Step 1
With a partner, brainstorm ideas about what you would want or need to know about a high school. Some things to consider may be: distance from your home, size or student enrollment, type of athletics offered, type of clubs offered, overall graduation rate, daily schedules (hours vs. block), tutoring programs, do they offer the A+ program or other college scholarships, etc.
Remember that the information you are gathering is an overall view of the school, not just what you feel is important. To convince your parents, you will need as much information as possible to create a strong argument for the high school you choose.
Create a list of all the information you would like to know about each school.
With your partner, find another pair to form a small group. Within your small group, discuss your list of questions. Add to your list any questions that you and your partner feel are important.
With your partner, create a table of your questions. You will use this table to take notes during your research. You may use our wiki, Microsoft Word, etc. to create your table. Use what will be the most effective for you.
Remember that the information you are gathering is an overall view of the school, not just what you feel is important. To convince your parents, you will need as much information as possible to create a strong argument for the high school you choose.
Create a list of all the information you would like to know about each school.
With your partner, find another pair to form a small group. Within your small group, discuss your list of questions. Add to your list any questions that you and your partner feel are important.
With your partner, create a table of your questions. You will use this table to take notes during your research. You may use our wiki, Microsoft Word, etc. to create your table. Use what will be the most effective for you.
Step 2
You will be working in pairs to complete this step. Assign each group member to research two high schools: Bradleyville, Forsyth, Lutie, and choose one other area high school (to provide contrast-Ava, Gainesville, Branson, etc.) Using the tables of questions you created in Step 1, research the following school websites to find answers.
Step 3
You may not have found all the information you wanted to find about each high school. That is understandable. Your next task will be to form groups of 4. With your group, go over your tables to make sure your information matches your group members'. Be ready to defend and support the answers you have. Add any information you may have missed, or correct information that is not factual.
Next, create a list of the questions that are still unanswered. Your next step will be to contact the guidance counselors of each school to find the answers to your remaining questions. Proofread your list to insure that your questions make sense and are questions that a school guidance counselor will be able to answer. Then assign a school to each of your group members.
Step 4
The next piece to your puzzle will be to contact the school guidance counselors. Get with your group of four that you formed in Step 3. Within your group, discuss phone etiquette and/or email etiquette. (What you might say to or ask the counselors before bombarding them with questions.) This may include introducing yourself, explaining why you are calling/emailing, telling them what you want from them, asking them if this is a convenient time, etc.
Contact the counselor that you are assigned to, either by email or phone call. Try to complete your table of questions with answers you receive. Be receptive to information the counselors give you that may or may not be on your table of questions. Be sure to thank them for their time and for the information.
Step 5
You will complete this step on your own. Using all the information you and your group members have gathered, it is time to create a persuasive presentation. This presentation will be given at a Family Night scheduled for you and your parents to discuss high school opportunities.
This is your opportunity to showcase the high school that you would like to attend. By comparing schools and providing well-thought out arguments as to why you have chosen the school you did, this gives you and your parents a chance to openly communicate about your high school choice.
Some ideas for your presentation include: PowerPoint, Prezi, Smart Notebook, videos, poster visual aides, etc. Use your creativity and your persuasive powers!
Next, create a list of the questions that are still unanswered. Your next step will be to contact the guidance counselors of each school to find the answers to your remaining questions. Proofread your list to insure that your questions make sense and are questions that a school guidance counselor will be able to answer. Then assign a school to each of your group members.
Step 4
The next piece to your puzzle will be to contact the school guidance counselors. Get with your group of four that you formed in Step 3. Within your group, discuss phone etiquette and/or email etiquette. (What you might say to or ask the counselors before bombarding them with questions.) This may include introducing yourself, explaining why you are calling/emailing, telling them what you want from them, asking them if this is a convenient time, etc.
Contact the counselor that you are assigned to, either by email or phone call. Try to complete your table of questions with answers you receive. Be receptive to information the counselors give you that may or may not be on your table of questions. Be sure to thank them for their time and for the information.
Step 5
You will complete this step on your own. Using all the information you and your group members have gathered, it is time to create a persuasive presentation. This presentation will be given at a Family Night scheduled for you and your parents to discuss high school opportunities.
This is your opportunity to showcase the high school that you would like to attend. By comparing schools and providing well-thought out arguments as to why you have chosen the school you did, this gives you and your parents a chance to openly communicate about your high school choice.
Some ideas for your presentation include: PowerPoint, Prezi, Smart Notebook, videos, poster visual aides, etc. Use your creativity and your persuasive powers!