Standard #: LAFS.68.WHST.1.2 (Archived Standard)


This document was generated on CPALMS - www.cpalms.org



Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events, scientific procedures/ experiments, or technical processes.
  1. Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information into broader categories as appropriate to achieving purpose; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
  2. Develop the topic with relevant, well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.
  3. Use appropriate and varied transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
  4. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
  5. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone.
  6. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented.


Related Courses

Course Number1111 Course Title222
2002040: M/J Comprehensive Science 1 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2002050: M/J Comprehensive Science 1, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2002070: M/J Comprehensive Science 2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2002080: M/J Comprehensive Science 2, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2002100: M/J Comprehensive Science 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2002110: M/J Comprehensive Science 3, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2001010: M/J Earth/Space Science (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2001020: M/J Earth/Space Science, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2000010: M/J Life Science (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2000020: M/J Life Science, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2003010: M/J Physical Science (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2003020: M/J Physical Science, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2100010: M/J United States History (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2100015: M/J United States History & Career Planning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2100020: M/J United States History Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2100025: M/J United States History Advanced & Career Planning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2100030: M/J Florida History (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2103010: M/J World Geography (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2103015: M/J World Geography (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2103016: M/J World Geography & Career Planning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2103020: M/J World Geography, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2103025: M/J World Geography, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020 (course terminated))
2103026: M/J World Geography, Advanced and Career Planning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019 (course terminated))
2103030: M/J Geography: Asia, Oceania, Africa (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2103040: M/J Geography: Europe and The Americas (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019 (course terminated))
2103042: M/J Geography: Europe and The Americas & Career Planning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018 (course terminated))
2103050: M/J Florida: Challenges and Choices (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018 (course terminated))
2104000: M/J Social Studies (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2105020: M/J World Cultures (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2105025: M/J World Cultures & Career Planning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2105030: M/J Advanced World Cultures (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2106010: M/J Civics (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2106015: M/J Civics (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2106016: M/J Civics & Career Planning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2106020: M/J Civics, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2106025: M/J Civics, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2106026: M/J Civics, Advanced & Career Planning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2106030: M/J Law Studies (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2109010: M/J World History (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2109020: M/J World History, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
0701000: M/J French, Beginning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0701010: M/J French, Intermediate (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0701020: M/J French, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0702000: M/J German, Beginning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0702010: M/J German, Intermediate (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0702020: M/J German, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0703000: M/J Haitian Creole for Haitian Creole Speakers, Beginning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2017 (course terminated))
0703010: M/J Haitian Creole for Haitian Creole Speakers, Intermediate (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2017 (course terminated))
0703020: M/J Haitian Creole for Haitian Creole Speakers, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2017 (course terminated))
0705000: M/J Italian, Beginning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0705010: M/J Italian, Intermediate (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0705020: M/J Italian, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0706000: M/J Latin, Beginning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0706010: M/J Latin, Intermediate (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0706020: M/J Latin, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0708000: M/J Spanish, Beginning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0708010: M/J Spanish, Intermediate (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0708020: M/J Spanish, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0709000: M/J Spanish for Spanish Speakers, Beginning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
