Protecting the Earth: Plastic Pollution

Lesson 10
icon/ela/white

ELA

Unit 3

5th Grade

Lesson 10 of 16

Objective


Write an opinion piece defending whether or not single-use plastics should be banned by citing evidence from multiple texts and building an argument.

Readings and Materials


  • All unit texts 

  • Template: Two-Paragraph Outline  — (Use outline depending on students' needs)

  • Template: Three Paragraph Outline  — (Use outline depending on students' needs)

Fishtank Plus

Unlock features to optimize your prep time, plan engaging lessons, and monitor student progress.

Target Task


Writing Prompt

Many cities, states, and countries are considering (or have already considered) banning single-use plastics, like straws and plastic water bottles. 

Should single-use plastics be banned? Why or why not? Defend your opinion in multiple paragraphs. Your essay should:

  • State an opinion about if single-use plastics should be banned or not
  • Include reasons and details to support your opinion 
  • Include transition words and phrases to link different reasons
  • Provide a concluding statement

Sample Response

Upgrade to Fishtank Plus to view Sample Response.

Enhanced Lesson Plan

Fishtank Plus Content

Bring your most engaging lessons to life with comprehensive instructional guidance, detailed pacing, supports to meet every student's needs, and resources to strengthen your lesson planning and delivery.

Common Core Standards


  • L.5.2.e — Spell grade-appropriate words correctly, consulting references as needed.
  • L.5.3.a — Expand, combine, and reduce sentences for meaning, reader/listener interest, and style.
  • RI.5.8 — Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text, identifying which reasons and evidence support which point(s).
  • SL.5.1 — Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 5 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
  • SL.5.4 — Report on a topic or text or present an opinion, sequencing ideas logically and using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly at an understandable pace.
  • W.5.1 — Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information
  • W.5.1.a — Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which ideas are logically grouped to support the writer's purpose.
  • W.5.1.b — Provide logically ordered reasons that are supported by facts and details.
  • W.5.5 — With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
  • W.5.8 — Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; summarize or paraphrase information in notes and finished work, and provide a list of sources.

Supporting Standards

L.5.6
W.5.4
W.5.10

Next

Explain what strategies the author recommends to help reduce the amount of plastic in the ocean and the pros and cons of the strategies.

Lesson 11
icon/arrow/right/large

Lesson Map

A7CB09C2-D12F-4F55-80DB-37298FF0A765

Request a Demo

See all of the features of Fishtank in action and begin the conversation about adoption.

Learn more about Fishtank Learning School Adoption.

Contact Information

School Information

What courses are you interested in?

ELA

Math

Are you interested in onboarding professional learning for your teachers and instructional leaders?

Yes

No

Any other information you would like to provide about your school?

We Handle Materials So You Can Focus on Students

We Handle Materials So You Can Focus on Students

We've got you covered with rigorous, relevant, and adaptable ELA lesson plans for free