HOT OR NOT?
Global Warming Magazine Article:
Is Global Warming a Serious Threat?
March 3-March 7
GLOBAL Goals of the WARMING Week
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Identify prior knowledge or opinions on the topic of
global warming.
Research both sides of the global warming topic.
Read and comprehend science articles.
Analyze research articles to understand the topic of
global warming.
Distinguish among facts and opinions about global
warming.
Prewrite and outline your stance on global warming.
Cite specific textual evidence to support your stance in
your magazine article.
Integrate a graph or picture to support writing.
Publish a magazine article on your global warming stance.
Goals of the Day: Monday, March 3, 2014
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
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Identify prior knowledge or opinions on the topic of
global warming.
Research both sides of the global warming topic.
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Locate 2-3 articles
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1-2 on your assigned stance (Ex.Yes, global warming is a serious
threat)
1 on your opposing viewpoint (Ex. No, global warming is not a serious
threat)
K-W-L: Is global warming a serious threat?
K
What I Know
Yes
No
W
What I Want To Learn
L
What I Have Learned
Instructions to Finding Research Articles
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Middle School
Go to www.chagrinschools.org and click on
Middle School under the “schools” tab
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Click on Library Media Center in the lefthand column
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Click on Information and Resources
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Click on Science in Context (PASSWORD:
tigers) Website
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Search “Global Warming”
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Click on “Magazines” and “Articles” in the
left- hand column
OR
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Repeat steps 1, 2, and 3 from above
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Click on Infohio Resources 6-8
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Click on Science Online
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Click Advanced Search and Search “Global
Warming”
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Click the box “News Articles”
High School
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Go to www.chagrinschools.org and
click on High School under the
“schools” tab
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Click on Library Media Center in the
left-hand column
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Click on Opposing Viewpoints in
Context in the right- hand column
(PASSWORD: tigers) Website
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Search “Global Warming”
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Select Viewpoints either above the
search box or in the left- hand column
Goals of the Day: Wednesday, March 5, 2014
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Read and comprehend science articles.
Analyze research articles to understand the topic of
global warming.
Is global warming a serious threat?
Goals of the Day: Thursday, March 6, 2014
Friday, March 7, 2014






Distinguish among facts and opinions about global
warming.
Prewrite and outline your stance on global warming.
Cite specific textual evidence to support your stance in
your magazine article.
Cite specific textual evidence to support your stance in
your magazine article.
Integrate a graph or picture to support writing.
Publish a magazine article on your global warming stance.
How to Write a Magazine Article
Outline Template
Purposes of an Introduction
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The introduction gives readers an idea of what the rest of
the writing will say.
The introduction provides a reason for readers to keep
reading.
Layout of an Introduction
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1) Opening statement (1 sentence)
2) Background info and stance (2-3 sentences)
3) Thesis (1 sentence)
Opening Statement
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To hook the reader:
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Pose a specific question that will invite the reader to keep
reading
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Tired, crabby, or unfocused in class?
Choose statistics or interesting facts that you expect will
surprise your reader or that go against the common belief
about a topic
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The food you eat has the potential to determine everything from
how you act to how you feel.
Background
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To give the reader further information that supports the
overall idea
To give factual support of the topic
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The lack of healthy and tasty school lunch selections has
recently become a problem in almost every elementary, middle,
and high school across the nation. Most schools sell junk food
to students, but I think this is a poor choice. Research reveals
the many benefits of removing junk food from school menus to
create a healthier student body.
Thesis
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To inform the readers of the main point of the essay
To identify the main points of each body paragraph in
chronological order
Insert transition to make background sentence and thesis
flow
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Essay Question: Should junk food be removed from school
lunches?
Thesis: Junk foods should be taken out of school lunch menus
because they negatively affect student’s bodies and minds.
Introduction Example
Tired, crabby, or unfocused in class? It could be the food
you are eating. The lack of healthy and tasty school lunch
selections has recently become a problem in almost every
elementary, middle and high school across the nation. Most
schools sell junk food to students, but I think this is a poor
choice. Research reveals the many benefits of removing junk
food from school menus to create a healthier student body.
Junk foods should be taken out of school lunch menus because
they negatively affect student’s minds and bodies.
Body Paragraphs 1 & 2
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Topic: Junk food affects a student’s mind
Layout
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Topic sentence (1 sentence)
First example (1 sentence)
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Second example (1 sentence)
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Explanation (1-2 sentences)
Explanation (1-2 sentences)
Concluding sentence (1 sentence)
Topic Sentence
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Introduces the main idea of the paragraph
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Example: Junk food is a major cause of childhood obesity.