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0709020: M/J Spanish for Spanish Speakers, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0711000: M/J Japanese Beginning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0711010: M/J Japanese Intermediate (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0711020: M/J Japanese Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0710000: M/J Foreign Language Humanities for International Studies 1 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0710010: M/J Foreign Language Humanities for International Studies 2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0710020: M/J Foreign Language Humanities for International Studies 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0704000: M/J American Sign Language - Beginning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0704010: M/J American Sign Language - Intermediate (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0704020: M/J American Sign Language - Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0707000: M/J Chinese - Beginning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0707010: M/J Chinese - Intermediate (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0707020: M/J Chinese - Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
7820015: Access M/J Comprehensive Science 1 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
7820016: Access M/J Comprehensive Science 2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
7820017: Access M/J Comprehensive Science 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2104030: M/J United States Economics Geography (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019 (course terminated))
2104035: M/J United States Economics & Geography Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019 (course terminated))
7821023: Access M/J Civics and Career Planning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2019, 2019 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
7821026: Access M/J United States History and Career Planning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2019, 2019 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
7821022: Access M/J World History (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
7821021: Access M/J Civics (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2100035: M/J United States History Digital Technologies (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018 (course terminated))
2103017: M/J World Geography and Digital Technologies (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2104010: M/J Engaged Citizenship through Service Learning 1 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2104020: M/J Engaged Citizenship through Service Learning 2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2106029: M/J Civics and Digital Technologies (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2002055: M/J Comprehensive Science 1 Accelerated Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2002085: M/J Comprehensive Science 2 Accelerated Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0712000: M/J Turkish, Beginning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0712010: M/J Turkish, Intermediate (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0712020: M/J Turkish, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
7821025: Access M/J United States History (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2100045: M/J United States History & Civics (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
0710030: M/J Language and Literature for International Studies 1 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2017 (course terminated))
0710040: M/J Language and Literature for International Studies 2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2017 (course terminated))
0708100: M/J Exploratory Spanish, Beginning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2003030: M/J STEM Physical Science (Specifically in versions: 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2001025: M/J STEM Astronomy and Space Science (Specifically in versions: 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2000025: M/J STEM Life Science (Specifically in versions: 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0701005: M/J Exploratory French, Beginning (Specifically in versions: 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0701015: M/J Exploratory French, Intermediate (Specifically in versions: 2015 - 2021 (course terminated))
0708105: M/J Exploratory Spanish, Intermediate (Specifically in versions: 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0703030: M/J Exploring Haitian Creole Heritage (Specifically in versions: 2015 and beyond (current))
2109015: M/J World History and Career Planning (Specifically in versions: 2016 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2109025: M/J World History, Advanced and Career Planning (Specifically in versions: 2016 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
0706005: M/J Exploratory Latin, Beginning (Specifically in versions: 2016 and beyond (current))
0704100: M/J Hebrew Beginning (Specifically in versions: 2017 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0704110: M/J Hebrew Intermediate (Specifically in versions: 2017 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0704120: M/J Hebrew Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2017 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0713000: M/J Portuguese Beginning (Specifically in versions: 2017 - 2020, 2020 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0713010: M/J Portuguese Intermediate (Specifically in versions: 2017 - 2020, 2020 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0713020: M/J Portuguese Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2017 - 2020, 2020 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0707100: M/J Russian Beginning (Specifically in versions: 2018 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0707110: M/J Russian Intermediate (Specifically in versions: 2018 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0707120: M/J Russian Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2018 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2104060: M/J Introduction to Personal Financial Literacy (Specifically in versions: 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
7821024: Access M/J World History and Career Planning (Specifically in versions: 2019 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))


