“Everything is so linear, but this makes me think diagonally!” ~ a student describing Byrdseed.TV

← All Standards

Grade 8

Alabama ELA Standard: 8.CL.8.c

Write an argument to defend a position by introducing and supporting a claim, distinguishing the claim from opposing claims, presenting counterclaims and reasons, and citing accurate, relevant textual evidence from credible sources.

Earth’s Layers: Who Contributes The Most?
Earth’s Layers: Who Contributes The Most?
Earth’s layers will disagree about which one contributes the most to the planet’s success.
Gr 1-8
Holiday Shuffle – Day vs Date
Holiday Shuffle – Day vs Date
Wouldn’t some holidays be better on a certain day of the week? Should Thanksgiving have a set date?
Gr 1-8
Tournament of Mythological Creatures
Tournament of Mythological Creatures
Who will win the tournament of mythological creatures!?
Gr 1-8
Domesticated Animals Tournament
Domesticated Animals Tournament
Which domesticated animal will win the tournament?
Gr 1-8
Types of Energy Tournament
Types of Energy Tournament
Which type of energy will win the tournament!?
Gr 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Natural Disasters Tournament
Natural Disasters Tournament
Earthquake vs. hurricane. Tsunami vs. wildfire. Students set the criteria, argue their case, and crown a champion. Warning: it gets heated.
Gr 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8
Discussing An Important Decision from History
Discussing An Important Decision from History
How would people with two different perspectives discuss a decision from history?
Gr 2-8
Charge of the Light Brigade – Chess Variant
Charge of the Light Brigade – Chess Variant
What if one side played with THREE QUEENS and the other had SEVEN KNIGHTS!? What if?
Gr 2-8
Horde Chess Variant
Horde Chess Variant
What if one player had, say, 32 pawns?
Gr 2-8
Tournament: 8 Wonders of the Solar System
Tournament: 8 Wonders of the Solar System
Which location is the most wondrous place in the solar system?
Gr 1-8
The 8th Wonder of the World Tournament
The 8th Wonder of the World Tournament
Which of these eight wonders deserves to become the Eighth Wonder of the World!?
Gr 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8
Precipitation Tournament
Precipitation Tournament
Eight types of precipitation battle it out in this tournament.
Gr 1-8
Tournament of Presidents
Tournament of Presidents
So who was the strangest of these eight presidents?
Gr 1-8
The Tournament of Biomes
The Tournament of Biomes
Want to move beyond memorizing the characteristics of biomes? In this lesson, students work through a Tournament of Biomes, explaining which biome wins in each round (based on criteria you choose). In the end, they crown a 👑 Champion Biome!
Gr 1-8
Propaganda and Logical Fallacies
Propaganda and Logical Fallacies
Let’s see how propaganda techniques can make even something great seem bad.
Gr 1-8
Teaching Criticism
Teaching Criticism
Ask students to go beyond “I don’t like it” and form critical opinions based on a set of criteria. Students can produce written arguments or turn their opinion into oral presentations.
Gr 1-8