Gum in School?

In adition to the study of Ancient Greece, we are also working on persuasive essays this quarter (3). This week students had to take a position on "Should gum be allowed in school?" after reading an enlighting article from CNN. Then students had to support their opinion with evidence and counter arguments. These students are very persuasive, but gum is still not allowed in school. 

read:
http://articles.cnn.com/2009-04-22/health/chewing.gum.benefits_1_wrigley-science-institute-gum-eighth-grade-math-students?_s=PM:HEALTH

• Alejandro L
                                            Why Gum Should be Allowed
                   Do you think that gum should be allowed in school? I do think that gum should be allowed. I know some people will complain and that is okay because as soon as you read this essay, you will think otherwise. Scientists have proven that people chewing gum pay more attention in class. People chewing gum also have a 3% grade increase and have better final grades than non-gum chewers. Besides that, gum also helps measure your food cravings and people chewing gum have a 40-60 calorie decrease in their diet. That is why I believe that gum should be allowed in school.
                Although I want gum to be allowed in B-9, there are some people who disagree with this statement. Some people may say that gum is sticky after you chew it but what I would say to wash your hands after throwing your gum away. Then other people would say that people put gum under desks and to counter that, I would say that the person seating there would be responsible so they would scrape off the gum. Soon after some people would say that gum would get in people’s hair but to counter that I would say that if gum did get in a person’s head, the person who put the gum there would face a severe punishment and the person who has the gum stuck to their hair would have to wash it off when they get home. If the people had more complaints then one of the complaints would be that gum is bad for your teeth. In order to counter that, I would say to brush your teeth every morning and every night (you are already supposed to be doing that). Those are the counter arguments a person who disagrees with me would say.
                 In conclusion, that in my firm belief on why gum should be allowed in Room B-9. To recap, gum is 3% increase in academic scores, better final grades than non-gum chewers; gum helps measure food cravings, and 40-60 calorie decrease. That is why gum should be allowed in B-9.
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• Philip R
  To Gum, Or Not To Gum?
  
  Have you ever had gum in your hair? I haven’t, but it sounds painful! I strongly believe that we shouldn’t have gum in B-9. That’s my opinion because how many times have you stepped in it, sat in it, or felt it underneath your chair? It can get pretty annoying most of the time.
  
  Another reason is: In the 2nd grade, I was chewing gum in class and when the teacher called on me, I choked on my gum and almost vomited in the trash can (Eww). One last reason about not having gum is kind of weird, but whenever I chew gum and speak at the same time I develop a lisp. That can get in the way if somebody is trying to speak or share something they did.
  
  Some people probably say that gum raises test scores because it helps you focus, and they’re right. Me, I love gum! It’s the greatest thing since sliced bread! But I don’t think it belongs in a classroom. They also say that gum helps your teeth, and they’re right again.
  
  An argument against that is: If you chew gum in room B-9, most all other teachers won’t let you have it, so what’s the point? Math and Science, where I have to focus the most, my teacher doesn’t allow anything in your mouth. In conclusion, gum shouldn’t be allowed in room B-9, because most kids I know would take advantage of the situation and leave where it shouldn’t be left.
  
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• Sherlyn K
  Class Candy
  
                  Most people like candy including me, but should it be allowed in class? I don’t think so. The reason why I don’t think so is because it makes kids hyper and is very unhealthy. Plus in classes, kids can choke on them. This is why I don’t think that candy should be allowed in class.
  Candy is very good, but it shouldn’t be allowed in class because kids might choke on them. In some classes, kids laugh a lot and can choke on them. Another reason why I think that candy should be banned from school is because they make kids too hyper. I know candy certainty makes me hyper, so I can’t concentrate. When some people get hyper, they talk a lot. That distracts other kids too. A couple more reasons why I think candy shouldn’t be allowed here are because it is not healthy. Candy has lots of sugar so it is not healthy to have a lot of sugar in your body. These are some of the reasons why candy shouldn’t be allowed here.
  
                         Some people might think that candy should be allowed here because it sort of gives them energy to stay awake. I disagree because it is like giving an adult coffee in the morning. Coffee has caffeine so it is bad for you, just like candy. Another reason is because during tests, some teachers think that it will help them concentrate. I think that that is true, but it also creates a mess on the ground. It can leave wrappers on the ground, sticky candy on the floor, and gum under the tables. So, this is why I think that candy shouldn’t be allowed here.
  
                These are the reasons why I think that candy shouldn’t be allowed here. There are some good things about candy and bad. I love candy too, but should it be allowed here?