Related Resources

Lesson Plans

Name Description
Cell Recycling: Nobel Awarded for Unveiling How Cells Recycle Their Trash

In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text intended to support reading in the content area. Cell biologist, Yoshinori Ohsumi, won the Nobel Prize for medicine for his research of how cells recycle unused materials in order to maintain homeostasis. The text describes his research and contains statements from other scientists supporting Ohsumi as the right choice for the award. This lesson includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys and a writing rubric.

Arctic Algae

In this lesson, students will analyze an intended to support reading in the content area. The article explains how climate change is reducing the amount of sea ice in the Arctic Ocean. Within this sea ice is found algae that forms the base of Arctic food webs. As the sea ice goes, so does the algae, which in turn could affect the entire Arctic ecosystem. This lesson includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric.

Pandas and Horses "Duke It Out"

In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text designed to support reading in the content area. The article introduces readers to a new threat to giant panda survival: horses. The article explains how both species are competing for the limited bamboo supply in the Wolong Nature Reserve. This lesson includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric.

Sneaky! Virus Sickens Plants, but Helps Them Multiply

In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text intended to support reading in the content area. The article describes one common virus that takes a sneaky route to success. It doesn't kill its leafy hosts, instead, it makes infected plants smell more attractive to bees. This ensures the virus will have a new generation of the plants to host it in the future. This lesson includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a rubric.

Evolution in the City

In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text intended to support reading in the content area. This article describes new research suggesting urban life creates evolutionary changes in plants and animals. Examples of changes to an urban growing plant (the white clover) and a Leapin' Lizard are described as they evolve to suit their new environment. This lesson includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric.

What’s the Buzz about the Bee Population?

In this lesson, students will analyze an article that introduces readers to the importance and role of pollinators, factors contributing to their current decline, and easy steps that can be taken to help pollinators. This lesson is designed to support reading in the content area. This lesson includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric.

Proxima b: How Earth-like Is It?

In this lesson, students will analyze an intended to support reading in the content area. The article showcases the recent discovery of a planet orbiting our nearest star that may have the necessary ingredients to harbor life. The possibly Earth-like planet is 4 light years away, however. How might we explore it in greater detail? The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. Numerous options to extend the lesson are also included.

Holy Jumping Earthworms, Batman!

In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text that shows how a seemingly harmless invasive species of jumping worm may cause much more destruction than once thought. The Asian jumping worm eats the debris on the forest floor at a rate that out-competes the native worms so much so that it is causing a number of problems, including forest re-growth. This lesson plan is designed to support reading in the content area. It includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric.

Zika Virus Arrives in the Americas

In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text that describes the spread of the Zika virus through the Americas and its arrival in the United States. The text describes how the virus is carried by specific species of mosquitoes that are common in Florida and other warmer areas of the United States. An added concern with Zika is the link to microcephaly, a neurological disorder affecting fetuses and infants from infected mothers. The text also describes other viruses in the larger group that Zika belongs to and how these viruses affect the human body. This lesson is designed to support reading in the content area. The lesson plan includes a reading guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. Options to extend the lesson are also included.

Pokemontures App.

In this Model Eliciting Activity (MEA), students will understand how global patterns affect the temperature of an area by studying the features of an application's virtual creatures called the "Pokemontures." These creatures have the ability to match the temperature of their environment. As students study the Pokemontures' features and calculate their approximate temperature, they will apply concepts linked to the patterns that affect temperature. Students will also review heat transfers and sea/land breezes with the use of this MEA.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. MEAs resemble engineering problems and encourage students to create solutions in the form of mathematical and scientific models. Students work in teams to apply their knowledge of science and mathematics to solve an open-ended problem, while considering constraints and tradeoffs. Students integrate their ELA skills into MEAs as they are asked to clearly document their thought process. MEAs follow a problem-based, student centered approach to learning, where students are encouraged to grapple with the problem while the teacher acts as a facilitator. To learn more about MEA’s visit: https://www.cpalms.org/cpalms/mea.aspx

Robots Get a Job

In this MEA, students will select the robots that are more efficient at doing a certain type of job. They will have to analyze data tables that include force, force units, mass, mass units, and friction.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Moons: Searching for Signs of Life on 'Water Worlds'

In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text that explains the importance of examining moons in our solar system for signs of life. The text provides evidence on several moons of Saturn and Jupiter and explains how these moons might be good candidates for potentially harboring life, in part due to the presence of water. This lesson is designed to support reading in the content area. The lesson plan includes a graphic organizer, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. Numerous options to extend the lesson are also included.

Lightning Strikes!

In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text that addresses what causes lightning and thunder. The text also outlines ways to stay safe during a lightning storm. This informational text is designed to support reading in the content area. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric.