Examples and Explanations
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Choose two strong examples that you can support
regarding the topic
Explanation: how the example proves your point
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1st Example: One 12 ounce can of soda has as much as 13
teaspoons of sugar in the form of high fructose corn syrup
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Explanation: Many of these sodas are available to kids in school at low
prices as well as many other extremely unhealthy foods like chips and
cookies.
2nd Example: School lunches have a very high fat content and
the USDA supplies schools with the same commodity foods as
prisons
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Explanation: Due to the lack of fresh and flavorful food, many students
choose to buy the cheap, unhealthy options instead.
Conclusion Sentence
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Rephrases the main idea of the paragraph and transitions
into the next paragraph
Example: If schools could stock vending machines and
cafeterias with healthier foods, schools could make a dent
in the childhood obesity rate.
Example Body Paragraph 1
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Junk food is a major cause of childhood obesity. One study shows that 32%
of youth are obese and nearly 74% are unfit (Williams et al. 1). The
innutritious food offered in public schools contributes to this unacceptable
problem. A single 12-ounce can of soda has as much as 13 teaspoons of
sugar in the form of high fructose corn syrup (Jetvig 32). Many of these
sodas are available to kids in school at low prices as well as many other
extremely unhealthy foods like chips and cookies. School lunches have a
very high fat content and the USDA supplies schools with the same
commodity foods as prisons (Hay 5). Due to the lack of fresh and flavorful
food, many students choose to buy the cheap, unhealthy options instead. If
schools could stock vending machines and cafeterias with healthier foods,
schools could make a dent in the childhood obesity rate.
Example Body Paragraph 2
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Another reason why cafeterias should start providing healthier food is that
junk food does not provide students with the energy needed to stay
focused nor the power to participate in sports (Hay 5). Lunch is right in
the middle of the day; when a student eats fatty or sugary foods, they often
lack energy and focus in their afternoon classes. In addition, such food
choices deplete energy, which affects physical activity. One cannot perform
optimally without a proper amount of energy (Jetvig 32). For example,
many athletes on a California swim team snacked on chips and soda before
practice. Many complained about fatigue, and as a result, they were not
able to make it through a complete practice. Their coach questioned their
diets and suggested that they consume less fried and fatty foods before
exercising (Williams et al. 1). Students should be eating healthy, natural
foods because these given them necessary energy and are beneficial for
their bodies.
Body Paragraph 3
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Address the opposing argument
Topic: Junk food’s taste
Layout
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Topic sentence (1 sentence)
First example (opposing argument) (1 sentence)
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Second example (your argument) (1 sentence)
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Explanation (1-2 sentences)
Explanation (1-2 sentences)
Concluding sentence (1 sentence)
Topic Sentence
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Introduces the main idea of the paragraph
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Example: While there are several reasons why junk food should
be taken out of school cafeterias, many people argue that
banning junk food in schools is not a good idea.
Examples
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Choose one example supporting the opposing argument
then one example supporting your argument
Explanation: how the example proves your point
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1st Example: Students say that junk food just tastes better than
healthy choices or just prefer eating junk food.
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Explanation: There is no rule that says healthy food cannot taste good!
Many junk foods can be easily replaced by similar tasting, healthier
substitutes (Hay 5). Instead of fried chips, baked chips could be provided.
Instead of soda, carbonated fruit juice could be made available.
2nd Example: If substituting all of the unhealthy foods does not
work, what about reducing the amount we serve?
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Explanation: Have a healthy main portion for lunch and a small dessert;
sweets are not poor choices as long as they are consumed in moderation
(Williams et al. 1).
Conclusion Sentence
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Rephrases the main idea of the paragraph and transitions
into the next paragraph
Example: If schools do not want to eliminate junk food
from their menus, they can at least include tasty, healthy
alternatives and portions.
Purposes of Conclusion Paragraph
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Stresses the importance of the thesis statement
Gives the essay a sense of completeness
Leaves a final impression on the reader
Layout of a Conclusion
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1) Restate the thesis using different words than in
your introduction (1 sentence)
2) Review main points and draw conclusions (2-3
sentences)
3) Concluding sentence: Provide a final significant thought
for the reader (1 sentence)
EXAMPLE
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There are multiple ways to solve the problem of people’s
taste buds craving fatty, unhealthy foods. Students,
teachers, and administrators need to support and enforce
this change knowing students will need to eat healthy
food so they can reach their fullest academic and physical
potential, so now is the time to junk food in schools.