Common Core State Standard L.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: Video of a current news event is presented for discussion to encourage student participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the video. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.
03/06/2017
Asian Pollution Contributes To U.S. Smog
Smog is up 65 percent in the western U.S., according to a new study. Researchers say it's because of Asian countries' emission levels of nitrogen oxides, which have tripled since 1990. The findings come from pollution data collected in cities and national parks across the western U.S. The Asian-made gases travel across the ocean. They've offset the 50 percent cut in emissions of nitrogen oxides made by the U.S. over the past 25 years.
■Class discussion: How important are international agreements to cleaning up our air and water? Has U.S. air or water pollution ever caused problems for another nation? How do pollution problems in one state impact other states? What causes acid rain and what problems does it cause? How is fertilizer and animal waste linked to “dead zones” in oceans and lakes? Can you find examples of pollution spreading past state and national borders?