Standard #: LAFS.1112.WHST.1.1 (Archived Standard)


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Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
  1. Introduce precise, knowledgeable claim(s), establish the significance of the claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that logically sequences the claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.
  2. Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly and thoroughly, supplying the most relevant data and evidence for each while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both claim(s) and counterclaims in a discipline-appropriate form that anticipates the audience’s knowledge level, concerns, values, and possible biases.
  3. Use words, phrases, and clauses as well as varied syntax to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships between claim(s) and reasons, between reasons and evidence, and between claim(s) and counterclaims.
  4. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing.
  5. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from or supports the argument presented.


Related Courses

Course Number1111 Course Title222
1200330: Algebra 2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
1200340: Algebra 2 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
1202300: Calculus Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
1202340: Precalculus Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
1201300: Mathematical Analysis Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022 (course terminated))
1210300: Probability and Statistics Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
1211300: Trigonometry Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022 (course terminated))
1206330: Analytic Geometry (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015 (course terminated))
1298310: Advanced Topics in Mathematics (formerly 129830A) (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022 (course terminated))
2000350: Anatomy and Physiology (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2000360: Anatomy and Physiology Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2020910: Astronomy Solar/Galactic Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2000330: Biology 2 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2000370: Botany (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2003340: Chemistry 1 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2003360: Chemistry 2 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2000380: Ecology (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2001340: Environmental Science (Specifically in versions: 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2002480: Forensic Science 1 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2017, 2017 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2002490: Forensic Sciences 2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2017, 2017 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2000440: Genetics Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2002440: Integrated Science 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2002450: Integrated Science 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2000390: Limnology (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018 (course terminated))
2002500: Marine Science 1 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2002510: Marine Science 1 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2002520: Marine Science 2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2002530: Marine Science 2 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2003400: Nuclear Radiation (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018 (course terminated))
2020710: Nuclear Radiation Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2003380: Physics 1 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2003390: Physics 1 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2003410: Physics 2 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2002540: Solar Energy Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2002550: Solar Energy 2 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018 (course terminated))
2000410: Zoology (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2002360: Experimental Science 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2002370: Experimental Science 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2102310: Economics (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2102320: Economics Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2102380: The American Economic Experience: Scarcity and Choice (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020 (course terminated))
2102390: The American Economic Experience: Scarcity and Choice Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2100320: United States History Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2100390: Visions and Countervisions: Europe, the U.S. and the World from 1848 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018 (course terminated))
2100480: Visions and Countervisions: Europe, U.S. and the World from 1848 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2106310: United States Government (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2106320: United States Government Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2106450: The American Political System: Process and Power (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019 (course terminated))
2106460: The American Political System: Process and Power Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
0700320: Haitian Creole for Haitian Creole Speakers 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019 (course terminated))
0700330: Haitian Creole for Haitian Creole Speakers 4 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019 (course terminated))
0701340: French 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0701350: French 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0701360: French 5 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0701370: French 6 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020 (course terminated))
0701820: Florida's Preinternational Baccalaureate French 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0702340: German 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0702350: German 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2013 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0702360: German 5 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020 (course terminated))
0702370: German 6 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019 (course terminated))
0702820: Florida's Preinternational Baccalaureate German 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020 (course terminated))
0703340: Greek 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0703350: Greek 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0703360: Greek 5 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020 (course terminated))
0703370: Greek 6 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2017 (course terminated))
0704320: Hebrew 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0704330: Hebrew 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0704340: Hebrew 5 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2017 (course terminated))
0704350: Hebrew 6 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2017 (course terminated))
0705340: Italian 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0705350: Italian 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0705360: Italian 5 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020 (course terminated))
0705370: Italian 6 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020 (course terminated))
0706320: Latin 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0706330: Latin 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0706340: Latin 5 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0706350: Latin 6 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019 (course terminated))
