Protecting Our Planet
By A.Cheng
PS 84 Q
Grades 3-5
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Introduction |
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US local governments and its residents have been taking many
steps in searching for ways to reduce the amount of harmful trash that gets
collected in landfills. Notable changes are evident in how most cities and towns, with
the cooperation of its residents, collect cans, paper, glass, and plastic for
recycling pick-up or drop-off. You
probably help to recycle these popular items at home regularly. However, is this enough?
Is there more you can do to reduce the amount
of harmful things you throw away? |
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Task |
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As a concerned
citizen/resident, you want to improve how you can be an agent for change in
your community. You will begin by
researching other ways you can reduce the amount of
harmful things you throw away, explore existing policies on these items, and
find out what people are already doing to improve this problem. Your job is to use
the research you gathered to write an opinion essay. You will persuade your audience to recycle
and reduce another form of harmful trash that negatively impacts our
environment. You will also provide your own solution to the problem. |
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Process |
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To help form your
opinion essay, you will use the Public Policy Analyst Steps (PPA)with
accompanying worksheets and articles to learn other ways you can reduce the amount of harmful things you throw away. (*Note: You may work with a partner for
Steps 1-5 only.*) Step 1: What is the problem? Complete PPA Worksheet 1 after reading the article below. Steps 2
& 3: Gather Evidence
and Identify the Causes Complete PPA Worksheet 2 and PPA Worksheet 3 after reviewing the articles and video below. ● US-EPA ● Brooklyn ● Fabscrap Step 4: Evaluate an Existing Policy Complete PPA Worksheet 4 after reading the article below. ● Existing
Policies-ThreadCycleNYC Step 5: Develop Solutions (What solutions are
out there? Do you have any of your own?) Complete PPA Worksheet 5 after watching the videos and reading the articles
below. (*Independent
Work for Steps 6-7*) *Step 6: Select the Best Solution Complete PPA Worksheet 6. *Step 7: Begin drafting your opinion essay, using the
evidence collected in Steps 1-6. (Independent Work)
How
to organize your ideas: Paragraph 1-Introduction ● Explain what the problem is and your opinion
on it ● Provide statistics to hook your readers Paragraph 2-Body ● Provide the leading causes of the problem with
evidence Paragraph 3-Body
Continued ● Present the existing policy on the issue Paragraph 4-Body
Continued (*optional) ● Provide some solutions that are already out
there Paragraph 4 or 5-Conclusion ● Name a few solutions that are out there (if
you choose to do a 4-paragraph essay). ● What is the best solution in your opinion? ● Do you have a better one than what’s already
out there? Step 8: You will present your opinion essay to the
class. Classmates will pose questions
and provide helpful feedback.
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Evaluation |
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Conclusion |
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Standards |
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Common Core State Standards Grade 3 Introduce
the topic or text they are writing about, state an opinion, and create an
organizational structure that lists reasons. Provide
reasons that support the opinion. Use linking
words and phrases (e.g., because, therefore, since, for example) to connect opinion and
reasons. Provide a
concluding statement or section. Conduct
short research projects that build knowledge about a topic. Recall
information from experiences or gather information from print and digital
sources; take brief notes on sources and sort evidence into provided
categories. Engage
effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups,
and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade
3 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly. Come to
discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly
draw on that preparation and other information known about the topic to
explore ideas under discussion. Follow
agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., gaining the floor in respectful
ways, listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics
and texts under discussion). Grade 4 Write
opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons
and information. Introduce a
topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational
structure in which related ideas are grouped to support the writer's purpose. Provide
reasons that are supported by facts and details. Link
opinion and reasons using words and phrases (e.g., for instance, in order to,
in addition). Provide a
concluding statement or section related to the opinion presented. Conduct
short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of
different aspects of a topic. Recall
relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from
print and digital sources; take notes and categorize information, and provide
a list of sources. Draw
evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis,
reflection, and research. Engage
effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups,
and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade
4 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own
clearly. Come to
discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly
draw on that preparation and other information known about the topic to
explore ideas under discussion. Follow
agreed-upon rules for discussions and carry out assigned roles. Grade 5 Write
opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons
and information. Introduce a
topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational
structure in which ideas are logically grouped to support the writer's
purpose. Provide
logically ordered reasons that are supported by facts and details. Link
opinion and reasons using words, phrases, and clauses (e.g., consequently, specifically). Provide a
concluding statement or section related to the opinion presented. Conduct
short research projects that use several sources to build knowledge through
investigation of different aspects of a topic. Recall
relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from
print and digital sources; summarize or paraphrase information in notes and
finished work, and provide a list of sources. Draw
evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection,
and research. Engage
effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups,
and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade
5 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own
clearly. Come to
discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly
draw on that preparation and other information known about the topic to
explore ideas under discussion. Follow
agreed-upon rules for discussions and carry out assigned roles. |
