A PROJECT CRITICAL WEB QUEST

 

THE AMAZON AT RISK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Presented by:  Ms. N. Cruz

A. PHILIP RANDOLPH HIGH SCHOOL

New York City, NY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION  

 

 

Between May 2000 and August 2005, Brazil lost more than 132,000 square kilometers of forest—an area larger than Greece—and since 1970, over 600,000 square kilometers (232,000 square miles) of Amazon rainforest have been destroyed. Why is Brazil losing so much forest? What can be done to slow deforestation? That is a question we must answer. We are losing Earth's greatest biological treasures just as we are beginning to appreciate their true value. Rainforests once covered 14% of the earth's land surface; now they cover a mere 6% and experts estimate that the last remaining rainforests could be consumed in less than 40 years. Nearly half of the world's species of plants, animals and microorganisms will be destroyed or severely threatened over the next quarter century. Many scientists believe that eh survival of the planet is directly related to preservation of the Amazon rainforest.

 

The social problem is clear. The destruction of the rainforest will create a life threatening situation for billions of people. Destruction of the Ozone layer, global warming, increase in atmospheric Carbon Dioxide, loss of oxygen and the extinction of major animal species are only some results of this social problem.

 

NOW-you can help! In this web quest you will become a PUBLIC POLICY ANALYST! You, and your group of advisers, will annals the social problem of Amazon destruction and devise public policy alternatives to combat the problem. You will submit your public policy facts and recommendations to the United Nations who will then implement the policies. Hopefully, you will make a difference!

 

 

TASK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1: You will be divided into groups of FIVE. Each member of the group will have a specific task.

 

2: You will use the “Public Policy Analyst” format

 

3: Each group will complete a story board. This board will have three sides similar to the format of a science project.

 

4: The board will contain illustrations, pictures, graphs, charts and reports representing each of the SIX steps of the

       Public Policy Analyst.

 

5: All reports will be completed using MS word and be clearly written in 14 fonts.

 

6: The PPA board must be attractive and capture the attention of the viewer.

 

ORAL PRESETNATION

 

Each group will give an oral presentation to the class regarding their findings. The story board will be used in this presentation. The presentation will be a minimum of 10 minutes and must capture the attention of the audience.

 

 

PROCESS
   

 

 

I: The class will be divided into groups of FIVE

Each member of the group must fulfill his given responsibilities. The group will decide the roles for each member using the outline below. Each group member will be responsible for the individual assignments but there will be a group grade for the story board and oral report

2: Individual responsibilities for group members

Student # 1: Recorder & Writer-This student will take notes on information gathered by group members and write an outline for the power point slides. These notes will also be used by each member to complete the story boards and oral report. This student will be responsible for completing the Public Policy Analyst Worksheets.

Student # 2: Researcher-This student will do the research, with help of other members. He/she will search the Internet and gather information that will be used to complete the worksheets. The information gathered will be focused on destruction of the South American rainforest and its affects on the future of the planet.

Student # 3: Time keeper of organizer-Will keep the group on track. He/she will assist in the research, lead & coordinate group meetings and be aware of teacher made deadlines and schedules

Student # 4: Presenter- This student will be responsible to convey the group findings to the class. He/she will be the main speaker in the Oral Presentation and will assign others their subordinate roles for the oral presentation. The Power point should be used as part of this presentation. The presenter will coordinate the oral report but all members will take part in some form.

STUDENT # 5: This student will be responsible for construction of the project story board. He/she will get input from all group members.

NOTTE:  Each group member should do individual research whenever possible. As a group, you will complete the worksheets (steps) in the Public Policy Analyst.

 

II: The SIX-STEP PUBLIC POLICY ANALYST

Each group will complete

Six Public Policy Analyst worksheets for the social problem

    

#1- Defining the Social Problem

           What is the problem that you plan on addressing?

          #2- Gather evidence of the problem

                    How do we know that this is a problem?

          #3- Identify the causes of the problem

                 What causes this problem that you plan on addressing?

          #4- Identify and evaluate the existing public policies

                 What policies already exist on your problem?

          #5- Developing public policy solutions

                What new public policy do you want to create?

          #6- Selecting the best policy solution

                    Decide with your group the best policy to use for the problem.

 

Your group will use these worksheets as resource for completing the task assignments

 

III: Each group will use the internet sites listed in the “resource” section of the web quest for information

          That will complete the PPA worksheets. You will also access outside print material where needed.

 

RESOURCES       

 

GENERAL Web Sites

WWW.GOOGLE.COM

WWW.YAHOO.COM

WWW.ASK.COM

 

SPECIFIC WEB SITES

RAINFOREST RESCUE

Amazon Destruction

Government policy

Evidence of destruction

Key facts

Rainforest illustrations

Devastation

A case study

A History

 

 EVALUATION    

 

Oral Presentation Rubric:

AMAZON RAINFOREST

 

 

CATEGORY

4 EXCELLENT

3 VERY GOOD

2 SATISFACTORY

1 UNSATISFACTORY

Enthusiasm

Facial expressions and body language generate a strong interest and enthusiasm about the topic in others.

Facial expressions and body language sometimes generate a strong interest and enthusiasm about the topic in others.

Facial expressions and body language are used to try to generate enthusiasm, but seem somewhat faked.

Very little use of facial expressions or body language. Did not generate much interest in topic being presented.

Preparedness

Student is completely prepared and has obviously rehearsed.

Student seems pretty prepared but might have needed a couple more rehearsals.

The student is somewhat prepared, but it is clear that rehearsal was lacking.

Student does not seem at all prepared to present.

