An Earth's Resources Activity
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An Earth's Resources Activity |
On April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day took place. A renewed interest in the health and well-being of our planet was born. Since then, Earth Day has spread all over the world. People have taken the ideals of that first Earth Day to heart and have made long lasting commitments to helping the environment. In this WebQuest you will examine some of the problems that we still face today and explore solutions to make the Earth a better place tomorrow .
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TOPIC SELECTION
In order to have a variety of topics addressed in class a limit of 4 presentations from each topic area will be assigned. A random drawing will be held to determine the order for selection. Your poster and oral report must be related to your assigned topic area. You may select a topic discussed in class or choose one that you find on your own. LIMIT YOUR TOPIC TO ONE IDEA. (Example: If you choose to do a Poster / Oral Report on an Endangered Species choose one animal or plant. If you choose Recycling as your topic focus on one form of recycling such as the recycling of aluminum.)
Special Note: Many issues are
rarely simple and one sided. Be prepared to
discuss other points of view or priorities on the subject.
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POSSIBLE TOPIC AREAS Fresh Water
Resources / Pollution |
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Research your topic thoroughly. Use the Internet, library or current magazines. You may also wish to contact local agencies or organizations that can provide information on your topic. BECOME AN EXPERT ON YOUR TOPIC! Plan, design and create your poster. Prepare a 4 – 5 minute oral report (Poster Session). Be prepared to answer questions and to elaborate on your topic. Be sure to fulfill all of the requirements listed below. Become familiar with the rubric that will be used to determine your grade.
REQUIREMENTS
You must provide a list of the websites or other resources that you used in your research. (You must attach a separate sheet on the back of your poster with a list your resources.) A minimum of (3) are required. Detail of the information you find must be included.
Click to view or print Research Resources sheet
INDIANA STATE SCIENCE STANDARDS (Grade 8)
Standard 3: The Physical Setting - The Earth and the Processes That Shape It (This activity also links to Standards 8.1.7, 8.1.8, and 8.2.7.)
| 8.3.6 | Understand and explain that the benefits of Earth’s resources, such as fresh water, air, soil, and trees, are finite and can be reduced by using them wastefully or by deliberately or accidentally destroying them. | ||||||
| 8.3.7 | Explain that the atmosphere and the
oceans have a limited capacity to absorb wastes and recycle materials
naturally.
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You may use the Internet or any of the resources available in the library for your research. By using a search engine such as Google, Yahoo or Dogpile you will find an incredible amount of information. Or how about using an Energy Saving search engine such as Blackle! Type in a combination of key words such as Earth Day, Conservation, Ecology, Recycle / Reuse, or other words related to your topic to begin your search.
SEARCH ENGINES:
Click for Google (Also a great source for graphics / pictures)
Click for Yahoo
Click for
Dogpile
Click for Blackle
This project is worth 80 points. Your grade will be based on a special grading rubric. You should thoroughly review the grading rubric before you begin. Be sure you and your partner understand what criteria will be used to determine your grade. Your grade will be recorded on the Earth Day WebQuest Score Sheet.
EARTH DAY ACTIVITY GRADING RUBRIC
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Category |
9-10 points |
7-8 points |
5-6 points |
0-4 points |
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GRAPHICS |
At least 4
graphics / pictures are included.
All relate well to the purpose of the topic and make it easier to understand. |
Three graphics
/ pictures.
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Two graphics /
pictures
Improvement needed in how they relate to the topic and make it more understandable. |
Fewer than two
graphics / pictures.
Graphics do not relate to the topic. Not understandable. |
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ATTRACTIVENESS / CREATIVITY |
Poster is exceptionally attractive in terms of layout, design, neatness. Highly Creative! | The poster is attractive in layout, design, neatness. Good creativity. | The poster needs some improvement to make it acceptably attractive. Somewhat creative. | The poster is messy, poorly designed, not attractive. Not creative. |
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FONT / LANGUAGE MECHANICS |
No grammatical
/ spelling errors.
Font color and size make poster exceptionally easy to read. |
One or two
grammatical or spelling errors.
Font color and size are good. Poster readable. |
There are 3 to
5 grammatical or spelling errors. Font color / size need improvement. Poster difficult to read. |
There are more
than 5 grammatical or spelling errors. Cannot read poster |
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REQUIREMENTS |
All required elements are met. | Most of the required elements are met. | Some of the required elements are met. Many are missing. | Several required elements are missing. |
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CONTENT / ACCURACY / RESEARCH |
Four or more accurate
facts are displayed and discussed in detail. Four or more resources cited. |
Three to four
facts are displayed and discussed.
Three resources cited. |
Two to three
facts are displayed and discussed. More detail needed. Two resources cited |
Fewer than two
facts displayed and discussed. Only one resource cited. |
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KNOWLEDGE GAINED |
Students demonstrate excellent knowledge of the subject. Can accurately answer all questions related to topic. Well prepared. | Students demonstrate good knowledge of the subject. Can answer most questions related to the topic. Good preparation. | Knowledge of subject needs improvement. Can answer some questions related to the topic. More preparation needed. | Knowledge of subject poor. Students cannot answer any question related to the topic. Not prepared. |
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PRESENTATION SKILLS |
Students make excellent eye contact with the audience and have excellent voice quality during report. | Students make good eye contact and can be heard and understood through most of the report. | Improvement needed in eye contact with the audience and voice quality. | Students make poor eye contact and cannot be heard or understood, |
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STATE STANDARDS |
Standards are addressed and exceeded. | Standards are addressed and met. | Standards are addressed but improvement needed. | Standards are not met. |
Click to view or print the Earth Day WebQuest Score Sheet
You are now ready to begin. Be sure to check back to this page often to review the project requirements. Be creative! Work together as a team. Most of all - have fun while completing this WebQuest!
Click to return to Mr. Elliott's Website Technology page.
| Last updated by Paul Elliott on Friday April 02, 2010 |
