argument-based writing

In this Project Based Learning unit, students are asked to answer the question, “Is nuclear energy sustainable?” First, students are introduced to their task through an entry event in which they are given a brief introduction to the nuclear energy controversy and are told they will be writing an...

This module has been carefully designed as a template module to allow teachers to use literary texts of their choice in order to allow students to form and write about their opinions on the text of choice.  This module can be used again and again in order to solidify the skills...

Was Justinian an effective leader? Historians often debate the effectiveness of different historical figures. Being effective doesn't always mean the same thing as being a good leader. Justinian is considered a saint by the Eastern Orthodox Church, but he was often condemned by his...

The focus of this module is the Jacksonian Democracy period. Andrew Jackson was in some eyes a military dictator. Students will decide if he used his executive power to be a dictator or if he really contributed to the growth of the nation. Content in this module is a portion of a unit on...

Reading and writing are taught as one subject in the fourth grade curriculum. Although an emphasis is placed upon writing in this module, the students will practice skills and concepts by reading informational articles about the topic of recycling then combine that knowledge into writing opinion...

After reading Fahrenheit 451, "The Effects of Technology on Relationship," "Entertaining Emotions: TV may be Teaching us to Overreact," and "Why the Young Kill," students will argue for or against the accuracy of Ray Bradbury's predictions in Fahrenheit 451 of future social...

This module has been written with the intent of implementation before the studying of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. This argumentative module has been designed with four purposes in mind:

1. Allow students to read/watch a variety of online texts to determine relevant connections to...

Students will read and/or listen to 4 different texts that tell stories of animals in danger. Students will collect information about the pros and cons of helping animals in need. Then, they will write an opinion piece stating whether it is harmful or helpful to rescue animals, clearly...

Students write a 5 to 6 page paper analyzing the challenges of balancing power between the national and state governments inherent in federalism. Using the current issue of medical marijuana, students are asked to consider the distribution of power in the Constitution and relevant Supreme Court...

For this task, students will work in teams to examine a specific type of renewable energy source. Student groups will research one renewable energy resource (such as solar energy, wind energy, biomass, geothermal energy, hydrogen fuel, nuclear power, and hydroelectric power) and determine the...

In this task, students are asked to construct an argument about the probable cause of death of a fictitious young man who collapsed and died at a local university. Students are given a set of information and will be continuously supplied with new information and the results of lab tests...

Based on their individual research conducted to answer the essential question: “Should stem cell research continue,” students will take a position regarding stem cell research. Students will have a choice in the product they create to educate the public on stem cell research, to communicate...

This task teaches the basics of argument and requires students to demonstrate their ability to read a text critically as well as to write an evidence-based essay. Before students complete the task, they will participate in scaffolding and instructional activities. These include developing...