FINAL PROJECT: Abstract and Reader's Reponse > Vaccines Curriculum
S -- how can you address this reader? Point to the science? Did you find sample communication or guidance for this situation? How do other school districts manage this type of parent conflict?
Instead of creating a curriculum, you are really gathering materials to supplement the texts on immunology and vaccines. This is more realistic for you, until you have been teaching for, say, four or more years.
How are those sources coming?
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Consider this opening:
In advanced high school biology, immunology topics are central to understanding human resistance and vulnerability to disease. Studying this content area of physiology also prepares students to think about medical interventions like vaccines.... (START WITH THE SCIENCE)
REPLACES THIS
about vaccines because they are a very important topic in today’s society and there is a lot of controversy that surrounds them.
Instead of creating a curriculum, you are really gathering materials to supplement the texts on immunology and vaccines. This is more realistic for you, until you have been teaching for, say, four or more years.
How are those sources coming?
---
Consider this opening:
In advanced high school biology, immunology topics are central to understanding human resistance and vulnerability to disease. Studying this content area of physiology also prepares students to think about medical interventions like vaccines.... (START WITH THE SCIENCE)
REPLACES THIS
about vaccines because they are a very important topic in today’s society and there is a lot of controversy that surrounds them.
May 7, 2015 |
Marybeth Shea
Marybeth Shea
I am creating a curriculum about vaccines because they are a very important topic in today’s society and there is a lot of controversy that surrounds them. With students growing up in a society that has become so polarized regarding vaccines, this is necessary for them to become educated on what vaccines are and the facts about them. My curriculum will be for a high school class that is an Advanced Placement class, to be used as a mini unit after the AP Exam. The goal is to allow students to understand a brief history of vaccines, what vaccines are composed of, alternatives to vaccines and herd immunity, and to clear up any misconceptions students may have. Students will learn about the controversy surrounding vaccines by reading various case studies, articles, and blog posts. While reading, students will engage in discussion with their peers to discuss the main points of the articles and to compile notes on the benefits or harmful effects that may be associated with vaccines. Video clips will also be shown to give different perspectives on the topic as well as provide examples of the progress that has been done in terms of public health. During this research period, students should be able to clear up any misconceptions they may have had. The curriculum ends with students using their notes to debate whether parents should be required to vaccinate their children if their students are to attend public school.
WC=242
Reader’s Response:
Reader’s profile I would imagine would be students who are already biased in one way regarding vaccinations, or parents and staff members who feel very strongly about vaccines in a certain one way. Specifically, I will take the profile of the parent.
Teaching young, impressionable students about vaccines in an educational setting is irresponsible. This is not ethical because students will be persuaded to take a certain side on the issue, especially if the teacher has a personal view on the issue. Not only will they be more likely to take the same stance as the teacher due to the teacher being seen as an authority figure who is extremely knowledgeable, but also because the teacher is very likely to present material that is in favor of their viewpoint. How fair can this curriculum really be unless you have two different viewpoints being presented with an equal number of sources and thorough research from both sides?