Module 4: States of Consciousness
Debating School Start Time
Now that you have learned more about the importance of sleep, you will delve into how the brain and body are affected if you do not get an adequate amount. By using the websites below, research the mental, physical, and psychological consequences of not receiving enough sleep. Specifically focus on the impacts on adolescents. As you research, take notes using the Consequences of Sleeping Research Guide to organize your findings. Visit the below websites to complete your research.
Submit your work to the dropbox when you have completed the Consequences of Sleeping Research Guide.
After conducting research, write a letter to a fictitious school board member requesting that the school start time be changed for high school students based on research you found on consequences of not receiving enough sleep. You may take on the role of a parent, student, or concerned community member. Your argument should be based on the research but may include personal experiences as well.
Address the following questions in your letter:
- How can starting school later in the morning benefit students?
- What are the effects of sleep deprivation?
- What effect could later schedules have on academic achievement?
As you write the persuasive letter, include the following elements:
- Salutation
- Body of Letter
- Introduction of topic
- State your point of view
- Present a minimum of three logical reasons for your position
- Use facts to back up each stated opinion
- Cite sources within the letter
- Conclusion
- Restate main ideas
- Summarize and conclude your argument
Before you begin, access the Debating School Start Time Checklist to make sure you include all of the items required for full credit. Submit your work to the dropbox when you have completed the persuasive letter.
Reflection
After you have completed the assignment, think about the following scenario, and write your responses to the corresponding questions. Submit your work to the dropbox when you have completed your reflection.
Think of sleep as a bank. If you accrue a sleep debt, you must pay it down like you would if you had financial debt. Has thinking of sleep this way changed your opinion of its importance? How can you make some simple and practical changes to your routine that will ensure you feel fully rested and can optimally function each day?
Once you have completed the research guide, composed your persuasive letter, and written your reflection, please submit your work to the dropbox.
Once you have completed this module, please complete the module test.