Organelles to Scale

In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text that addresses organelles in terms of their size, characteristics, and functions. This article, designed to support reading in the content area, "shrinks" the student to put the size of certain organelles in perspective with familiar objects/places. It also describes the characteristics and functions of the nucleus, certain membranes, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, Golgi apparatus, and the mitochondria. This lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. Numerous options to extend the lesson are also included.

The Jet Stream: Rivers of Air

In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text intended to support reading in the content area. The article begins by defining the jet stream and then describes how the Earth's rotation and axis affect the movement of wind bands around the earth. Interactions from variables such as the locations of high and low pressure systems, warm and cold air, and seasonal changes are also discussed. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. Options to extend the lesson are also included.

The Physics Behind the Fun

In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text that describes the physics of roller coasters. This informational text is designed to support reading in the content area. The article was written to answer the question, "Why don't I fall out when a roller coaster goes upside down?" The article is an interesting combination of scientific information about physics of roller coasters along with some fun facts. The lesson plan includes text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric.

Land Management from Outer Space

In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text that explains how ranchers in Australia are using satellite data to more effectively manage their land. The text also describes how NASA's satellite technology is used by farmers in other parts of the world, providing them with data to help them track changes to their land in near real-time and over time. This lesson is designed to support reading in the content area. This lesson includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions and a writing prompt, sample answer keys, and a writing rubric.

Spheres all around us!

In this lesson, the students will learn about the five spheres of the Earth and how they interact.

It's Getting Hot in Here

Students will look at heat transfer and investigate radiation, conduction, and convection.

The Lewis and Clark Expedition

In this lesson, students will analyze the challenges faced by the Lewis and Clark Expedition, also known as the Corps of Discovery Expedition, and the effect the journey had on American history and Native American cultures.

Family Fishing Trip MEA

Students will analyze a set of data to determine the best location for a family fishing trip based on annual and monthly weather patterns. Students will consider average number of rainy days, wind speed, average number of sunny days, and relative humidity for each location.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Education and the Economy

Students will learn about how investing in education affects the economy by interpreting data and writing a persuasive letter to the Chamber of Commerce.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Fast Food Frenzy

In this activity, students will engage critically with nutritional information and macronutrient content of several fast food meals. This is an MEA that requires students to build on prior knowledge of nutrition and working with percentages.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Concert Venue Building Materials MEA

Students will analyze sets of data to determine what construction company proposal would be best suited for building an outdoor concert venue. Students will need to consider sound quality to the concert patrons, disturbances to the local community, and safety.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Levee Construction Company MEA

Students will analyze a set of data to determine what type of construction material would be best to construct a levee out of. Students will consider not only cost, but also ecological impact and disturbances to the local community.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Great Leaders of Ancient Egypt In this lesson, students will learn about seven of Egypt's most famous pharaohs. They will discuss leadership styles and draw conclusions about the success of each of these pharaohs. After learning about the personality and life of each pharaoh, students will break into groups to create in-depth projects about one of these seven pharaohs and will teach others in the class about this leader.
Shake It Up

After creating a series of simulated earthquakes with various magnitudes in a virtual manipulative online, the students will investigate liquefaction by shaking fishing weights on top of three types of soil. Upon completion of journal notes on earthquakes, students will write an essay explaining the cause of earthquakes, the ways energy from earthquakes moves, and the effects of earthquakes on the Earth's surface.

Profit Plaza

This lesson requires students to use mathematical data and logic/reasoning to place vendors into retail spaces in a shopping plaza. Students will first rank five vendor types on their profitability (based on average sales and average overhead/upkeep costs), then place the vendor types into the 11-13 retail spaces. They are also required to find the area of each space and calculate the total leasing charges. The plans for the plaza are given on a coordinate plane, so students will need to find the lengths of horizontal and vertical line segments (using the coordinates of the endpoints) to calculate the areas of the rectangular and composite spaces.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Survival Journal Part Three: Surviving the Epidemic: Planting Tomatoes

This is a detailed lesson based on the germination of seeds, science vocabulary of plants, diseases, and insect infestations with tomato plants. Tomatoes grow nutrients that the human body needs to survive. It is a companion lesson to: Survival Journal Parts 1 and 2 available on CPALMS.

