Intro to Agriculture – Online Final

Letter to a Representative
Directions:
For your final you will need to pick and research one of the topics below. You will write a letter to our Representative Mary Young or Senator John
Cooke expressing your point of view on the topic you choose. This final is a chance for you to ADVOCATE about something that should matter to
you and agriculture. You will be able to respectfully voice your opinion and understand how to get it to someone who can make a difference.
Topics to choose from:
1. Wolf reintroduction in Colorado
2. Drought AID for Weld County farmers
3. Why Agriculture Education should be in EVERY high school!
Your letter must include:
● State the purpose of your letter in the first few sentences.
● Be polite and concise.
● Include key information.
● Use examples to support your position.
● Keep the letter to one page and discuss only one issue.
● Propose a solution for the issue or topic.
● Use two or more sources for correct and reliable information.
You will need to address your letter to either House Representative Mary Young or Senator John Cooke
Examples Letters:
https://cdn.ymaws.com/sites/cppa.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/docs/legislation/SampleLetter.pdf
https://www.asbmb.org/advocacy/toolkit/write-a-letter-to-your-legislator
https://vop.org/gallery/write-your-representative/
Rubric for Assignment:
Criteria Excellent (5) Very Good / Good (4-3) Fair (2-1) Needs Work (0)
 Content Letter included key
information that was
meaningful to the topic they
chose.
The student cited TWO
sources or more for specific
examples.
Provides well thought out
solution that is easy to
understand and follow.
Format The purpose was stated at
the beginning of the letter.
The letter is one page.
The student only has one
issue in the letter.
Tone is polite, yet
respectful.
Creativity The letter was written with
creative details in content
and format.
Conventions Demonstrates full sentences
and careful proofreading.
Included key information
that was meaningful to the
topic.
Cited two or more sources
for specific examples.
Provided a solution but was
lacking some detail.
The purpose was stated at
the beginning of the letter.
Letter is more or less than
one page.
Tone is appropriate (polite
or respectful).
Creative details are
occasionally present.
Good vocabulary.
Good sentence structure.
One spelling or grammar
mistake
Standard & Value to Student
Standards:
Missed some key
information or was not fully
detailed.
Cited only one example
Failed to provide a plausible
solution.
The purpose was stated at
the beginning of the letter.
Letter is more or lesson than
one page.
Tone is NOT appropriate.
Simple sentences.
Elementary vocabulary.
Choppy sentences.
Total: ______________________ / 20 points
Missing key information.
Did not provide adequate
examples or failed to provide
a solution.
The purpose was not stated
or was in the wrong part of
the letter.
Student may have written
only 1 to 2 sentences.
Tone was inappropriate for
type of letter.
Incorrect sentence structure.
Many misspellings or
incorrect grammar.
 English Standards: Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics
or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
(CCSS: W.9-10.1)

Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development,

organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
(Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in
expectations 1 and 2 above.) (CCSS: W.9-10.4)

Agriculture Standards: ESS.02.01.03.a. Research policies, practices and initiatives common in

business and advocacy groups associated with environmental service
systems.
ESS.02.01.03.b. Assess the intent, feasibility and effectiveness of
policies, practices and initiatives common in business and advocacy
groups associated with environmental service systems.
ESS.02.01.03.c. Evaluate the impact of policies, practices and initiatives
common in business and advocacy groups associated with
environmental service systems on wildlife, people, the environment
and the economy

Value of Assignment to Student:

● Students can understand how to effectively advocate for themselves in a respective manner.
● Demonstrates civic responsibility
● Exhibits social justice action.
● Show the importance of agriculture in our world.