0706820: Florida's Preinternational Baccalaureate Latin 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2021 (course terminated))
0707320: Russian 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0707330: Russian 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0707820: Florida's Preinternational Baccalaureate Russian 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2017 (course terminated))
0708360: Spanish 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0708370: Spanish 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0708380: Spanish 5 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0708390: Spanish 6 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0709320: Spanish for Spanish Speakers 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0709330: Spanish for Spanish Speakers 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0709340: Spanish for Spanish Speakers 5 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020 (course terminated))
0709350: Spanish for Spanish Speakers 6 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020 (course terminated))
0711320: Chinese 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0711330: Chinese 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
1700320: Research 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0712320: Japanese 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0712330: Japanese 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0713320: Portuguese 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020, 2020 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0713330: Portuguese 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020, 2020 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0714320: Foreign Language Humanities for International Studies 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0714330: Foreign Language Humanities for International Studies 4 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0717312: American Sign Language 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0717314: American Sign Language 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2100310: United States History (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
7920011: Access Chemistry 1 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
7921015: Access United States Government  (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
7921025: Access United States History (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
7921020: Access Economics (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2100315: United States History for Credit Recovery (Specifically in versions: 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2102315: Economics for Credit Recovery (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2102335: Economics with Financial Literacy (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 - 2024 (course terminated))
2102340: Economics with Financial Literacy for Credit Recovery (Specifically in versions: 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2102345: Economics with Financial Literacy Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 - 2024 (course terminated))
2106315: United States Government for Credit Recovery (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2000510: Bioscience 2 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2000520: Bioscience 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2002445: Integrated Science 3 for Credit Recovery (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020 (course terminated))
2003345: Chemistry 1 for Credit Recovery (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2003385: Physics 1 for Credit Recovery (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020 (course terminated))
1200335: Algebra 2 for Credit Recovery (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019 (course terminated))
0711812: Florida’s Preinternational Baccalaureate Mandarin Chinese 3 (Specifically in versions: 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0708820: Florida's Preinternational Baccalaureate Spanish 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0705392: Florida's Preinternational Baccalaureate Italian 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0716320: Turkish 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0716330: Turkish 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0710320: Arabic 3 Honors - Intermediate High - Advanced Low (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019 (course terminated))
0710330: Arabic 4 Honors - Advanced Low - Advanced Mid (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019 (course terminated))
2003500: Renewable Energy 1 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
0711335: Chinese 5 Honors - Advanced High (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2017 (course terminated))
0712825: Florida's Preinternational Baccalaureate Japanese 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0715325: Language and Literature for International Studies 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0715335: Language and Literature for International Studies 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
7921040: Fundamental Economics (Specifically in versions: 2013 - 2015, 2015 - 2017 (course terminated))
0713820: Florida's Preinternational Baccalaureate Portuguese 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2017 (course terminated))
1201315: Analysis of Functions Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022 (course terminated))
0717316: American Sign Language 5 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0717318: American Sign Language 6 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
7921042: Fundamental Economics with Financial Literacy (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2017 (course terminated))
7921022: Access Economics with Financial Literacy (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
0715355: Language and Literature for International Studies 6 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0715365: Language and Literature for International Studies 7 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0715375: Language and Literature for International Studies 8 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2017 (course terminated))
0715345: Language and Literature for International Studies 5 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2102372: Personal Financial Literacy (Specifically in versions: 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2102374: Personal Financial Literacy Honors (Specifically in versions: 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2003836: Florida's Preinternational Baccalaureate Physics 1 (Specifically in versions: 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2003838: Florida's Preinternational Baccalaureate Physics 2 (Specifically in versions: 2015 and beyond (current))
7912095: Access Algebra 2 (Specifically in versions: 2016 - 2018, 2018 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2001341: Environmental Science Honors (Specifically in versions: 2016 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2104315: Exploring Hip Hop as Literature (Specifically in versions: 2017 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
7921021: Access Personal Financial Literacy (Specifically in versions: 2019 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
1005351: Humane Letters 3 Literature (Specifically in versions: 2020 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
1005352: Humane Letters 3 Literature Honors (Specifically in versions: 2020 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
1005353: Humane Letters 4 Literature (Specifically in versions: 2020 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
1005354: Humane Letters 4 Literature Honors (Specifically in versions: 2020 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))


