Common Core State Standard L.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: Video of a current news event is presented for discussion to encourage student participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the video. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.
06/20/2016
Philadelphia Just Became The First Major US City To Tax Sugary Drinks
Philadelphia passed a tax on soda and sugary drinks last week, making it the largest city in the country to do so. The measure is pretty sweeping. It not only affects sodas — regular and diet — but "sugar-added" and "artificially sweetened beverages," including energy drinks, tea and juices. Berkeley, California, was the first city to pass a soda tax in 2014. But Philadelphia's measure is expected to have a bigger impact on soda taxes across the country because of the city's size.
■Class discussion: What do you think of a tax on sugary drinks? How much soda or other sugar-filled drinks do you consume? Are there any problems with consuming too much sugar? Do you know anyone who is obese? Do you know anyone who suffers from diabetes? Is the government using taxes unfairly to change people’s behavior? What about taxes on alcohol and tobacco?