Big
Idea |
Persuasive
writing has numerous applications in the professional world,
the area of law being one. Environmental health issues
often come to the public’s attention when there are
documented problems. First the environmental health issues
need to be understood on a scientific level. Then solutions
must be implemented. If the parties involved cannot move
towards a mutually agreeable solution then the courts become
involved. When this happens the brief, a persuasive written
document, is a key component in proving that one course
of action is in the best interest for all parties involved. |
Essential
Question |
How
does one write an effective legal brief for an appeals case? |
Learning
Cycle |
Lesson
Title & Description |
Objective
Students will: |
Class
period & week |
Engage |
When
is it appropriate for a court case to be appealed?
Students will list the parts of a court
case. Then they will read the summary of an actual
court case, seeing how the arguments were made for
each side, what the judgment was, the grounds on which
the case was appealed, and the Supreme Court judgment. |
1. Synthesize
information from multiple sources to solve a problem
2. Demonstrate an understanding of why court cases are appealed
to a higher court |
|
Explore |
What
are legal briefs, what are their component parts, and how
would they be used in the appeal process?
Students will read examples of actual
legal briefs, dissecting them to see what their component
parts are. |
1. Identify
the central argument and component parts of a legal brief
that would be used in an appeals case
2.
Demonstrate an understanding of the specialized purpose of a
legal brief |
Classes
3
& 4
Week 1 |
Explain |
Doing
research for a legal brief
Students will begin by reading the
stipulated facts of the mock trial case of Ricki Jones
v. Metro City and the applicable law for the case. |
1. Synthesize
information from multiple sources to draw a conclusion about
an environmental health issue
2.
Research the legal, scientific, and specific environmental
health information necessary to write a legal brief for an
appeals court
|
Class 5
Week 1
Classes
1 & 2
Week 2
|
Apply |
Writing
a legal brief
Students will get together in their
groups to use the information that they found in the
previous lesson to write an appeals brief for their
side of the trial in Ricki Jones v. Metro City. |
1. Write
a persuasive document that contains the key components of a
legal brief for an appeals court |
Classes
3, 4 &5
Week 2 |
|
Big
Idea |
Every
genre of literature has evolved to give voice to a
realm of the human experience. Ever since the Industrial
Revolution mankind’s vision of reality has included
a projection forward to a time not yet lived, imbued
with limitless possibilities, often grounded in the
marvels of scientific inventions not yet feasible.
In science fiction the author’s use of imagery,
word choice, and theme create an alternative world
just as much as his or her accurate description of
implemented scientific theories and fantastic inventions. |
Essential
Question |
What
constitutes a science fiction short story and is it a
suitable vehicle for exploring the possible consequences
of actual current activities that impact environmental
health issues? |
Learning
Cycle |
Lesson
Title & Description |
Objective
Students will: |
Class
period & week |
Engage |
Beyond
the Realms of Conventional Fiction
Students will read the short story “All
Summer in a Day” by the famous science fiction
author Ray Bradbury. |
1. Read
a short story with understanding
2.
Analyze a short story using literary elements as an organizational
device
3.
Make connections between science fiction and other genres
of literature
4.
Identify the approach to writing and individual concerns
various authors have |
|
Explore |
Exploring
Science Fiction
Students will read one or more science
fiction short stories or an entire novel if they are
so motivated. |
1. Read
a short story with understanding
2. Analyze a short story using literary elements as an organizational
device |
|
Explain |
Identifying
Science Fiction
Students will discuss the works of
science fiction that they read in the Explore Lesson,
highlighting the aspects that made each a part of the
genre of science fiction. |
1. Synthesize
information from multiple sources to create a definition
of science fiction
2.
Apply the criteria created to a short story
|
1
days |
Apply |
A
Formal Analysis of Science Fiction
Students will use the observations
that they made on how the short story they read qualifies
as science fiction and any notes that they took in
the Explain Lesson class discussion to write a five
paragraph expository theme. |
1. Write
a five paragraph expository theme
2. Apply the literary elements of science fiction writing to
a particular story
3.
Write using the conventions of English properly |
2
days |
