Lesson Plan

• Identify and clearly define a global issue and formulate a focused research question.
• Analyse collected data to recognise patterns, causes, effects and stakeholder perspectives.
• Evaluate arguments using criteria of logic, evidence quality, relevance and bias.
• Compare at least two contrasting perspectives and assess their implications.
• Communicate findings in a structured response with citations and a balanced judgement.

• Projector and screen
• Whiteboard and markers
• Student worksheets with research‑cycle diagram
• Sample data sets (e.g., plastic‑pollution statistics)
• Laptops or tablets for online research
• Printed case‑study handout (Plastic Pollution)
• Sticky notes for brainstorming

Begin with a quick poll: How many students have seen single‑use plastic bans in their community? Review the previous lesson on formulating research questions and set today’s success criteria – students will identify a global issue, analyse evidence, evaluate arguments and present balanced perspectives.

1. Do‑Now (5') – Students list recent global issues, share, and select one (plastic pollution).
2. Mini‑lecture (10') – Review the research cycle and steps for analysing issues.
3. Guided activity (15') – In pairs complete a worksheet: identify issue, formulate question, list appropriate sources.
4. Data analysis task (15') – Using the provided data set, identify causes/effects, stakeholder interests, and supporting evidence.
5. Perspective comparison (10') – Groups fill a table comparing economic, environmental, and social perspectives, noting potential biases.
6. Evaluation & presentation (15') – Evaluate arguments with the given criteria and create a brief slide/poster summarising findings.
7. Exit ticket (5') – Write one key insight and one lingering question.

Recap the research cycle and how each step contributed to a balanced analysis of plastic pollution. Students complete an exit ticket summarising their main takeaway. For homework, they locate a recent news article on a global issue, identify the arguments presented, and prepare a one‑page critique using the evaluation criteria.