Speaks Clearly

Speaks clearly and distinctly all (100-95%) the time, and mispronounces no words.

Speaks clearly and distinctly all (100-95%) the time, but mispronounces one word.

Speaks clearly and distinctly most of the time. Mispronounces no more than one word.

Often mumbles or can not be understood OR mispronounces more than one word.

Props

Student uses several props (could include costume) that show considerable work/creativity and which make the presentation better.

Student uses 1 prop that shows considerable work/creativity and which make the presentation better.

Student uses 1 prop which makes the presentation better.

The student uses no props OR the props chosen detract from the presentation.

Stays on Topic

Stays on topic all (100%) of the time.

Stays on topic most (99-90%) of the time.

Stays on topic some (89%-75%) of the time.

It was hard to tell what the topic was.

Content

Shows a full understanding of the topic.

Shows a good understanding of the topic.

Shows a good understanding of parts of the topic.

Does not seem to understand the topic very well.

 

GRADING: “A” = 21-24 POINTS  “B”= 16-20 POINTS  “C”= 11-15 POINTS

“F”=BELOW 11 POINTS

 

 

AMAZON RAINFOREST


Teacher Name: Ms. CRUZ

 

STORY BOARD RUBRICS

 

CATEGORY

4 EXCELLENT

3 VERY GOOD

2 SATISFACTORY

1 NEEDS IMPROVEMENT

Graphics -Clarity

Graphics are all in focus and the content easily viewed and identified from 6 ft. away.

Most graphics are in focus and the content easily viewed and identified from 6 ft. away.

Most graphics are in focus and the content is easily viewed and identified from 4 ft. away.

Many graphics are not clear or are too small.

Graphics - Originality

Several of the graphics used on the poster reflect a exceptional degree of student creativity in their creation and/or display.

One or two of the graphics used on the poster reflect student creativity in their creation and/or display.

The graphics are made by the student, but are based on the designs or ideas of others.

No graphics made by the student are included.

Graphics - Relevance

All graphics are related to the topic and make it easier to understand. All borrowed graphics have a source citation.

All graphics are related to the topic and most make it easier to understand. All borrowed graphics have a source citation.

All graphics relate to the topic. Most borrowed graphics have a source citation.

Graphics do not relate to the topic OR several borrowed graphics do not have a source citation.

PPA USE

The poster includes all required elements as well as additional information.

All required elements are included on the poster.

All but 1 of the required elements are included on the poster.

Several required elements were missing.

Knowledge Gained

Student can accurately answer all questions related to facts in the poster and processes used to create the poster.

Student can accurately answer most questions related to facts in the poster and processes used to create the poster.

Student can accurately answer about 75% of questions related to facts in the poster and processes used to create the poster.

Student appears to have insufficient knowledge about the facts or processes used in the poster.

Content - Accuracy

At least 7 accurate facts are displayed on the poster.

5-6 accurate facts are displayed on the poster.

3-4 accurate facts are displayed on the poster.

Less than 3 accurate facts are displayed on the poster.

Attractiveness

The poster is exceptionally attractive in terms of design, layout, and neatness.

The poster is attractive in terms of design, layout and neatness.

The poster is acceptably attractive though it may be a bit messy.

The poster is distractingly messy or very poorly designed. It is not attractive.

 

GRADING: “A” = 24-28 POINTS  “B”= 20-24 POINTS  “C”= 16-19 POINTS

“F”=BELOW 16 POINTS

 

CONCLUSION           

From this web quest, you should have learned to that the destruction of the Amazon Rainforest, with all its natural resources, is a major social problem. This problem must be dealt with immediately or our planet and life as we know it may be at risk. You now also understand the role of the Public Policy Analyst in our society. This policy maker can make a difference in improving conditions and solving major social problems. The next decade will be pivotal. If the problems of the Amazon are not addressed, all life will be severely limited. We must preserve our natural resources and find ways to better allocate them.  Thanks for your participation. Let’s hope your recommendations made a difference!

 

STANDARDS ADDESSED

 

English Language Arts

Standard 1:   Language for Information and Understanding

Students will listen, speak, read, and write for information and understanding. As listeners and readers, students will collect data, facts, and ideas; discover relationships, concepts, and generalizations; and use knowledge generated from oral, written, and electronically produced texts. As speakers and writers, they will use oral and written language that follows the accepted conventions of the English language to acquire, interpret, apply, and transmit information.

Standard 2:   Language for Literary Response and Expression

Students will read and listen to oral, written, and electronically produced texts and performances from American and world literature; relate texts and performances to their own lives; and develop an understanding of the diverse social, historical, and cultural dimensions the texts and performances represent. As speakers and writers, students will use oral and written language that follows the accepted conventions of the English language for self-expression and artistic creation.

Standard 3:   Language for Critical Analysis and Evaluation

Students will listen, speak, read, and write for critical analysis and evaluation. As listeners and readers, students will analyze experiences, ideas, information, and issues presented by others using a variety of established criteria. As speakers and writers, they will use oral and written language that follows the accepted conventions of the English language to present, from a variety of perspectives, their opinions and judgments on experiences, ideas, information and issues.

Standard 4:   Language for Social Interaction

Students will listen, speak, read, and write for social interaction. Students will use oral and written language that follows the accepted conventions of the English language for effective social communication with a wide variety of people. As readers and listeners, they will use the social communications of others to enrich their understanding of people and their views.

 

Science

Standard 1:    Analysis, Inquiry, and Design

Students will use mathematical analysis, scientific inquiry, and engineering design, as appropriate, to pose questions, seek answers, and develop solutions.

Standard 2:   Information Systems

Students will access, generate, process, and transfer information using appropriate technologies.