Writing and Climate Change Lesson Plan
OER PROJECT / LESSON PLANTEACHING GUIDE1WritingandClimate Change Lesson Plan Length: Approx. one50-min.class periodDescription:Bring climate change education into your writing classroom by exploring why there’s so much disagreement surrounding climate change,and then having students develop a one-paragraph response that explains their perspective.Note: Linked sample answers require a free teacher log-in. Click hereto sign up or log in.Common Core ELA Standards AlignmentCCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.1.b: Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant, accurate data and evidence that demonstrate an understanding of the topic or text, using credible sources.CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.11-12.1: Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.Learning Objectives:•Analyzewhy disagreement about climate change exists.•Use evidence to support an argumentin a short written response.Climate Change Writing•Opener: In the short activity Climate Change Is..., students warm up their writing skills by thinking about what climate change means to them and what theyalready know about the topic.•Read: The article “Understanding Climate Change Disagreement” breaks downs the political, economic, and social reasons why it can be so difficult to agree when it comes to climate change.Find key idea questions and sample answers for this article here.•Write: Using the article and other background information, students write a short, one-paragraph (three to five sentences) in response to this prompt: Why do you think it’s important to be able to understand and overcome disagreements surrounding climate change?
OER PROJECT / LESSON PLANTEACHING GUIDE2If your students are stuck, here are some questions to get them started:oWhy can disagreement slow down or prevent action on complex problems?oWhat are some ways that people can work together despite disagreement?oWhere do you see climate change disagreement in the media or in your own community?oground, build trust, and work together more effectively to address the climate crisis.Optional WritingExtensions:•Students can build their skills for testing whether information is trustworthy or not in the activity Claim Testing: Evaluating Authority.•This writing assessment asks students to analyze documents and create an argument about the significance of climate change.oPre-Writing: Introduction to Climate ChangeoDBQ Sources: Introduction to Climate ChangeoWriting: Introduction to Climate ChangeExplore FurtherWant more? Check out these resources:•Infographic: Does Half a Degree Really Matter?•Activity: Writing: Does It Matter?