How Fast can Dominoes Travel in a Chain Reaction?

The students will complete an inquiry activity using dominoes to determine what variables affect the speed of the chain reaction. Students will have to consider and decide on the best spacing between dominoes to achieve the fastest travel time and ensure the spacing remains constant by carefully measuring the distance between each domino. They will set up 5 dominoes at a time to set off a chain reaction alongside another 5 dominoes space differently. Students can create a bar graph to show how the spacing affects the speed. Students can have fun while learning or reinforcing their understanding of potential and kinetic energy, measuring distance, measuring elapsed time, recording data, making and interpreting graphs and using the distance formula to calculate the rate of speed.

Survival Journal Part One: Surviving the Epidemic

In this lesson, each student will explain and document in a science journal how they will over come a natural disaster/plague for 15 days. They will continue with part two of this lesson "Outdoor Gardening."

The Physics of Land Yachting

In this lesson, students will explore motion related to an object in terms of its change in position over time compared to a reference point.

Students will be given a variety of simple materials to create and test their very own land yachts to explore motion.

Atomic Theory Exhibit

Students take visitors on a trip through time to view the development of the atomic theory. During the presentation they list scientists who contributed to our understanding, give dates, and display diagrams that represent the atom in various stages of its development.

Dig It! (A Thematic Integrated Geology Unit)

This lesson (2 parts) is an engaging way to strengthen student understanding of the Law of Superposition and evidence of Earth's changes over time. Students will excavate "fossils" from plastic tubs in class and then have the option of a larger outside excavation. The lesson not only supports science benchmarks but Math and Language Arts Standards as well and has an optional Social Studies extension. Materials are required but can be easily obtained and are reusable year after year. The more imagination you put into setting the context, the more powerful the lesson's outcome.

Block the Rays

This is a 6th grade MEA. This MEA will ask students to work as a team to rank various fabrics to see which one is the best at blocking the sun.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Boxing Candles

This lesson is designed for 7th grade students and is best suited for advanced students. It can be used (with modifications) in the general education classroom for 7th grade or in an advanced 6th grade classroom. In this MEA, students select jars for candles based on a variety of factors and then design boxes to contain the jars.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Fastest Route

This MEA requires students to formulate a comparison-based solution to a problem involving finding the fastest driving routes from home to work considering different aspects. Students are provided the context of the problem, a request letter from a client asking them to provide a recommendation, and data relevant to the situation. Students utilize the data to create a defensible model solution to present to the client.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Mystery Powder Investigation

Students will use their skills as scientists to identify a mystery white powder. This lesson is a hands-on, engaging way to build students' understanding of physical and chemical properties of several common compounds.

Text Resources

Name Description
Nobel Awarded for Unveiling How Cells Recycle Their Trash

This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. The article highlights the work of cell biologist, Yoshinori Ohsumi, who won the Nobel Prize for physiology for his research on how cells recycle unused materials in order to maintain homeostasis. Ohsumi studied what the cell did if it started to "starve." He noticed how the cell would start "eating" some of the parts it didn't really need in order to survive. This process is called autophagy. Scientists hope that Ohsumi’s discovery will help find a cure for diseases like Alzheimer's, which is caused by cell trash buildup in the brain.

Belly up to the Bamboo Buffet: Pandas vs. Horses

This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. In parts of China, pandas are threatened by horses. The pandas have a specific diet - bamboo that grows on the gently sloping areas far from human populations. But some farmers allow their horses to roam free and graze upon bamboo, taking away the only source of food for pandas.

It's Blackberry Season! Summer Fruits Depend on Pollinators. But Where Have All the Bees Gone?

This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. The article introduces the reader to the importance and role of pollinators, factors contributing to their decline, and easy steps that can be taken to help pollinators.

