Name:

________________________________ Due Date: ___________________________________

SCIENCE and English Language Arts (ELA)
(PERSUASIVE PROJECT - ENVIRONMENT)

Standards
NGSS - Science
4-ESS3-1. Obtain and combine information to describe that energy and fuels are derived from natural
resources and their uses affect the environment.
5-ESS3-1. Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to
protect the Earths resources and environment.

Reading Standards for Informational Text (Key Ideas and Details):
4.3 Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including
what happened and why, based on specific information in the text
5.3 Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, or ideas, or
concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text based on specific information in the text.
(Craft and Structure)
4.5 Describe the overall structure of events, ideas, concepts, or information in a text or part of a text.
5.5 Compare and contrast the overall structure of events, ideas, concepts, or information in two or
more texts.
(Integration of Knowledge and Ideas):
4.7 Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g. in charts, graphs, diagrams,
time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information
contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears
5.7 Draw on information from multiple print or digital sources, demonstrating the ability to locate an
answer to a question quickly or to solve a problem efficiently.

Writing Standards
4.1 Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.
a. Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in
which related ideas are grouped to support the writers purpose.
b. Provide reasons that are supported by facts and details.
c. Link opinion and reasons using words and phrases
d. Provide a concluding statement or section related to the opinion presented.
5.1 Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.
a. Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in
which ideas are logically grouped to support the writers purpose.
b. Provide logically ordered reasons that are supported by facts and details.
c. Link opinion and reasons using words, phrases, and clauses (e.g., consequently, specifically).
d. Provide a concluding statement or section related to the opinion presented.

Speaking and Listening Standards: (Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas)
4.4 Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience in an organized manner, using
appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly at an
understandable pace.
4.5 Add audio recordings and visual displays to presentations when appropriate to enhance the
development of main ideas or themes.
5.4 Report on a topic or present an opinion, sequencing ideas logically and using appropriate facts and
relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly at an understandable pace.
5.5 Include multimedia components and visual displays in presentations when appropriate to enhance
the development of main ideas or themes.

Assignment
1. Research and write a five paragraph persuasive essay. You will choose an environmental
topic (examples: GMO use, pollution, organic foods versus non-organic foods, mass
transportation, global warming, etc.) and research the topic. After researching the topic, you
will write a five paragraph (at least 5 paragraph can be longer) persuasive essay with the
classroom as your audience.

2. Cite informational sources at the end of the persuasive essay. You will cite the sources you
used to find the information: textbook, Internet website, or additional books.

4th graders: Will use at least ONE source and list the source at the end of the paper
5th graders: Will use TWO or MORE sources and list these sources at the end of the paper.

SUGGESTION: Use http://www.kidrex.org/ as a child-friendly search engine.

3. Presentation to classmates. You will create your own presentation and then present to
classmates. BE CREATIVE!! Some ideas include:
PowerPoint presentation
Prezi presentation
Create a short infomercial, persuading the audience to see the topic your way. You
can do this live in class or record at home and bring in video recording.
Newscaster you are a newscaster, broadcasting the news about your environmental
topic. You can do this live in class or record at home and bring in video recording.
Poster
Other idea? If you have a different idea, talk with Ms. Concotelli and lets talk about
it!




RUBRIC
READING
SCIENCE INFORMATIONAL TEXT SPEAKING SCORE
WRITING
Exceptionally clear States clear, persuasive statements and Organized and well
organization of scientific, follows the persuasive style essay thought-out with smooth
environmental facts format. transitions

Essays supportive details include, Speaks clearly and loudly
relevant examples from one source (4th with good eye contact
6 grade) or multiple sources (5th grade)
Easy to follow and
Source citation is included in each understand
persuasive essay

Evidences inference skills

Good organization of States persuasive statements but does Organized
scientific, environmental not entirely follow the persuasive essay
facts; environmental facts format Some eye contact
are partially evident
Essays supportive details include Speaks clearly
partially relevant examples from one
source (4th grade) or multiple sources Mostly easy to follow and
4 (5th grade) understand

Partial source citation is included in
each persuasive essay

Evidences partial inference skills

Little organization of Does not state persuasive statements, Not organized
scientific, environmental does not follow the persuasive style
facts essay format Difficult to follow and
understand
Essay is written with no clear examples
to support the point
2
Citation is not included in each
persuasive essay

Does not evidence inference skills

Subtract one point for each
day project is late

-1

Hannah Lee / Marci Concotelli 2017-2018 Year

TOTAL SCORE: ________________________