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Lesson Plan - Debate: Should We Send Astronauts to Mars?
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Learning Objective
Students will evaluate the reasons and evidence used to support each side of a debate about Mars exploration.
Text Structure
Argument
Content-Area Connections
Space Science; Debate
Standards Correlations
CCSS: RI.3.1, RI.3.2, RI.3.3, RI.3.4, RI.3.5, RI.3.6, RI.3.7, RI.3.8, RI.3.10, L.3.4, SL.3.1
NCSS: Science, Technology, and Society
TEKS: Social Studies 3.8
1. Preparing to Read
Watch a Video: Mission to MarsAsk: What might future astronauts experience on a mission to Mars?
Preview Words to KnowProject the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.
Set a Purpose for ReadingAs students read, have them underline key arguments on both sides.
2. Close-Reading Questions
1. What is the purpose of sending Perseverance to Mars? Scientists are using Perseverance to explore Mars and collect samples of rocks. NASA hopes that one day the first astronauts to visit Mars will bring those samples back to Earth to be studied.(RI.3.1 TEXT EVIDENCE)
2. Why does scientist Jim Rice argue that humans are better explorers than robots are? Jim Rice argues that humans are better and faster explorers than robots because humans can make decisions. Rice says, “Robots depend on humans to tell them what to do.”(RI.3.6 POINT OF VIEW)
3. Based on the “no” argument, what dangers would astronauts face on Mars? Astronauts would be too far from Earth to get food deliveries or to be rescued if something were to go wrong. The astronauts would also have to worry about deadly radiation from the sun.(RI.3.2 KEY DETAILS)
3. Skill Building
FEATURED SKILL: Opinion WritingUse “Ready, Set, Debate!” to have students prepare for a debate on sending astronauts to Mars. This Skill Builder is available as Google Slides or a PDF.(SL.3.1 COLLABORATIVE DISCUSSIONS)
Multilingual Learners Invite students whose native language is Spanish to read the Spanish version of this article alongside the English version.
Striving Readers Have students read or listen to the lower-level version of the debate, underlining or noting the main arguments on each side.
SEL Extension Review rules for respectful classroom debate, like listening actively and not interrupting others. Discuss why these rules are important, then have students form teams and debate this fun topic.