Earth and Environmental Science · Week 33 · Sustainability and Civic Action
Speaking Up for the Environment
Writing an evidence based letter to a local agency and advocating honestly without exaggerating.
- Students will
- Students write an evidence based letter to a local agency that evaluates one Salton Sea project against criteria using data and advocate honestly without exaggerating.
- SEL skill
- Check a message for exaggeration so that your advocacy stays honest and fair
- What it looks like
- Students practice influencing with integrity by using accurate claims and respectful tone.
- Content focus
- Speaking up for the environment
- Format
- Collaborative analysis
Responsible decision-making
Responsible decision-making is making thoughtful, caring choices after considering ethics, safety, and the consequences for others. More responsible decision-making activities
What you get
A teacher guide with what to say, step by step, plus student pages and a supports page for students with diverse learning needs, including those with IEPs. Print or Project it, or assign it in Google Forms and Google Docs for Google Classroom. Your first 10 activities are free.
Standards
- HS-ESS3-4: High School Earth and Space Science performance expectation
- Science and engineering practice: SEP8 Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
- Crosscutting concept: CCC2 Cause and effect
- CA Environmental Principles and Concepts: Principle V: Decisions affecting resources and natural systems are complex and involve many factors
- Literacy in science: WHST.11-12.1 Write arguments focused on discipline specific content.
- Traditional course: Earth and Environmental Science
More responsible decision-making activities for Earth and Environmental Science
- Cycling Matter Through Earth Responsible decision-makingModeling the carbon cycle across all of Earth's spheres and deciding which personal actions most affect it.
- Dust and Breath Responsible decision-makingAnalyzing air quality data near the exposed lakebed and evaluating fair solutions for communities with high asthma rates.
- Who Gets the Water Responsible decision-makingArguing about water allocation among farms, cities, tribes, and the Salton Sea while managing strong feelings in debate.
- Climate Models Responsible decision-makingComparing climate model projections and weighing uncertainty without sliding into denial or despair.
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RoseThread Connect activities are drafted with the help of AI and shaped by educators. Students never have to share anything personal. Our five SEL skills are informed by CASEL's SEL Framework; RoseThread Learning is not affiliated with or endorsed by CASEL.