Bay Area Urban Growth Boundaries (one-day lesson)

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Overview

In this lesson, students will learn about the arguments for and against urban growth boundaries. They will identify a number of perspectives on the issue and find evidence to support each position. For homework, they will write about their own position on urban growth boundaries.

Learning Goals:

  • Students will learn about urban growth boundaries.
  • Students will understand the multiple perspectives on the issue.
  • Students will read and analyze evidence to support each position.

DAY ONE

Website Materials:

Step 1: 15 minutes: Introduction, read document

a) Explain to students that today’s lesson will be about Urban Growth Boundaries, a plan that some communities have adopted in order to control urban growth.

b) Hand out “Urban Growth Boundaries” and have students read silently and answer questions.

c) Share student answers.

Step 2: 20 minutes: Read document, discussion

a) Hand out “Milpitas Hills” and have students read quietly (or assign roles to 4 different students and have them read out loud).

b) As a whole class, discuss the following questions:

  • What is Maria Lemery’s position on urban growth boundaries? Why? Find evidence from the document to support your answer.
  • What is Karen Serpa’s position on urban growth boundaries? Why? Find evidence from the document to support your answer.
  • What is Tom Koch’s position on urban growth boundaries? Why? Find evidence from the document to support your answer.

Step 3: 15 minutes: Read document

a) Hand out “Controversy” and have students read silently.

b) Then, in pairs, students should find evidence from either or both of the articles in “Controversy” to support the positions of Maria Lemery, Karen Serpa, and Tom Koch. (Note: they might have some difficulty finding evidence from the articles to support Karen Serpa’s position).

Homework

Write 1-2 paragraphs expressing your position on urban growth boundaries. Use evidence from the worksheets to support your position and to critique counter-arguments.

EVALUATION CRITERIA:

In order for this homework assignment to meet standards, a student must fulfill the following criteria:

  • Articulate a clear position supporting or opposing urban growth boundaries.
  • Use evidence from the worksheets (especially "Controversy") to support their argument.
  • Identify and critiques counter-arguments.
  • Write clearly and persuasively.

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