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 to students to share why they chose the side they did as well as provide strong evidence for their agreement or disagreement. If you have never done this before with your students it can be like pulling teeth, but after using this type of tool you will find it has strengthen your student’s ability to think critically, support their claims with evidence, as well as build their confidence.
*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.
- Losing the entire population of orangutans of elephants will have a ripple effect throughout many ecosystems.
- Wildfires that are so hot they burn the soil are bad, but it will be okay because they will grow back some day.
- There are no costs associated with wildfires.
- There is evidence to support corruption within the Indonesian government.
- I can’t vote so I can’t make a difference.
- Tree rings, bark beetles, weather measurements, and personal accounts are all pieces of evidence that help support human caused climate change.