Janet Siegel

School Without Walls

janet.siegel@rcsdk12.org

Introduction:

Deforestation is defined as the destruction of forests due to the removal of trees. According to the World Resources Institute, more than 80% of the world’s forests have already been wiped out. Plants remove CO₂ from the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis. When the same plants are chopped down and burned to hasten their removal from the land, and when large amounts of plant material are allowed to decay, additional CO₂ is added to the atmosphere. CO₂ is a “greenhouse gas”, meaning that it is involved in the trapping of infrared radiation in the atmosphere, which helps to keep our planet warm. Current levels of CO₂ are at 330 ppm, up from 280 ppm prior to the Industrial Revolution. Some estimates predict a rise in CO₂ levels to 700 ppm by the year 2100. Most scientists agree that deforestation, combined with unparalleled dependence on fossil fuels is exacerbating global warming. Cattle ranchers are major contributors to the removal of forests in tropical regions to raise cheap beef for the fast food industry. Are you unknowingly contributing to deforestation and accelerating the pace of climate change when you grab a burger at Micky D’s? What is the REAL price of your quarter pounder?

Task:

You are a representative from an environmental group called TreeHugger’s For Peace preparing to address McDonalds Corporation about their cattle ranching policies in the tropics and the impact these practices have on deforestation and global warming. Your task is to create a PowerPoint presentation using the six steps from the Public Policy Analyst to convince the corporate honchos at McDonald’s to reduce or eliminate this destructive practice and develop more sustainable cattle raising practices with the local ranchers. The six steps you will use to prepare your argument are listed below:

(1) Define the problem

(2) Gather evidence

(3) Identify causes

(4) Evaluate a policy

(5) Develop solutions

(6) Select best solution/policy

Process:

Use the following guidelines for the completion of your PowerPoint.

Guidelines:

v Research the sources listed below to develop your persuasive argument.

v Use the six step public policy analyst (PPA) worksheets (click on the links in the Task section) to organize your PowerPoint. Remember your job is to persuade.

v Your presentation should have a title slide with the name of your organization (Treehuggers for Peace) as well as slides covering a definition of the problem, evidence, causes, existing policies, solutions, a recommendation to resolve the problem, and a conclusion slide. Use the worksheets available in each of the links in the Task section of this web quest.

v Use citations on a slide at the end of your presentation to tell where the information came from.

v After you complete your six worksheets from the PPA, start to pull together your PowerPoint. Remember to include graphics. An attractive presentation will keep your audience focused and interested!

Resources:

Overview of the Problem

www.cifor.cgiar.org/publications/pdf_files/media/Amazon.pdf

http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/troppois/tpimportance.html

http://news.mongabay.com/2006/0406-greenpeace.html

http://www.vsc.org/0902-environment.htm

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2006/apr/06/brazil.food

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/07/no_more_amazon.php

Possible Solutions

http://www.nativehabitat.org/perspective.html

http://news.mongabay.com/2007/0312-beef.html

http://rainforests.mongabay.com/1012.htm

Evaluation:

Persuasive Presentation Rubric

	Expert – 5 points	Intermediate – 3 points	Beginner – 1 point	Self	Teacher
Research	Multiple resources are used. Essential information is found to support the project. Focus questions are answered. Multiple points of view are evaluated.	Multiple resources are used. Relevant information is found. Most focus questions are answered. One other point of view was examined.	Three or fewer resources are used. Some information is not relevant. Focus questions are not researched. Alternate points of view are ignored.
Content	Information supports the purpose and is accurate and current. Content is persuasive and convincing – backed up with facts and reasons. Logical progression of ideas with clear point of view.	Some of the information is not relevant or is out of date. Includes some persuasive information with few facts or reasons. The point of view is a bit unclear.	Information is incomplete, out of date and/or incorrect. Contains little persuasive information and only one or two facts or reasons. Lacks a clear point of view.
Mechanics	Grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization are correct.	Includes 2 -3 errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization.	More than 3 errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.
Cooperative Group Work	Everyone works well together. Roles and responsibilities are divided equally. Positive communication is always present.	Most of the time everyone works well together. Responsibilities are shared, but some do more than others. Communication is usually positive.	Difficulty communicating ideas in a positive way. Some people do all of the work; responsibility is not shared or equally divided.
Presentation	PowerPoint show includes more than 5 slides and more than 3 graphics. Effective use of text, fonts, backgrounds, sound and transitions. Oral presentation is rehearsed and smooth.	Show includes 4-5 slides and 3 or more graphics. Effective use of two of these elements: text, fonts, backgrounds, sound and transitions. Oral presentation is rehearsed.	Presentation includes fewer than 4 slides and 3 graphics. Choices of fonts, background colors, transitions and sounds may be inappropriate. Use of text in presentation distracts the audience. Not rehearsed.
Source Citation	All resources used in research are cited.	Few resources used in research are cited.	No resources used in research are cited.

Conclusion:

After following all steps in this assignment and putting forth your best effort, you will be able to define, research and critically think about an environmental issue that is deeply rooted in American culture and eating behaviors . You will also be able to analyze the effectiveness of international policies and advocate for changes, be able to gather and present information both orally and in written form, and link the ideas of deforestation, climate change, and our Fast Food Nation.

New York State Standards:

Science Standard 4

Students will: understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science.

English Standard 1

Students will read, write, listen, and speak 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 to acquire, interpret, apply, and transmit information.