Critical Thinking

• 1. SUM IT UP Create a Persuasion Map. List the issues that threaten our planet. Then list evidence that supports the writer’s arguments. Use your map to summarize the selection.

  

  Persuasion Map

• 2. Analyze Think back to the Team Brainstorm you had about ways for your school to go “green.” Was the selection a source for more ideas? Discuss your additions with the team.

• 3. Make Judgments Which issue mentioned in the essay is the biggest threat to our environment? Why do you think so?

• 4. Compare “Handle with Care” and “Going Green” are both about caring for natural resources. How do both suggest that humans are responsible for protecting Earth’s environment?

Reading Fluency

Intonation Read the passage on page 669 to a partner. Assess your fluency.

• 1. I read

  • a. great

  • b. OK

  • c. not very well

• 2. What I did best in my reading was ______.

Reading Strategy

Vocabulary Review

Oral Review Read the paragraph aloud. Add the vocabulary words.

Our garbage ______ the environment. One problem, or ______, is that we dump too much of our ______ into landfills. We can ______ this from happening if we ______. We need to find new ______ for making paper before we cut down too many trees. Humans may be the ______ of the problem, but we can ______ the planet if we work together.

Written Review Imagine you are the planet Earth. Write a speech to persuade people to protect your natural resources. Use five vocabulary words.

Write about the Guiding Question

Explore How We Can Help Earth

What’s one thing that everyone could do to protect our planet? Write your opinion. Reread the selection to find support for your opinion.