Courtroom Drama: Extreme Weather
Question: Is human impact on the environment increasing the occurrence of severe weather across the globe?
Choosing sides:
You will be assigned either the affirmative or the negative position related to the above question. You must be
able to defend whichever side you are assigned regardless of your current opinion on the topic.
Circle your assigned position:
AFFIRMATIVE
NEGATIVE
Human impact on the environment is increasing the
occurrence of severe weather across the globe.
Human impact on the environment is not increasing
the occurrence of severe weather across the globe.
Research:
You will work in small groups to research your assigned position. Below are some possible focus questions to
begin your research. You do NOT have to use any of these.
Driving Questions:
● Is there a historic trend in severe weather
getting worse and worse?
● What kind of severe weather is the most
dangerous?
● Why are there more severe weather
patterns?
● What is the cause?
● Is this something we have control over?
● What is the relationship between climate
change and weather?
● What types of weather are getting more
extreme?
● How do these extreme weather patterns
impact communities around the world?
● How can we know that there is a pattern if
we have not been around as long as the Earth
has been here?
● Why should we be concerned about this?
● Will the patterns keep getting worse and
worse?
● Are humans responsible for this?
● What is the solution to this problem?
● How can we measure that the weather is
getting more severe?
● What is the difference between weather and
climate?
Action: Prepare your argument. Write a strong paragraph with at least 3 pieces of evidence to support that
you’re position is accurate. Use the following graphic organizer to aide you in your writing.
Judgment Day: Now that you’ve completed your research and written your argument, we’ll hold our day in
court! You will be assigned roles for the courtroom drama.
Role Assignments→
Judge (1)
Jury (12)
Prosecution (3)
Defense (3)
Expert Witnesses (6)
The order of arguments will go as such:
Affirmative argument
Cross-examine by negative
3 minutes
1 minute
Negative argument
Cross examine by affirmative
3 minutes
1 minute
Rebuttal argument by Affirmative
Rebuttal argument by Negative
1 minute
1 minute
Closing Argument (affirmative)
Closing Argument (negative)
1 minute
1 minute
Rubric:
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