• NJSLSA Standards: 
  • NJSLSA.R2. Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.
  • NJSLSA.R4. Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone. 

Teacher Handouts: 

sustainability_qs.docx
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sustainability.docx
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writing_rubric.docx
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sustainability_exit_ticket.jpg
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• Objective: We will be able to describe the changes you will make to live a sustainable lifestyle.
• Agenda
  • Do-Now
    • Think-Pair-Share  
  • Introduction on Sustainability 
  • Reading Passage
    • Guided Reading Questions 
  • Wrap-Up Discussion
  • Writing Assignment
  • Closure
    • Exit Ticket

Intro: Do-Now

• Think: Describe a time that you did something nice for someone else, a Random Act of Kindness.  Did you get any financial reward in return?  If not, why did you do it? 
  • Think of your answer, be ready to share with your partner. 
• Pair: Discuss with a Partner
  • After discussing your response with your partner, be ready to explain their answer to the rest of the class.  Everyone will be called on so be prepared! 
• Share: Share your partners answer with the rest of the class.  
  • Explain how your partners experience compares to yours.  How were they similar/different? 

Sustainability 

For Earth Day, you will learn about several major issues we are facing concerning our planet.  Some of the major issues include the impact of deforestation, pollution and our carbon footprint.  You will learn about the 3 R's: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.  Similar to your Random Act of Kindness, your reward for taking care of the planet is the intrinsic value that you did the right thing to help save our planet for future generations.
Now, you will learn more about Sustainability by reading a passage, but first let's review the vocab words that you will see in the reading.  

Vocab

• depletion: consuming a particular amount of something until it is gone
  
• impactful: having a major effect 
• perishable: able to rot organically
• consumption: the process of eating 

Guided Student Practice

​NJSLSA.RI2: Main Ideas & Themes

1. Which of the following describes the central idea of the text?
   
   1. Cars are one of the leading contributors of greenhouse gas emissions.
      
   2. Taking small steps to live a sustainable lifestyle can make a big difference.
      
   3. It will be impossible to get the Earth back to its original state.
      
   4. Meat production can be extremely harmful for the environment.
      

NJSLSA.RI2: Main Ideas & Themes

1. How is the central idea developed over the course of the text?
   
   1. by detailing the problem and explaining why it is unsolvable
      
   2. by introducing several people who live sustainable lifestyles
      
   3. by predicting what the Earth will be like if our lifestyles do not change
      
   4. by providing several examples of sustainable practices
      

NJSLSA.RI2: Main Ideas & Themes

1. Which of the following details should be included in an objective summary of the text? Select all that apply.
   
   1. Buying locally made products helps limit energy use and pollution.
      
   2. Overgrazing can lead to erosion, impacting the quality of the land.
      
   3. Everybody should become a vegetarian due to the negative impact of meat.
      
   4. Natural gas is the top source of electricity in the United States.
      

NJSLSA.RI4: Word Meaning & Choice

1. Which of the following describe the tone of the first sentence of the text?
   
   1. desperation
      
   2. Humorous
      
   3. sarcastic
      
   4. Affectionate
      

NJSLSA.RI4: Word Meaning & Choice

1. What is the meaning of the word "negligible" as used in the second paragraph of the text?
   
   1. likely
      
   2. Major
      
   3. Insignificant
      
   4. Useful
      

NJSLSA.RI4: Word Meaning & Choice

1. What is the meaning of the word "forgo" in the sixth paragraph?
   
   1. keep
      
   2. give up
      
   3. Enjoy
      
   4. Steal
      

Wrap-Up Discussion Questions

​1. Do small steps taken by individuals or big steps taken by environmentalists have a bigger
impact on the environment? Explain why.
2. Which sustainability techniques should we consider using while we shop?
3. Which sustainability techniques should we consider using while we eat?
4. How do the values of society affect the environment?
5. Which sustainability techniques can you incorporate into your daily lifestyle?
6. In your opinion, what is most difficult about living a sustainable lifestyle? Why?

Independent Student Practice: Writing Assignment 

​Writing Assignment: After learning about Sustainability, describe the changes you will make to live a sustainable lifestyle in a short essay.

Evaluation: Exit Ticket

Complete this handout and turn it in as you're leaving the room.