Review the Academic Content Standards related to this lesson. Is Diverted to Germ Warfare, Russian Scientists Say. Express and support their views about the development and use of biological weapons by physically and verbally taking a stand about related statements posed by the teacher. Defend, in well-supported persuasive essays, the statements from the opinion exercise with which they individually agree or disagree most strongly. Because students will be moving around to stand beneath the statements with which they most agree for different questions related to biological weapon development and use, be sure that students have clear paths in the room to reach the four corners.
Students then share their answers.
Explain that biological weapons are made of living microorganisms, and discuss the qualities of microorganisms that can be dangerous to the human population. Biological weapons have been very rarely used throughout history. Explain to students that they will be expressing their views on different statements that you will be reading to them regarding biological weapon development and use. Point out that each corner of the room has a sign that states to what degree students agree or disagree with a statement. For each of the statements below, read the statement aloud and allow students to move to the corners of the room that best express their views on the statement.