Related Resources

Lesson Plans

Name Description
Bioremediation: Nature's Way to a Cleaner Environment

In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text intended to support reading in the content area. This article explains how bioremediation takes place via microorganism digestion of toxic waste generated by human activity. Students will learn how this process occurs naturally and how this natural process has been researched and is now utililized to clean up spills of certain hazardous substances. This lesson includes a vocabulary guide, a Cornell Notes note-taking guide, text dependent questions, and a writing prompt, along with answer keys and a writing rubric.

Too Much of a Good Thing: Human Activities Overload Ecosystems with Nitrogen

In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text intended to support reading in the content area. The article briefly summarizes the nitrogen cycle, then explains how human activities have impacted ecosystems through the increased release of nitrogen and explores potential solutions to alleviate the issues caused by excess nitrogen. A video is also presented which explores why Florida had a large-scale eutrophication event in 2016 and presents solutions and economic implications of the event. By reading, viewing, and synthesizing information from the article and video, students learn how excess nitrogen impacts aquatic ecosystems and the economy. Further, they will be able to provide suggestions to lessen our impact on these systems. This lesson includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric.

Loss of Vision in Astronauts

In this lesson plan, students will analyze an intended to support reading in the content area. The article addresses the results of a new study that will help researchers identify which astronauts will develop vision problems in space. The text describes how Scott M. Smith from the Biomedical Research and Environmental Sciences Division at NASA's Johnson Space Center has found a metabolic pathway that is directly related to the vision problems some astronauts encounter. This pathway, called the one carbon metabolism pathway, moves single atoms from one organic compound to another. Astronauts who develop vision problems have been found to have a different genetic variant, which changes the way the enzymes of this pathway work. This will also affect people on Earth, as the same enzymes are also used here and are linked to other medical problems. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. Numerous options to extend the lesson are also included.

Astrocytes Got Your Back

In this lesson, students will analyze an intended to support reading in the content area. The article presents exciting new research findings regarding axon generation in scar tissue formation following spinal cord injury. Astrocytes were once thought to decrease the growth of new axon connections, but now these important cells have been shown to actually stimulate growth and connections in the neural network. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. Numerous options to extend the lesson are also included.

Frankenfood or Superfood?

In this lesson, students will analyze an designed to support reading in the content area. The article addresses opposition to genetically modified foods. The text discusses the possible reasons why so many people are anti-GMO even though science finds them safe. GMOs allow for more of the world to be fed with a lower impact on the environment. The author suggests some ways that misinformation can be combated with education. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. Numerous options to extend the lesson are also included.

By-Products of Fracking

In this lesson, students will analyze an that addresses accidental wastewater spills in North Dakota from the use of fracking. The text describes how fracking has caused widespread water and soil contamination. Researchers have found high levels of contaminants and salt in surface waters. Soil at the spill sites contain radium, and in some places radium was found to be present even 4 years after a spill. Researchers studied almost 4,000 spill sites in North Dakota to connect the soil and water contamination directly to fracking spills. This lesson plan is designed to support reading in the content area; it includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric.

Artificially Sweetened Foods and Drinks Can't Fool Your Brain

In this lesson, students will study an that describes how researchers at the University of Sydney have discovered a correlation between artificial sweeteners, like sucralose, and an increased appetite. There are estimates that over 4,000 types of food contain sucralose. Billions of people around the world consume artificial sweeteners in hopes of losing weight, and until this study, little has been known about how these sweeteners affected the brain. This lesson is designed to support reading in the content area; it includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric.

Searching for the Recipe: Polypeptides & the Origins of Life

In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text that addresses a new method of producing polypeptides from only amino and hydroxy acids, with no biological catalysts necessary. Researchers at Georgia Tech have been able to produce polypeptides by subjecting amino and hydroxy acids through a wet and dry cycle. This allows for prebiotic molecules to be formed on land, without large amounts of water or extreme boiling temperatures. This method also allows for the breakdown and reassembly of organic materials to form random sequences that could lead to the variation needed for life. This lesson plan is intended to support reading in the content area; it includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric.

USGS Science for an El Niño Winter

In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text on the work the USGS (United States Geological Survey) is doing to monitor the effects of the 2015-2016 winter season as it is impacted by El Niño. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. Options to extend the lesson are also included.

Show Me the Money! Selecting Student Athletes for Scholarships

Students will use data to decide the ideal candidate for a college scholarship by computing the mean and the standard deviation. The student will present the data using the normal distribution and make recommendations based on the findings. Students will recognize that not all data can be presented in this format.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Using Scientific Methods to Starve the Beast

In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text that describes how scientists employed use of scientific methods to discover what may lead to a new method to treat cancer. The article describes the preliminary research done in eliminating protein cell chaperones that bring copper into cancer cells. Depriving cancer cells of copper causes them to stop growing. Use of this informational text is designed to support reading in the content area. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, sample answers, and a writing rubric.

Finding the Light in a Jaguar Conservation Challenge

In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text that addresses an innovative conservation method designed to protect jaguars in Colombia. This informational text is designed to support reading in the content area. The text describes how predation of domestic cattle by jaguars in Colombia was becoming increasingly common due in part to deforestation. A conservation program was implemented to create a corridor for jaguars to pass through, keeping the jaguars separated from the farms and livestock and allowing them a natural pathway to cross through the Andes Mountains to eastern Colombia. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. Numerous options to extend the lesson are also included.

Show Me the Money

Students will create a statistical question and collect and analyze data using relative frequency tables. They will present their argument in hopes of earning a cash prize for their philanthropy. An iterative process of critique and refinement will take place. A student packet is included that guides all parts of the lesson.

