Lesson Plan Rubric

Rock Properties Debate (session 2) Essential Question: Is it worth mining rocks/minerals for their valuable properties despite the impact to people, cultures and the environment? Goals: Students will research the special properties of different rocks/minerals that are considered valuable in society. Students will recognize the pros and cons of mining for rocks/minerals. Students will debate if certain rocks (diamonds, gold, coal, copper) should be mined or not using visual displays and research as evidence. Materials: Scientific Articles/News articles highlighting the pros and cons of mining copper, coal, diamonds and gold. Computers to create google doc debate presentations Common Core Standards: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.1 Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.6 Analyze multiple accounts of the same event or topic, noting important similarities and differences in the point of view they represent. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.9 Integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.5.4 Report on a topic or text or present an opinion, sequencing ideas logically and using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly at an understandable pace. Class Sequence (and Timing): Engage: Present to the students rocks/minerals that they are likely to be familiar with. Show Examples about how they rely on certain rocks/minerals everyday! Teacher will present the challenge to the students. Design/Conduct Investigations: Students will use research articles to find evidence to support their claim.

Draw Conclusions: They will then use their research to debate their point of view. Communicate: Students will present in debate form their argument for their assigned rock/mineral. VINS decision panel will be present to hear the debates and decide which side of the debate was the most persuasive.