1. Teacher Guide
This lesson is designed to teach kids to ask a critical thinking question that you can’t just put into a search box to solve. To do that, we encourage them with smaller questions that search can help them answer. Make sure that you read the notes for each slide: they not only give you teaching tips but also provide answers and hints so you can help the kids if they are having trouble.
Remember, you can always send feedback to the Bing in the Classroom team at You can learn more about the program at bing.com/classroom and follow the daily lessons on our Partners In Learning site.
Want to extend today’s lesson? Consider using Skype in the Classroom to arrange for your class to chat with another class in today’s location. And if you are using Windows 8, you can also use the Bing apps to learn more about this location and topic; the Travel and News apps in particular make great teaching tools.
Alice Keeler is a mother of 5 and a teacher in Fresno, California. She has her B.A in Mathematics, M.S. in Educational Media Design and Technology and is currently working on a doctorate in Educational Technology with an emphasis in games and simulations. EdTech speaker, blogger, and presenter. Founder of coffeeEDU, a 1 hour conference event for educators. New Media Consortium Horizon report advisory panel member. High school math teacher for 14 years. Currently teaching pre-service teachers curriculum, instruction and technology at California State University Fresno. Teaches online for Fresno Pacific University in the Masters in Educational Technology. Passionate that kids are not failures, researches gamification in education to increase student motivation.
This lesson is designed to teach the Common Core State Standard: English Language Arts
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze how an author uses and refines the meaning of a key term or terms over the course of a text (e.g., how Madison defines faction in Federalist No. 10).

2. Write an argument pertaining to the ecological system of the Loch Benevean.
© BlueGreen Pictures/SuperStock
Having this up as kids come in is a great settle down activity. You can start class by asking them for thoughts about the picture or about ideas on how they could solve the question of the day.

3. Write an argument pertaining to the ecological system of the Loch Benevean.
In English, it’s Loch Benevean. But if you prefer Celtic, and challenging spelling, we’re gazing across the waters of Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin, one of several lakes in Glen Affric, an ecologically diverse National Nature Reserve in the northwestern Scottish Highlands.
With a varied landscape comprised of moors and mountains, many covered with centuries-old Caledonian pines, Glen Affric’s a popular destination for outdoor adventure. In a couple months, many will cast their lines into Loch Benevean, hoping to catch one of the abundant trout that swim its waters.
Depending on time, you can either have students read this silently to themselves, have one of them read out loud, or read it out loud yourself.

4. Write an argument pertaining to the ecological system of the Loch Benevean.1
Web Search
Describe the ecological diversity of the Loch Benevean. 2
What concerns or issues are there pertaining to the Loch Benevean? 3
Identify a phrase used by the author of a credible source on the ecology of Loch Benevean. Analyze the author’s use of the phrase. 4
Critical Thinking
Identify key words utilized by the author. Why did the author use these words and how do they shape the tone of the article? 5
What position do you take on the authors arguments? Craft your own argument in response.
There are a couple of ways to use this slide, depending on how much technology you have in your classroom. You can have students find answers on their own, divide them into teams to have them do all the questions competitively, or have each team find the answer to a different question and then come back together. If you’re doing teams, it is often wise to assign them roles (one person typing, one person who is in charge of sharing back the answer, etc.)

5. Write an argument pertaining to the ecological system of the Loch Benevean.5
Minutes
You can adjust this based on how much time you want to give kids. If a group isn’t able to answer in 5 minutes, you can give them the opportunity to update at the end of class or extend time.

6. Write an argument pertaining to the ecological system of the Loch Benevean.1
Web Search
Describe the ecological diversity of the Loch Benevean. 2
What concerns or issues are there pertaining to the Loch Benevean? 3
Identify a phrase used by the author of a credible source on the ecology of Loch Benevean. Analyze the author’s use of the phrase. 4
Critical Thinking
Identify key words utilized the author, 5
What position do you take on the authors arguments? Craft your own argument in response.
You can ask the students verbally or let one of them come up and insert the answer or show how they got it. This way, you also have a record that you can keep as a class and share with parents, others.

7. Write an argument pertaining to the ecological system of the Loch Benevean.1
Web Search
Describe the ecological diversity of the Loch Benevean.
(Possible Search Queries: Loch Benevean ecosystem, "loch benevean" ecosystem, "loch benevean" species, Loch Beinn a’ Mheadhoin)
Sources
Scotland’s Environment -
Scottish Renewables -
Trees for Life -
Loch Beinn a’ Mheadhoin otherwise known as Loch Benevean has a large biodiversity and many unique plants and animals. Loch Benevean supports a diverse ecosystem involving plants unique to it such as local Pinus trees. Loch Benevean is surrounded by riparian woodlands. The riparian woodlands are filled with diverse species of vegetation. It produces optimal conditions that allow diverse plants and wildlife to thrive. This ecosystem is so effective because it acts as its own filter to protect itself from harmful things.

8. Write an argument pertaining to the ecological system of the Loch Benevean.2
Web Search
What concerns or issues are there pertaining to the Loch Benevean?
(Possible Search Queries: ecology Loch Benevean, Loch Benevean ecosystem - "Loch Ness")
Sources
Forest Research:
Tree Twist:
Research Gate:
One issue pertaining to the ecology surrounding the Loch Benevean is the management of forest and ecosystem. Should the Loch Benevean develop more naturally or with the guidance of forest rangers and scientists to shape the development of the area. Potentially only 1% of the original forest still exists. Beaver habitats in Scotland are needed to be developed.

9. Write an argument pertaining to the ecological system of the Loch Benevean.3
Web Search
Identify a phrase used by the author of a credible source on the ecology of Loch Benevean. Analyze the author’s use of the phrase.
(Possible Search Queries: ecology Loch Benevean)
Student answers will vary. Students should be looking to identify arguments and key phrases used by the author. They are able to utilize this phrase to craft their argument about the ecological system of the Loch Benevean.

10. Write an argument pertaining to the ecological system of the Loch Benevean.4
Critical Thinking
Identify key words utilized by the author. Why did the author use these words and how do they shape the tone of the article?
Student answers will vary. Students should provide critical analysis of the word usage in the article they choose that poses a potential argument about the ecology of the Loch Benevean.

11. Write an argument pertaining to the ecological system of the Loch Benevean.5
Critical Thinking
What position do you take on the authors arguments? Craft your own argument in response.
Answers will vary. Students may take a position on the need for natural growth to occur in the Loch or they may feel that restoring some of the forest requires help.

12. Write an argument pertaining to the ecological system of the Loch Benevean.
This slide is a chance to summarize the information from the previous slides to build your final answer to the question.