Work and Machines

Writing: Fairness on the Job Site

Duration: Approximately 30 minutes

Use science to help a supervisor decide on the fairest way to pay construction workers for their work. Apply the unit's concepts to writing a persuasive essay about the desirability of paying extra to workers who use a more efficient lever.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Students apply their understanding of levers in an argument.

Students write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.

Students support their claims with logical reasoning; relevant, accurate data; and evidence that demonstrates an understanding of the topic or text, using credible sources.

Students use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among the claim, counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.

Teacher Tips

• The focus word chart linked on the unit overview page should be used as a resource for students. Encourage them to use as many focus words from this and other SciGen units as they can.

Teacher Tune-ups

• How is the word “work” used in the sciences?
• What are the different classes of levers?