Plants, Animals Adapt to City Living

This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. It describes new research suggesting urban life creates evolutionary changes in plants and animals. Examples of changes to an urban growing plant (the white clover) and a Leapin' Lizard are presented as they evolve to suit their new environment.

Zika Virus Raises Alarm as It Spreads in the Americas

This resource is designed to support reading in the content area. The text describes the emergence of the Zika virus and the threat it may pose to the United States. Information is provided about how the virus is transmitted, and the connection between Zika and microcephaly is explored.

Sun's Nearest Stellar Neighbor May Have Earth-Like Planet

This resource is intended to support reading in the content area. The text includes information on a newly discovered planet that orbits the nearest star to our sun. Proxima b, while close, is actually quite far—more than four light years from our sun—yet it shows potential for life, close enough for the planet to receive radiation and energy from its star. The article also discusses the possibility of sending robotic missions there using new technology that could perhaps reach the planet in twenty years.

Earthworms: Can These Gardeners' Friends Actually Become Foes?

This resource is designed to support reading in the content area. The article describes new research on the ways Asian jumping worms are affecting American forests. Findings show they are much more of a problem than initially feared. Because Asian jumping worms have bigger appetites than other earthworms found in the U.S., they are much more successful at eating the debris on the forest floor. This exposes vulnerable areas that may bring more diseases and invasive plants. It can also prevent delicate seedlings from taking root.

Amazing Moons

This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. This article from NASA addresses how our solar system’s moons may be a more interesting study than some of the planets because they show a possibility of harboring life due to their composition, atmospheres and presence of water.

What Causes Thunder and Lightning?

This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. The text describes what causes lightning and examines the science behind cloud-to-ground lightning strikes. It also discusses what causes thunder and explains why we see the lightning before we hear the thunder. The last section of the text provides important rules about lightning safety and lists ways to stay safe during a lightning storm.

The Jet Stream

This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. The purpose of the article is to define and describe the jet stream. It explains how the earth's rotation and axis affect the movement of wind bands around the Earth. Interactions from variables such as locations of high and low pressure systems, warm and cold air, and seasonal changes are also discussed.

The Amazing World Inside a Human Cell

This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. This article describes some of the organelles in a cell and explains their functions. It takes students "inside" the cell, by "shrinking" the students and giving the students perspective to the size of these organelles by comparing them to familiar objects.

Satellite Data Help Australian Ranchers Meet the Rising Demand for Meat in a Changing World

This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. The article is provided by NASA and discusses how farmers in Australia are able to use digital data provided by U.S. satellites. These farmers are able to use this satellite data to monitor the condition of their land, and enables them to better manage their farms. The author also provides additional examples of how this data is used by countries throughout the world. The article helps demonstrate how space technology positively impacts the world. The text also discusses the impact of human activities on the environment.

Why Don't I Fall Out When a Roller Coaster Goes Upside Down?

This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. This short article was written to answer the question, "Why don't I fall out when a roller coaster goes upside down?" The answer to the question results in an interesting article that combines scientific information about the physics of roller coasters, along with some fun facts and photographs.

Move Over Cheetah: Mite Sets New Speed Record

This informational text supports reading in the content area. This text discusses the findings of studying mite speed and mite's affinity for high temperatures. The article explores how the data could be used in the field of biomechanics.

Curiosity Lands on Mars!

This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. In 2012, the rover Curiosity was sent on a mission to Mars in order to explore the planet for signs of life. This article describes the research required to build the rover, its flight and landing on Mars, and the objectives of its mission.

How Does Going To The Bathroom in Space Work?

This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. This is a clearly organized high-interest informative text explaining how astronauts use the bathroom, sleep and eat in zero gravity. The web version has a video, library of photos, and many other related sites that students can independently investigate.

Deforestation

This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. This article discusses deforestation, its causes, and its effects on ecosystems.

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