Facing Calamity: Climate Change Facts and Fictions

Lesson 7
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ELA

Unit 5

8th Grade

Lesson 7 of 23

Objective


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

Readings and Materials


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Target Task


Writing Prompt

Based on what you have read in this article, take a position on the following statement:

  • Climate change will affect all people equally.

Be sure to support your position with relevant and sufficient evidence from this article.

When you are finished, switch papers with a classmate and assess whether the evidence they provided is relevant and sufficient to support their claim. Note if any irrelevant evidence is introduced.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Close Read Questions

  • What claim do the writers of this article make about the relationship between heat and income levels in cities? What evidence do they provide to support this claim? Is the evidence they provide relevant and sufficient?

  • What evidence do the writers of this article include to support their claim about the link between high temperatures and health problems? Provide at least one piece of evidence that they include and explain why it is—or is not—relevant to this claim.

  • In the section of the article, "Before I knew it, I was gasping for air," the writers include a description of an asthma attack that Shakira Franklin experienced on a hot day. Is this story relevant to the claim that high temperatures can make serious health conditions worse? Is it sufficient alone to support this claim?

Homework


To ensure that students are prepared for the next lesson, have students complete the following reading for homework. Use guidance from the next lesson to identify any additional language or background support students may need while independently engaging with the text.

  • Short Story: “World After Water” by Abby Geni 

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • When does this story take place?

  • Who are the main characters in this story?

  • What is the primary problem that these characters face?

  • What do they do to try and solve this problem?

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Common Core Standards


  • RI.8.8 — Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; recognize when irrelevant evidence is introduced.

Supporting Standards

L.8.6
RI.8.1
RI.8.2
RI.8.4
RI.8.10
SL.8.1
SL.8.6
W.8.1
W.8.1.a
W.8.1.b
W.8.4
W.8.9
W.8.9.b
W.8.10
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Lesson Map

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