S T U D E N T G U I D E
The Debate: Fossil Fuels vs. Alternative Energy Sources
Which side of the argument about fossil fuels seems stronger?
View this lesson at ThinkCERCA
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Table of Contents
Vocabulary Building
Direct Instruction Guide
STEP 1: Connect
STEP 2: Read
STEP 3: Engage with the Text
STEP 4: Summarize
STEP 5: Build an Argument
STEP 6: Create your CERCA
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Optional Extensions
Definition | Facts and Characteristics___ |
Examples | Non-examples___ |
Vocabulary Word:�
renewable resource
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V O C A B U L A R Y B U I L D I N G
Frayer Model �
The Frayer Model helps you learn vocabulary from different angles.�
Frayer Model
Read the Overview and click “Vocabulary” for this lesson at learn.thinkcerca.com.
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D I R E C T I N S T R U C T I O N G U I D E
Cornell Notes: Using Evidence to Ask and Answer Questions
Why do we ask questions? | We ask questions because… |
Why do good readers ask questions while they read? List at least two reasons. | Good readers ask questions while they read because… |
What are some examples of questions that you can ask using words like “why,” “who,” or “where?” | Some examples of questions that you can ask using words like “why,” “who,” or “where?” are…
|
Take notes on the lesson using the organizer below:
Watch the Direct Instruction lesson at learn.thinkcerca.com
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D I R E C T I N S T R U C T I O N G U I D E
Cornell Notes: Using Evidence to Ask and Answer Questions
(continued)
Summarize and Reflect
In your own words and in complete sentences, write a 3–4 sentence summary of this skills lesson. An accurate summary will cover the lesson's central ideas and include important details to support those ideas.
Record your summary here:
S T E P 1 : C O N N E C T
Finding Your Purpose for Learning
When you've finished reading the overview, answer the following questions in the space below:
What more would you like to learn about renewable resources, such as solar and wind power? What would you like to know about any advantages that there might be of using fossil fuels?
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Read the Topic Overview provided at learn.thinkcerca.com
S T E P 1 : C O N N E C T
Think-Pair-Share
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S T E P 2 : R E A D
Pause and Reflect
When you’ve finished reading, go back and find the questions in the text marked “Pause and Reflect.” These questions will help you connect the text to yourself, to other texts, or to the world around you.
Use the space on the left below to answer the reflection questions. Then, discuss your answers, noting how they were similar or different.
Record “Pause and Reflect” answers here:
Record discussion reflections here:
Read the text for this lesson at learn.thinkcerca.com
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S T E P 2 : R E A D
Test Prep Strategy: Pre-Reading Strategies
Pre-reading involves making predictions before you dive into a passage. This step, before you read, strengthens comprehension and test-taking skills.
Before reading, preview the text. If you are reading on a screen, scroll through the piece to determine its length. Then, look at the text and ask the following questions:
Asking these questions before reading will help you actively think about the text as you read, and after.
Refer to the reading for this lesson at learn.thinkcerca.com.
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S T E P 3 : E N G A G E W I T H T H E T E X T
Highlight and Annotate
In this step, you will analyze the text closely, then discuss your findings to begin developing reasoning for your argument.
The highlighting prompts will help you with the final writing task. You will find evidence to support your own argument or informational piece, as well as models of excellence that will help you better understand a writer’s craft in narratives. The evidence you highlight will be available when you begin building your draft in the next step.
Return to learn.thinkcerca.com to complete Step 3: Engage with the Text.
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S T E P 4 : S U M M A R I Z E
Write a Summary
Summaries help you process your thinking about a text and are often a great way to start off an argumentative or informational essay. A good summary shows you have knowledge about a topic.
Practicing summarizing also helps you prepare for the main idea questions posed on many standardized assessments. In addition, summarizing is a helpful skill for working with others, such as when you need to confirm your understanding of what someone else has said. That's a useful skill for all parts of life.
Your summary should:
Return to learn.thinkcerca.com to complete Step 4: Summarize.
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S T E P 5 : B U I L D A N A R G U M E N T
Collaborate: Share your Argument Builder
When you’ve completed the argument building step, share your results with others, and listen to how they responded to the same question. Ask questions and give feedback to help strengthen your partners’ reasons and evidence.
Which side of the argument about fossil fuels seems stronger? | |
Share Your Argument | Listen and Record Others |
1. | |
2. | |
3. | |
Complete Step 5 to begin building your argument at learn.thinkcerca.com
S T E P 6 : C R E A T E Y O U R C E R C A
Peer Editing Activity
Complete Step 6 to create your CERCA at learn.thinkcerca.com
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S T E P 6 : C R E A T E Y O U R C E R C A
Writing Reflection
Before you submit your final CERCA, write a brief reflection describing your experience.
An area for growth for me on this piece or in my writing in general is…
The strongest areas of this piece of writing are…
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Through self-assessment and/or peer editing, I learned…
Optional Extensions
The following activities can be used as optional extensions to this lesson.
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O P T I O N A L E X T E N S I O N : C O N N E C T I O N A C T I V I T Y
Energy Everywhere!
Background
Do you know there are many different kinds of energy? One type of energy is kinetic energy, which is energy caused by motion such as wind or water. Solar energy comes from the sun. Chemical energy comes from different substances reacting together; fossil fuels are chemical energy sources. These energy sources make up most of the energy we use to power our daily lives.
Instructions
For this activity, you will walk around your home or classroom to find these four forms of energy. You can also use your readings for examples of these energy forms.
Research
Complete the table below:
Share
With a partner, discuss the different systems you found. What do you notice about how these systems work?
Energy Source | Examples of Energy Source |
Solar Energy | |
Wind Energy | |
Water Energy | |
Chemical Energy | |
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O P T I O N A L E X T E N S I O N : I N Q U I R Y T O R E S E A R C H
Asking Questions of the Texts
As you engage with texts in any subject, you can actively ask questions about the author’s purpose, intended audience, and occasion to understand the message. The table below provides examples.
Approaches | Example |
Questions about the author | Is the author an authority on this topic? What was the author’s motivation in writing this piece? |
Questions about the audience, purpose, and occasion of the text | Why was this article written? Why was it published at this time? |
Questions about civics, economics, geography, and history | Are renewable energy resources always good for the environment? |
Questions about concepts and ideas | What are some of the advantages of fossil fuel use? |
Questions about self and community reflections | What could you do to use less energy? Would you be willing to make those changes? |
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O P T I O N A L E X T E N S I O N : I N Q U I R Y T O R E S E A R C H
Asking Questions of the Texts (continued)
Use the table below to record questions about the text you read.
Approaches | Questions |
Questions about the author | |
Questions about the audience, purpose, and occasion of the text | |
Questions about civics, economics, geography, and history | |
Questions about concepts and ideas | |
Self and Community Reflections | |
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