Lesson Plan - The Future Is Electric

Watch a Video: Let’s Talk About Climate Change
Discuss: What are fossil fuels, and how do they affect Earth’s environment?

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know. 

• greenhouse gases
• emissions

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them think about the benefits and drawbacks of electric vehicles (EVs).

1. What effect do gas-powered cars have on the environment?
Gas-powered vehicles release greenhouse gases. These gases trap the sun’s heat in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.
^{R.5 Cause/Effect}

2. How does the author show that EVs are “far from perfect”?
The author notes that EVs are costly and can be hard to charge on long trips. She explains that the electricity that powers these cars can come from power plants that release pollutants and that EV batteries are made of lithium. Mining lithium can harm the soil.
^{R.8 Reasons and Evidence}

3. How are the U.S. and state governments encouraging people to buy EVs?
People who buy EVs can get up to $7,500 from the U.S. government, and the government has pledged money to build charging stations. Seven states have banned the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035.
^{R.2 Key Details}

FEATURED SKILL: Informative Writing
Use the Skill Builder “Time to R.A.C.E.” to have students write a short constructed response to an article-based question. 
^{W.2 Informative Writing}