CORE QUESTION: Is there a limit to the ability of the earth to sustain a population? Is the one child policy a justified means for population control?

OVERVIEW: In an effort to become a world power, Mao Zedong promoted China’s population growth as a means of increasing the work force and thus economic rewards. As a result, China’s population grew at a rapid rate. China currently has the world’s largest population. In an effort to curb population growth, Deng Xiaoping instituted the One Child Policy in 1979. This policy encouraged the people of China to have only one child. Those who followed this policy received housing, medical, and work benefits those who ignored this policy were penalized.

TIME REQUIRED: A minimum of two eighty minute class periods.

SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL: Grades 9 - 12

INTERDISCIPLINARY CONNECTIONS:

• Social Studies: Analyze the pros and cons of the one child policy, debate the current policy, develop research, writing, and speaking skills with regards to public policy.
• English: Identify the pros and the cons with regards to the one child policy, and create a proposal to curb population growth in China and around the world. Students will be able to read and react to a story about a Chinese family that has experienced life in China under the one child policy.
• Science: Students will decide the effects that China’s population growth has had on the environment with regards to land, water, pollution, energy, etc.

NEW JERSEY CORE CONTENT STANDARDS: 6.9.8, 6.9.9

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES:

1. Students will be able to explain the key points of China's One Child Policy.
2. Students will assess the pros and cons of China's One Child Policy.
3. Students will participate in a debate on the One Child Policy.

STRATEGIES:

Day 1:

1. Students will read an article about a family in China who has experienced life under the one child policy. You may use one of the suggested readings from the reference list, or you may want to select your own.
   
2. After reading the article on the One Child Policy, students will debrief the issue.
   
3. The teacher will distribute a stem sheet with the following questions:
   1. The one child policy is . . . . .
   2. If I could only have one child, I would feel, . . .
   3. If I was the leader of China, one way I would attempt to solve the overpopulation problem would be . . . . .
   4. The teacher will ask students to share their responses. Students will then discuss their ideas with the class.
   5. For homework, students will take a sheet of plain white paper, and they will fold the paper vertically so that there are two columns. On one side, the student will write “pro” and on the other side “con.” Students will write down at least three positive aspects of China’s current policy and at least three negatives dealing with the One Child Policy. These pros and cons will be used for a debate on Day 2.

Day 2:

1. The teacher will check the pro and con list (homework assignment).
   
2. The students will be broken into two groups. The left side of the classroom will be on the “pro” side and the right side will be “con” group. The two groups should face each other.
   
3. Each side will have thirty minutes to prepare an opening statement, collect evidence, discuss arguments and debate strategy.
   
4. Students will then face each other, and the students will start the debate:
   1. Opening arguments: (2 minutes for each side)
   2. The “pro” side will present Argument 1 (2 minutes)
      The “con” side will present a rebuttal (2 minutes)
      The “pro” side will give a response to the rebuttal (2 minutes)
   3. Repeat Step 2 with the “con” side presenting its First Argument, and repeat until all Arguments have been presented from each side.
   4. Each side will have 5 minutes to prepare for their closing remarks.
   5. Each side will present their closing remarks (2 minutes each side).


5. After the debate is complete, students will debrief. Students will write a one to two page position paper about the One Child Policy. They should describe their own feelings on the issue, and they should present alternative solutions to the population problem in this paper.

MATERIALS:

Unlined Paper, Pen/Pencils

REFERENCES:

• Internet: Students will find reliable sites on their own.
  Resource Page of Internet Links

ASSESSMENT:

1. Stem sheet and class discussion (Day 1)
2. Pro and con chart (Day 1 homework)
3. Opening and closing statements (Day 2)
4. Participation in the debate
5. Position Paper and suggestions to curb the population problem