TITLE

CORAL REEFS RESTORATION

Social Problem: Local Economy

By: Mr. R. Plecerda

Inwood Intermediate School 52

650 Academy Street, New York, NY 10034

INTRODUCTION

Are you overwhelmed by all the negative changes happening to our environment? Damaging our coral reefs is one of those global issues that seem to be on the forefront of everyone’s mind. Our coral reefs are continuously destroyed by so many factors such as bleaching, natural catastrophe and oil spills as stated by “The State of Coral Reefs Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely Associated States: 2008.

Scientists expect that, in the presence of effective policies to stop destroying our coral reefs will increase food production, employment and restore the marine life habitat – THE CORAL REEFS. This web quest will help students understand the value of our marine habitat. As they complete their tasks they will be able to correctly and scientifically respond to the following guiding questions: What are marine life habitats? What is a coral reef? How do humans damage our coral reefs? Why protect coral reefs? What are the existing policies protecting our coral reefs?

TASK:

Your task will be to develop a Power Point presentation on Coral Reefs Restoration using the PPA approach to social problem solving. Your group will be assigned to explore existing policy on protecting, restoring and conserving our coral reefs nationally and internationally. You will also look at specific policy or measures our country take to protect, conserve, and restore our marine life specifically our coral reefs. You will present your findings to classmates, your teacher, principal, and community members. After the presentation, you will write a persuasive essay on protecting and restoring our coral reefs. Good luck!

PROCESS/RESOURCES

Step 1: Read an article about coral reefs - Its Importance and how do

human activities destroy them.

Article: http://www.coralreef.gov/about/CRTFAxnPlan9.pdf

Step 2: Watch a video

http://oceantoday.noaa.gov/coralrestoration/

Step 3: Scaffolding and Discussion

Step 4: Create a Power Point Presentation using the six step of PPA

(http://www2.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/welcome.html)

and address the topic of Coral Reefs Restoration

Define and describe the problem

Gather evidence

Identify theories behind the causes

Evaluate the existing policies

Develop solutions

Select the best solution

Step 5: Give a dynamic presentation to the class or to the whole

school.

Step 6: Write a persuasive essay discussing how we can help

effectively protecting and restoring our coral reefs.

EVALUATION:

Rubric 1: PowerPoint Presentation

PowerPoint Rubric

ELEMENT	Exemplary (3 points)	Proficient (2 points)	Partially Proficient (1 point)	POINTS
Introduction	The introduction presents the overall topic and draws the audience into the presentation with compelling questions or by relating to the audience's interests.	The introduction is clear and coherent and relates to the topic.	The introduction shows some structure but does not create a strong sense of what is to follow.	___/3
Content	The content is written clearly and concisely with a logical progression of ideas and supporting information. The project includes motivating questions and advanced organizers. The project gives the audience a clear sense of the main idea. Information is accurate, current and comes mainly from * primary sources.	The content is written with a logical progression of ideas and supporting information. Includes persuasive information from reliable sources.	The content is vague in conveying a point of view and does not create a strong sense of purpose. Includes some persuasive information with few facts. Some of the information may not seem to fit. Sources used appear unreliable.	___/3
Text	The fonts are easy-to-read and point size varies appropriately for headings and text. Use of italics, bold, and indentations enhances readability. Text is appropriate in length for the target audience and to the point. The background and colors enhance the readability of text.	Sometimes the fonts are easy-to-read, but in a few places the use of fonts, italics, bold, long paragraphs, color or busy background detracts and does not enhance readability.	Overall readability is difficult with lengthy paragraphs, too many different fonts, dark or busy background, overuse of bold or lack of appropriate indentations of text.	___/3
Layout	The layout is visually pleasing and contributes to the overall message with appropriate use of headings, subheadings and white space.	The layout uses horizontal and vertical white space appropriately.	The layout shows some structure, but appears cluttered and busy or distracting with large gaps of white space or uses a distracting background.	___/3
Citations	Sources of information are properly cited and the audience can determine the credibility and authority of the information presented. All sources of information are clearly identified and credited using appropriate citation format.	Most sources of information use proper citation format, and sources are documented to make it possible to check on the accuracy of information.	Sometimes copyright guidelines are followed and some information, photos and graphics do not include proper citation format.	___/3
Graphics, Sound and/or Animation	The graphics, sound and/or animation assist in presenting an overall theme and enhance understanding of concept, ideas and relationships. Original images are created using proper size and resolution, and all images enhance the content. There is a consistent visual theme.	The graphics, sound/and or animation visually depict material and assist the audience in understanding the flow of information or content. Original images are used. Images are proper size, resolution.	Some of the graphics, sounds, and/or animations seem unrelated to the topic/theme and do not enhance the overall concepts. Most images are clip art or recycled from the internet. Images are too large/small in size. Images are poorly cropped or the color/resolution is fuzzy.	___/3
Writing Mechanics	The text is written with no errors in grammar, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.	The text is clearly written with little or no editing required for grammar, punctuation, and spelling.	Spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors distract or impair readability.	___/3

Rubric 2: Persuasive Essay

CONCLUSION:

How does it feel to be an environmentalist? A policy maker? Do you feel like you can make a difference when tackling big problems like protecting our coral reefs? How can you apply this process to other social problems in our community? Organize a group of your friends and use the same process to solve a social problem that interests you

STANDARDS

Common Core State Standards Reading:

1. Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of

what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from

the text.

2. Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed

through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct

from personal opinions or judgments.

3. Analyze in detail how a key individual, event, or idea is

introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in a text (e.g., through

examples or anecdotes).

Common Core State Standards Writing:

1. Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and

relevant evidence.

a. Introduce claim(s), acknowledge alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.

b. Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.

c. Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), reasons, and evidence.

d. Establish and maintain a formal style.

e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.