Cleaning Up Your Act

Cleaning Up Your Act Model Eliciting Activity (MEA) provides students with a real world engineering problem in which they must work as a team to design a procedure to select the best material for cleaning up an oil spill. The main focus of this MEA is to recognize the consequences of a catastrophic event, and understand the environmental and economical impact based on data analysis. Students will conduct individual and team investigations in order to arrive at a scientifically sound solution to the problem.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Shopping for a Home Mortgage Loan

Students will analyze the data given to decide which type of loan they will buy. After selecting their options, students will estimate the first loan payment. FHA loans offer a better interest rate than conforming loans, but buying premium insurance is a requirement to qualify for an FHA loan, increasing the upfront cost of the loan. Fixed interest rate loans seem like the best choice because you have the same mortgage payment every month; however, adjustable rate loans offer a better interest rate and it has a cap on the interest rate.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

The Seven Major Properties of Water

The goal of this lesson is that students will be able to conduct mini-experiments that demonstrate how water behaves. Students will perform the experiment, collect the data, diagram results, and generate a definition of the seven properties of water.

Movie Theater MEA

This MEA deals with creating a business plan for a movie theater, based on provided data. Students will first determine the best film to show, and then based on that decision, will create a model of ideal sales. Students will need to create equations and graph them to visually represent relationships.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Text Resources

Name Description
What is the Carbon Cycle?

This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. The text describes the carbon cycle and its dynamic nature. Carbon dioxide is recycled by plants and other autotrophs, considered "sinks." Animals and heterotrophs give off carbon dioxide as a by-product of the process of cellular respiration. In addition, human activity, accelerated by industrial activity, produces more carbon dioxide than autotrophs can handle, leading to global warming.

Bioremediation: Nature's Way to a Cleaner Environment

This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. It is designed to introduce the ideas and the research history of bioremediation studies performed by the USGS scientists. This text begins with an environmental spill and moves into the progress gained in cost effective and safe cleanup of toxic substances from the environment using research completed by the USGS.

Too Much of a Good Thing: Human Activities Overload Ecosystems with Nitrogen

This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. Human activities, mainly the use of fertilizer, are overloading ecosystems with nitrogen. Nitrogen is a dynamic cycle that is mediated by bacteria. Humans have been contributing to the nitrogen cycle through synthetic nitrogen fixation. This has resulted in eutrophication of aquatic systems and greenhouse gas emissions. Methods to increase the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer use are discussed.

Contamination in North Dakota Linked to Fracking Spills

This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. The text describes how accidental wastewater spills from fracking have caused soil and water contamination in North Dakota. Researchers from Duke University have been able to prove the contamination comes directly from the North Dakota wells. The text also explains how almost 10,000 wells have been drilled in North Dakota over the past decade, and how the state began producing more than 1 million barrels of oil a day in 2014. Much of the increased production has come through hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling.

Why People Oppose GMOs Even Though Science Says They Are Safe

The informational text resource explains why the conventional wisdom of much of the public tends to be against GMOs: genetically modified organisms. Author Stefaan Blancke discusses why people feel hostile toward GMOs: because of emotions, intuitions, and essentialism. The author explains that science has found nothing unsafe about GMOs, but he does conclude that each GMO should be researched and admits that some GM applications could have unwanted effects.

New Role Identified for Scars at the Site of Injured Spinal Cord

Recent research funded by the National Institutes of Health points to scar tissue being beneficial to nerve regrowth in spinal injury. Previously it was believed scar tissue prevented nerve regrowth, but this new research shows that astrocyte scars may actually be required for repair and regrowth following spinal cord injury.

Finding the Origins of Life in a Drying Puddle

This text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. The article describes how researchers at Georgia Tech have discovered that polypeptides, which are the main component of proteins, can be formed by mixing amino and hydroxyl acids, and then simply putting them through wet and dry cycles. This would be a more plausible way for early prebiotic molecules to form. Previously, the only way to produce polypeptides involved boiling temperatures, which are not conducive to life.

Text Resource: USGS Science for an El Niño Winter

This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. El Niño is known to cause weather disturbances, however, its impact on winter storms causes a slew of additional complications when coupled with rising ocean levels instigated by global warming. The USGS reviews the effects, efforts to study the phenomena, and hints at ways to plan strategically for them in this timely article.

Jaguar Corridor Lights Up Eastern Colombia

This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. The text describes how predation of domestic cattle by jaguars in Colombia was becoming increasingly common due in part to deforestation. A conservation program was implemented to create a corridor for jaguars to pass through, keeping the jaguars separated from the farms and livestock and allowing them a natural pathway to cross through the Andes Mountains to eastern Colombia.

Starving the Beast: New NSF-Funded Research Finds Way to Withhold Cancer Cells' Favorite Food

This informational text resource supports reading in the content area. This text describes the findings of a scientific study to determine how cancer cell growth can be halted by reducing the amount of copper that is transported to the cell. The text also describes how the scientists used the scientific method to develop their experiment.

Volcano Power Plan Gets US Go-Ahead

This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. The text describes a group of researchers/investors who are attempting to convert the energy in volcanically heated water to electricity using a new method of forming more fissures to hold the heated water.

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