Okay, here's what you have to do
to complete this project...
After talking with Mrs. Cullin to determine which natural disaster you will be researching, please follow the steps below to complete this project. A word of advice: Carefully review the scoring guidelines before beginning this project to ensure that you understand all of the requirements!
*****REMEMBER TO CITE YOUR SOURCES FOR STEPS 1-4
ON THE BIBLIOGRAPHY RECORD SHEET!*****
1. Today:
Click on your natural disaster below to watch a couple of informational videos about the basics of your natural disaster. You’ll need to complete a graphic organizer on the 5 W’s while watching all of the videos!
Informational Videos on...
Earthquakes Hurricanes Tornadoes Volcanic Eruptions
2. Days 2-3:
Head to our media center to read the books and encyclopedias that relate to your natural disaster. (Hint: See the cart of books Mr. Blank has made available for you to use for this project.) Use a research guide(for multiple print sources) to organize the important information you find during your research.
3. Day 4:
Go back to the media center’s computer lab and click on the links below to watch a few news videos that describe what happened when your natural disaster occurred in the town specified throughout this project. You’ll need to complete a collaborative listening-viewing guide while watching. (We will complete the ‘synthesize’ section as a large group with everyone who researched the same natural disaster as your group. Mrs. Cullin will set up a rotation to meet with all four groups over the next two days. In the meantime, you may move on to step 4!)
News Videos for...
Earthquakes Hurricanes Tornadoes Volcanic Eruptions
4. Days 5-6:
Still in the media center’s computer lab, click on the links below to research more about your natural disaster and its affect on your specific town. You’ll need to fill out a research guide (for multiple electronic sources) to help you organize the important information you find. BEFORE BEGINNING, please see Mrs. Cullin for approval of the “key words” you will use while searching in the search engines below. (Please note that you may NOT search outside of these websites without Mrs. Cullin’s permission!)
http://www.kidsclick.org/
http://www.awesomelibrary.org/
http://www.noaa.gov/
5. Days 7-8:
Make a poster with information organized into five different sections (Basic Information, Changes to the Land, Changes in Human Activities, Economic Impacts, and Governmental Actions & Responsibilities) explaining your natural disaster and its effects. Regularly refer back to the scoring guidelines as a checklist throughout your completion of this project to ensure that you are on-track!
***Also, when you turn in your poster, you’ll need to include a peer evaluation form for every one of your group members. (This should be completed with confidentially and honesty.)
6. Day 9:
Mrs. Cullin will organize presentation groups. All of the natural disasters will be present within each group. While you’re presenting your poster, keep in mind that the other members of your group didn’t research the same natural disaster as you. Therefore, you are teaching them the information you learned! In order for your “students” to successfully understand the information you are presenting, you’ll need to speak at a normal pace (don’t rush through your presentation!) and stop to answer any questions they may have before you move onto the next subtopic.
***Audience members will need to listen to others present while filling in a pros vs. cons worksheet that compares and contrasts the four different natural disasters. (FYI – When you begin step 7, you’ll find this worksheet very helpful if you complete it thoroughly!)
7. Days 10-12:
Write a 1-2 page persuasive essay explaining which city you’ve decided to build your dream house in and why others should choose that city also. Use information from presentations on all four natural disasters to support your decision. (For example, explain what you think was best about your location and its natural disaster’s effects AND what you think was worse about the other three. Mrs. Cullin will review the specific format you should follow for a persuasive essay on Day 10.) Again, refer to the scoring guidelines for more information about what to include in this essay and how it will be scored.
Important: Please go to the Evaluation page to receive further information about how you will be assessed throughout this unit!
