argumentative writing

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, it is estimated that 25.6 billion pounds of beef will be consumed this year alone. This consumption will account for 79 billion dollars of revenue for the beef industry and give students 79 billion reasons to educate themselves on all...

Prior to starting this module, students have been taught how to write a persuasive letter in their ELA class. In this module, students will be writing a letter to their local senator. This module will promote students' knowledge of weather related hazards as well as design solutions made for...

After learning about water as a resource and the challenges the Earth's population faces, this module asks students to propose a solution for maintaining Colorado's water supply. Students will explore methods of conservation, finding a new water supply and recycling and/or reusing water. This...

With recent concerns about climate change and rising oil prices, the world is looking for alternative and cleaner energy sources. One possible solution is nuclear power; however, there are advantages and disadvantages to consider.

In this extended writing task (LDC module), students will...

In the Pandemic Module, students will read three articles on the 1918 influenza pandemic genome. The articles discuss the scientific research for reconstruction and the scientific community's decision to publish the complete genome. Students will read and discuss these three articles, noting how...

Hydraulic fracturing is a controversial topic directly impacting the citizens and communities of Colorado.
This extended writing task asks students to read, analyze, and gather/cite relevant information from multiple texts and write an argumentative essay about the positive and negative...

The use of genetically modified organisms by the food industry has become a controversial issue. Students will read various texts about the pros and cons of genetically modified organisms. They will

develop and support an argument about whether GMOs will benefit or harm society....

When thinking of car design, students usually only think of the shape (aerodynamics) of the car when they think of design. Through this module, students will better understand that design encompasses more than shape. Force and motion are a unit that covers speed, velocity, acceleration, weight,...

This is a short module, combining primary and secondary sources, that "explores" (pun intended) the voyages of Christopher Columbus and their consequences for the native peoples he "discovered." The student product is a proposal for a school assembly to be held just before or after the Columbus...

World History is replete with examples of "Bad Boys" - groups that are remembered for cruelties and excesses that forever cast a dark shadow on their legacy. The reputations of many of these group are well deserved. But are some of these groups unfairly remembered? Are contributions and positive...

This module is designed as a case study within Unit 7, "Cold War and Vietnam." Students take an in-depth look at confrontations between the United States and the Soviet Union over Cuba: the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Students ground their understanding of these events in...

This module is a culminating activity for students that have studied renewable and nonrenewable energy. Students will use the knowledge they have gained from prior study in addition to various articles to determine the best energy source for their school. The final project will be an...

DDT - a pesticide widely used between 1940 and 1960 - was the focus of great controversy. Rachel Carson's book, Silent Spring, published in 1962, describes the detrimental effects of DDT. The publication of the book, in part, led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, which...

The power of persuasion can convince many people to believe in a cause and to take action to support that cause. Those that are able to convince others to follow them, know how to write a well-crafted speech.

Because of this, it is important for students to be able to analyze how speeches...

After reading selected articles, students will write an argumentative essay stating what they believe to be the main cause of the Civil War, with their opinions substantiated by evidence gleaned from their readings. 

In this module students will be asked to explore the influence that digital technology has on our everyday lives. Their task is to write an editorial that identifies a problem caused by others using the footprints we either purposefully or inadvertently create. Students will take a close look at...

This module takes place within the context of the Interconnected World Unit for 6th Grade Social Studies Students in Denver Public Schools. This module is designed as a case study where students take an in- depth look at one particular human right that the UN established a series of goals around...

Students will read excerpts from the book Silent Spring by Rachel Carson and research the risks and benefits of DDT. Students will then pretend that they are living in 1962 when the book was published, and write a letter to their senator arguing whether or not the government should ban DDT based...

An understanding of organism organization, cell structure, mitochondria, and cellular respiration is a prerequisite for this module!

The role of the mitochondria in providing the energy that organisms require for basic life functions is something that most students have a basic grasp of,...

This is an 8th grade ELA Unit 4-6 weeks on Cyberbullying including close reads, Socratic Seminar and an argumentative essay.