Grades 11-12: Mixed Signals: Exploring the Science Behind Nutrition and Disease
Rating: 
Common Core Standards
College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards
Reading
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.1: Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.2: Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.8: Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, including the validity of the reasoning as well as the relevance and sufficiency of the evidence.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.9: Analyze how two or more texts address similar themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches the authors take.
Writing
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.7: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.8: Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, assess the credibility and accuracy of each source, and integrate the information while avoiding plagiarism.
Description of Lesson
This Grades 11-12 ELA/Literacy lesson plan titled “Mixed Signals: Exploring the Science Behind Nutrition and Disease” is from The Learning Network at the New York Times. The lesson plan includes several suggested stand-alone activities, as well as more time-intensive research opportunities for students to pursue on related topics. Through selected source materials, students explore the science behind nutrition and disease. As a culminating assessment activity, students choose a food or food category to investigate. Working in small groups, they conduct research, write scripts, and prepare a visual aid for a news program that they present to the class. Several additional authentic lesson assessments are provided.
Cautions
Connecticut teachers are cautioned that the materials (including the live links) will require familiarity to be used effectively—to determine both the pacing and how to best meet the instructional needs of all students. CCR Anchor Standards for speaking and listening are not listed, although they are addressed repeatedly and could be added. Discrete writing and language skill instruction may be necessary. The addition of an aligned rubric would provide more specific guidance for interpreting student performance. Computers with internet access are required for each student.
Rationale for Selection
This lesson plan is a good example of how to integrate science content with the application of CCR literacy skills: reading text closely, engaging in text-centered discussions, and producing evidence-based writing. Students are routinely expected to draw evidence from a variety of sources to develop a documentary on a related topic. The lesson provides authentic learning, application of literacy skills, student-directed inquiry, analysis, evaluation and reflection. Technology and media are used to deepen learning and draw attention to evidence and texts as appropriate. The lesson plan also provides optional extension activities.