Lisa Lloyd

P.S. 98M

3rd Grade ICT

 

 

Introduction:

Albatrosses dying from eating plastic. Dolphins choked by plastic bags. Sea turtles tangled in fishing nets.   The Great Garbage Patch in the northern Pacific Ocean is the result of plastic litter, and it is hurting sea animals.  What can be done to lessen the environmental impact of plastic litter? You will be working with a group to examine the problem of the Great Garbage Patch and determine a public policy that will address it.

 

 

 

Task: 

You will research the causes and effects of The Great Garbage Patch and use the six steps of the Public Policy Analyst to determine what public policy could be implemented to address this problem.  You will create a poster that shows evidence of the problem, includes the six steps of the PPA process and informs people of the public policy that you have chosen to address it.  You will explain your group’s poster in a five minute presentation.

 

 

 

Process/Resources:

You will be divided into groups of five. Research the causes and effects of the Great Garbage Patch using the resources below.

 

What is the Great Garbage Patch? National Geographic

Where is it?  Map of Pacific Garbage Patch

How does it affect sea turtles?  See Turtles

How does it affect albatrosses? Albatross

How does it affect dolphins?  Dolphins

What existing policies contribute to or may alleviate the problem? Paper or Plastic? NYTimes

 

Use the six steps of the PPA to come up with a public policy to address this issue.  Complete all the worksheets with your group.

Step 1 :  What is the social problem?

Step 2:  Where is the evidence?

Step 3:  What are the causes?

Step 4:  What is the existing policy?

Step 5:  What policies can you create to correct the problem? 

Step 6:  What is the best policy to correct the problem?

After you have completed all the worksheets create a poster that explains the problem of The Great Garbage Patch and shows how you arrived at a policy using the PPA to address it.  Be sure to include all six steps and your solution on the poster.  Be prepared to explain your findings in a five minute presentation to the class.

 

 

Evaluation: Presentation

On

Level 4

Level 3

Level 2

Level 1

Understanding of the problem.

Shows clear understanding of the problem.

Shows some understanding of the problem.

Understanding of the problem may contain inaccuracies.

Shows little understanding of the problem.

Solution

The solution is clear and feasible.

The solution is reasonable.

The solution may be unclear.

There is no solution or it is not feasible.

Participation

All group members participate in a meaningful way.

All group members participate in some way.

Most of the group members participate in the presentation.

Some members do not participate in the presentation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evaluation: Poster

 

Level 4

Level 3

Level 2

Level 1

Poster

All steps of the PPA are included. Vivid, engaging images.

Most steps of the PPA included.  Variety of images.

Few of the PPA steps included. One image.

Two or less PPA steps included.  Poor choice of image, or none at all.

 

 

Conclusion

The plastic litter that forms The Great Garbage Patch has serious impact on marine life. After completing the research and following the steps of the Public Policy Analyst you will have deepened your understanding of the problem of plastic waste and how people can effect change when faced with social issues.

 

 

Standards

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.3.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.3.4 Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.1 Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.

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.