Big Ideas | Page 83

Common Core State Standards–English Language Arts STRAND SAMPLE STUDENT ENGAGEMENT, GRADES 9–12 Reading Scientific and Read a report about California’s wastewater, such as the Layperson’s Guide to California Wastewater by the Water Education Foundation, available at www.watereducation.org/publication/ laypersons-guide-calif ornia-wastewater. Check the sources of information it cites, and judge whether its conclusions are valid. Technical Subjects RST.11-12.8. Evaluate the hypotheses, data, analysis, and conclusions in a science or technical text, verifying the data when possible and corroborating or challenging conclusions with other sources of information. STRAND SAMPLE STUDENT ENGAGEMENT, GRADES 9–12 Writing History/Social Investigate two reservoirs proposed by the California Department of Water—the Sites Reservoir on the Sacramento River and the Temperance Flat Reservoir on the San Joaquin River—identifying the possible environmental and other consequences if they are built. For each, read the environmental impact statements, which are documents required by the California Environmental Quality Act, as well as reports by both proponents and opponents of the projects. Consider the people that would be affected by the dam. Are there any groups that would be unjustly affected? Write a recommendation for whether one or both should be built. Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects WHST.9-12.7. Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation. BIG IDEAS | Grades 9–12 | SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION 83