The RAFT technique (Santa 1988) is a writing strategy that helps students understand their "Role" as a writer, the "Audience" they will address, various "Formats" for writing, and the expected "Topic" or content. This article discusses the RAFT writing strategy used by the students to address land development issues. The authors facilitated connection-making and deep, reflective thinking about the interconnectivity of human actions and the environment. Helping students realize that the land development issue can be viewed from different perspectives--and understanding what frames of reference and cultural values influence those perspectives--allows them to view the world with a depth necessary for understanding such interconnected systems as human interaction and the environment. The RAFT strategy has the potential to help students connect prior and new knowledge, to write in a rich context, and to develop literacy skills that will serve them far beyond the classroom. (Contains 4 figures.)