Teacher's Guide
Scenario
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Your homework assignment was to watch the evening
news to gather information about a current event, but
all you hear about is the pollution in Maryland's water
and air. You come to school the next day all
worried and ask your teacher, "How serious is the
pollution problem in Maryland?" You also ask,
"Which is the more serious problem: air or water
pollution?"
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Zap! Just like that, your teacher says,
"What a great topic for a debate!" Now,
you and your classmates need to work in a group of four
to research the seriousness and effects of either water
or air pollution. You will present the results of
your research in a debate to be held in front of all
your classmates.
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Essential Question: Which affects the health
of everyone who lives in Maryland more - water or air
pollution?
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Task and Product
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Your task is to produce your group's answer to the
controversial question about which affects the health of
everyone who lives in Maryland more - water pollution or air
pollution. REMEMBER that a debate is a logical
argument, not an emotional one! You must research
the facts of the issue and present the facts in a logical
and persuasive manner if your group is to win the debate.
After completing your research,
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Each group signs up to debate their position.
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Groups with opposing viewpoints will debate each
other.
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Each group will receive two minutes for their
opening statements.
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Each group will then be given three minutes for
rebuttals. Remember that you can not speak
out of turn. You must wait until it is your
group's turn for rebuttal to bring up any points you
think the other team overlooked.
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Each team is then given two minutes for the closing
statement. Remember that the closing statement is
your last chance to influence or sway the opinion of the
judges who will decide the winner of the debate.
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Assessments
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Note-taking Rubric
Judging Debate Teams Rubric
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Question
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Essential Question: Which affects the health of everyone
who lives in Maryland more - water or air pollution?
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Subsidiary questions
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How does pollution reach our waterways?
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How does pollution reach our air?
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How serious is the problem of water pollution in Maryland?
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How serious is the problem of air pollution in Maryland?
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What are the effects of water pollution on Marylander's health?
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What are the effects of air pollution on Marylander's health?
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Which is the more serious problem - water or air pollution?
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Gather and Sort
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Sort your research findings using a graphic
organizer. Be sure to avoid plagiarism
and keep track of your resources for a bibliography.
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Organize
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Analyze your completed
graphic organizer.
Synthesize your findings by
| organizing your information into an outline containing your
strongest points
| preparing your opening statement for the debate | preparing
your arguments for rebuttal | creating a persuasive,
logical closing argument
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Evaluate the effectiveness of your research for the
task.
| Have you gathered sufficient details
to sway the judges to support your position in the debate?
| Is your research reflected in your opening
statement? Rebuttal? Closing statement?
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Conclusion
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Reflection and/or Extension Activities: Discuss
which team you thought best debated the issues and
why. Now that you have heard both sides of the
argument, in a Brief Constructed Response discuss whether
air or water pollution presents a more serious threat to the
health of people living in Maryland.
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