Elaborate: 20 minutes
Take a Stand
You will provide students with a statement to which they will either agree or disagree. Assign a side of the room that will represent “agree” and a side of the room that will represent “disagree”. Explain there is no middle ground, thus the title – Take a Stand.
Let students know you will be asking them to share why they chose the side they did as well as provide strong evidence for their agreement or disagreement.
If this is your first experience with this type of activity, it can be like pulling teeth, but after using this type of learning tool you will find it will strengthen your students’ ability to think critically, support claims with evidence, and build their confidence as well.
*Important Note* This activity should reflect a zero tolerance atmosphere. Students should feel free to share their voice without penalty or criticism from the class.
Statements
Choose one or more of the following statements.
- Impacts from climate change are occurring now.
- Only people with a Ph.D. can be considered credible sources.
- You can’t be a scientist and be religious or vice versa, you can’t be religious and believe in science.
- Climate change is not a global problem.
- Water scarcity cannot cause war.
- Climate change affects wildlife.
- Water scarcity is a non-issue because about 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered in water.