Take a Poll, Debate the Issue: Environmental Policy—

Lesson Plan

Subjects

Social studies, history, government, science

Estimated Time

One to two 50-minute classes

Grade Level

7-12

Introduction

Where do students stand on environmental policy? In this lesson plan, have students
take a poll before and after they debate the issue to see if their views change.

Activity

As a warm-up, use this interactive Kahoot survey to allow students to share their
preliminary views on environmental policy. The teacher should go here on his or her
computer and select the "Player vs. Player" mode. Each student will require a
smartphone, laptop or computer and should go to the Kahoot website and enter the
Game PIN that will appear on the teacher's screen. It is the teacher's responsibility to
click to the next question once each student has answered.

[If you do not wish to have students play the game on their devices, then ask the
following questions: Do you believe that climate change is caused by human activities?
Do you believe that the U.S. government should invest in renewable energy sources?
Should the government prioritize environmental protections or economic growth?]

Have students complete the following:

1. Visit the PBS Election Central website's interactive map and click on
"Candidates & Issues" on the bottom right of the screen. Read the section entitled
"Environmental/Climate" to become familiarized with both sides of the issue.
2. View the three remaining candidates' quotes on the environment by selecting
their names in the "Environmental/Climate" section. Does the candidate you support
share your views?
3. Debate environmental policy with your classmates in a Socratic Seminar (group
discussion focusing on thoughtful and respectful responses in which the teacher only
interjects to facilitate the conversation) using the following questions:

Grades 7-9: Learn more about the challenges that surrounded the Paris talks using the
PBS NewsHour video story: 'How Paris is different from past climate change
negotiations.' What do the majority of scientists believe contributes to climate
change? What are some solutions they propose? Summarize some opposing viewpoints
on the sources of global warming and how society should address it.

Grades 10-12: Learn more about the challenges that surrounded the talks using
the PBS NewsHour video story: 'Can Paris produce a climate change deal that
sticks?' Read the tenets of the Paris Climate Agreement found here. What parts of the
agreement are most important? Are there any parts that are not important? What are
some of the costs and benefits involved? Are there any aspects that you would change?

Cite specific points of the Paris Climate Agreement as evidence.

All age groups: Write down 3-5 bullet points defending your position after the debate
once you know where you stand. Then, take the Kahoot survey above again. Did your
views change? Did overall class opinion change? If so, why? Discuss as a class.

Extension Activities

Watch PBS NewsHour's Extra's Daily News Story: 'Why does two degrees Celsius
matter to climate change?' Review key terms with students and see what they think
about climate change using the critical thinking questions.

Read and discuss the PBS NewsHour article 'Will climate change stop people from
visiting America's national parks?'

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.2 Analyze the main ideas and supporting details presented

in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how the
ideas clarify a topic, text, or issue under study.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.2 Analyze the purpose of information presented in diverse
media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and evaluate the motives (e.g.,
social, commercial, political) behind its presentation.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.2 Integrate multiple sources of information presented in
diverse media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) evaluating the credibility
and accuracy of each source.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.2 Integrate multiple sources of information presented in
diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) in order to make
informed decisions and solve problems, evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each
source and noting any discrepancies among the data.