past few weeks, we read The 57 Bus and we saw how Sasha being a gender nonconforming student
was discriminated against for wearing a skirt. For this final project, we will
explore the discrimination nonconforming students experience in the United
States.
TASK
Part 1:
Argument Paper
You will write a 5-page argument paper in MLA format
that highlights the effects of discrimination against gender nonconforming
students as identified in The 57 Bus. You will use evidence from the
text to support your research. To clarify this is a shared writing task. That
means that this is a group project therefore, the 5 pages will be completed by
every member of your group. Every group is required to have 2 researchers and 2
presenters. The researchers’ role is to find the outside resources that relate
to the problem you have identified. The presenters’ role is to present your
groups’ findings. In addition, every member’s job is to find pieces of evidence
from The 57 Bus that will help to expand your
analysis and research.
Part 2: Group
Presentation
You may choose one of the following ways to present
your research paper:
● Oral Presentation
● PowerPoint presentation
● Public Service Announcement
(PSA)
PROCESS
To complete this task, you will use the six steps of the Public Policy Analyst (PPA). Keep in
mind that each step will require you to fill out a worksheet. These worksheets
will be posted on Google Classroom. Keep in mind that this is a group work
activity, therefore, you will share the same document and you will record your
answers there.
Day 1: PPA Step #1
Discrimination against a gender nonconforming student was clearly
evident in The 57 Bus but what makes discrimination
against the LGBTQ student population such an important social problem? As you
think about this question, consider how it affects the characters, setting, and
plot in the story, but also how it affects the LGBTQ community. You can use
your own personal experience, research, and evidence from the text to support
your claim. Use the following worksheet to brainstorm:
◆ Define the Problem Worksheet
➔
Day 2:
PPA Step #2
For this step, you will conduct research and find at least three
different types of evidence to prove that the problem you defined yesterday
exists. I have some resources you can use but you may also find your own. If
you do your own research, make sure you confirm the information is valid. You
can click here to find out how to evaluate websites. As you conduct
your research, fill out the following worksheet:
◆ Gather the Evidence Worksheet
➔
Day 3:
PPA Step #3
Use your research from yesterday to identify the causes of the problem
you have defined. Record your causes on the following worksheet:
◆ Identify the Causes Worksheet
➔
Day 4:
PPA Step #4
For today, you will take your research a bit further. You will look
into existing policies that are meant to address your problem. Do you think
these policies are effective in fixing the problem? Do they need to be changed?
Keep these questions in mind as you research and fill out the following
worksheet:
◆ Evaluate an Existing Policy Worksheet
➔
Day 5:
PPA Step #5
For this step, steps 3 and 4 are crucial. Considering all research you have done for the past two days, what are
alternative solutions to your problem? Make sure to provide original solutions
at the level of your problem.
◆ Develop Solutions Worksheet
➔
Day 6:
PPA Step #6
Now that you have come up with some solutions, today you will evaluate
which one is the best. There are two components that make up a great solution:
Feasibility and Effectiveness. Make sure your solution is realistic/achievable
enough to be implemented in our society. Fill the following worksheet to help
you determine your best solution:
◆ Select the Best Solution Worksheet
➔
Day 7, 8,
and 9: Drafting your Research Paper
Using all the information and research you have done for the past few
days, start crafting your research paper. Keep in mind that your research paper
must incorporate all PPA steps.
➔
Day 10,
11, 12: Revising/Editing your Research Paper
For the following three days, you will use this checklist to evaluate if your research paper addresses
all expectations of this task. You will also edit your research paper focusing
specifically on grammar
and making sure the paper is in MLA Format
and has included a Works Cited page.
➔
Day 13:
Planning for your Presentation
In order to ensure you have an effective and engaging presentation,
your group must first agree on the kind of presentation you will give to the
class. By the end of today’s class, you will provide a proposal for your
presentation stating how you will present and what you will include in your
presentation to bring it to life and engage the audience.
➔
Day 14:
Finalizing your Presentation
Today you will practice for your presentations and finish the final
touches for your presentation. Make sure to keep the rubric
in mind to ensure your presentation is heading towards the right direction.
➔
Day 15:
Presentations
Students will present their work. The audience will use this feedback form as a way to evaluate their peers’
presentations.
RESOURCES
https://transequality.org/issues/youth-students
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2022/
https://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/2019-11/Educational_Exclusion_2013.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6248138/
https://www.nyclu.org/sites/default/files/publications/dignityforall_final_201508.pdf
EVALUATION
This is the rubric that will be used to
evaluate your research paper.
This is the rubric that will be used to evaluate your
group presentation.
CONCLUSION
For
the past few weeks, you analyzed the negative effects discrimination has on the
LGBTQ community. You also followed the PPA steps in order to further your
research and find ways to address these issues. As humans, we know that being
discriminated against is not a great feeling therefore, we should advocate for
ourselves and others. https://www.thetrevorproject.org is a great place to start if
you would like to find ways on how to advocate for and be an ally to the LGBTQ
community.
STANDARDS
ELA
11-12W1: Write arguments to support
claims that analyze substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and
relevant and sufficient evidence.
11-12W1a: Introduce precise claim(s), establish
the significance of the claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from
counterclaim(s), and create an organization that logically sequences claims,
counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.
11-12W1b: Develop claim(s) and counterclaim(s)
thoroughly and in a balanced manner, supplying the most relevant evidence for
each while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both, anticipating the
audience’s knowledge level, concerns, values, and possible biases.
11-12W1c: Use precise language,
content-specific vocabulary and literary techniques to express the appropriate
complexity of the topic.
11-12W1d: Use appropriate and varied
transitions, as well as varied syntax, to make critical connections, create
cohesion, and clarify the relationships among complex ideas and concepts.
11-12W1e: Provide a concluding statement or
section that explains the significance of the argument presented.
11-12W1f: Maintain a style and tone appropriate
to the writing task.
11-12W6: Conduct research to answer
questions, including self-generated questions, or solve a problem; narrow or
broaden the inquiry when appropriate. Synthesize multiple sources,
demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.