Facing Calamity: Climate Change Facts and Fictions

Lesson 13
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ELA

Unit 5

8th Grade

Lesson 13 of 23

Objective


  • Provide and incorporate peer feedback into cli-fi narratives. 
  • Explain the purpose and impact of hyphens and dashes; add at least one em-dash to writing.

Readings and Materials


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Target Task


Writing Prompt

Indicate the changes you have made to your writing based on the feedback you received from a classmate, either in comments within the document or in a short paragraph. 

You have read a number of nonfiction texts about the current and potential impacts of climate change on our planet. You have also read several examples of poetry and short stories that discuss the climate crisis and imagine what the future might hold. Remember that the ultimate purpose of climate fiction is to raise awareness and motivate readers to take meaningful action so that fictional events don't become a reality. 

Your task is to write your own cli-fi short scene that provides an answer to the following question: What might life in your area (your town, state, or region of the country) look like in 100 years if we do not address the climate crisis? In this scene, you will describe the morning routine of a fictional main character who is living in your area of the country 100 years in the future.

Your scene must:

  • Be at least 250 words
  • Include at least one complex, fully developed central character 
  • Vividly describe the setting 
  • Logically and accurately reflect current climate science and predictions
  • Use appropriate grammar and spelling

Sample Response

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Homework


To ensure that students are prepared for the next lesson, have students complete the following reading for homework. Use guidance from the next lesson to identify any additional language or background support students may need while independently engaging with the text.

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What question are both of these articles addressing?

  • What is the IPCC?

  • What are some ways that individuals can help stop climate change?

  • What questions do you have after reading these articles?

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Common Core Standards


  • L.8.2 — Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
  • L.8.2.a — Use punctuation (comma, ellipsis, dash) to indicate a pause or break.
  • W.8.3 — Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
  • W.8.5 — With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.

Supporting Standards

L.8.1
L.8.3
L.8.6
SL.8.1
SL.8.6
W.8.3.a
W.8.3.b
W.8.3.c
W.8.3.d
W.8.4
W.8.6
W.8.10
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Lesson 12

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Lesson 14

Lesson Map

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