Analyze the central claims of informational articles and evaluate the evidence given to support them to determine the role that corporations play in contributing to climate change.

Materials

“Just 57 companies linked to 80% of greenhouse gas emissions since 2016”
“Survey finds that 60 firms are responsible for half of world's plastic pollution”

Standards

RI.8.1RI.8.8

progress
monitoring

Lesson

Identify claims made in an informational article and assess the relevance and sufficiency of evidence provided to support those claims.

Materials

“As Rising Heat Bakes U.S. Cities, The Poor Often Feel It Most”

Standards

RI.8.1RI.8.8

Lesson

Explain how authors' specific words and phrases develop tone and meaning across genres.

Materials

“It's Not Climate Change—It's Everything Change” — [end at " . . . because you may be needing it" (para. 19)]

Standards

RI.8.4RL.8.4

progress
monitoring

Lesson

Analyze the central claims of informational articles and evaluate the evidence given to support them to determine the role that Indigenous peoples play in the fight against climate change.

Materials

“Indigenous knowledge is crucial in the fight against climate change—here's why” — (ending at "How is UNDP supporting Indigenous Peoples and their knowledge?")
“Indigenous climate efforts vital to fight against environmental destruction”

Standards

RI.8.1RI.8.8

progress
monitoring

Lesson

Explain how the author uses figurative language to develop meaning in a short story.

Materials

“Half-Eaten Cities”

Standards

RL.8.2RL.8.4RL.8.9

progress
monitoring

Lesson

Writing

Research the possible impacts of climate change and begin to brainstorm aspects of setting for climate fiction narratives.

Standards

W.8.3W.8.8W.8.9

Lesson

Writing

Draft two paragraphs vividly describing the setting of your climate fiction narrative.

Standards

W.8.3W.8.3.aW.8.3.bW.8.3.d

Lesson

Writing

Draft a short climate fiction scene.

Standards

W.8.3W.8.3.a

Lesson

Writing

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.

Standards

L.8.2L.8.2.aW.8.3W.8.5

Lesson

Compare and contrast the central arguments of two articles about climate change, and explain how the authors acknowledge and respond to viewpoints that differ from their own.

Materials

“What the new report on climate change expects from you”
“Focusing on how individuals can stop climate change is very convenient for corporations”

Standards

RI.8.6RI.8.9

progress
monitoring

Lesson

Analyze the central claims of an informational article and evaluate the evidence given to support them to determine the role that young activists play in the fight against climate change.

Materials

“Gen Z on How to Save the World: Young Climate Activists Speak Out”

Standards

RI.8.1RI.8.2RI.8.8

Lesson

Delineate arguments made about climate change and assess whether the evidence provided is relevant and sufficient.

Materials

“Excerpt from An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power”

Standards

RI.8.2RI.8.8

progress
monitoring

Lesson

Socratic Seminar

Engage in a Socratic Seminar with peers, responding directly to others by rephrasing and delineating arguments, determining the strength of evidence, and posing clarifying questions.

Standards

SL.8.1SL.8.1.dSL.8.3SL.8.4