1. Set Focus
Pose this essential question: What does a society need to succeed?
2. Read and Discuss
Have students read the article, marking key ideas and questions. Then ask them to answer the following questions, citing text evidence:
- What are some of the ways that people who do not have access to electricity light and heat their homes and cook? What are some problems with these solutions? (To create light, some people use candles or burn grass, which can cause house fires. People also use kerosene lamps, which are expensive and inefficient. To heat their homes and cook, some people burn wood, coal, or charcoal. Burning these materials creates smoke and fumes, which can cause heart disease and lung cancer, and even death.)
- How did gaining access to light change Derrick’s life? (Before he had access to light, Derrick was unable to do his homework. He struggled in class and had difficulty reading and writing. After gaining access to light, he was able to do his homework. His grades improved, he became a strong reader, and he now dreams of becoming a teacher.)