Current Events-Process

Created By:
Jeffrey Scott Bell, 1999^©

Process There are 7 steps for you to follow. Before you begin each new activity, go to Evaluation. There you will find exactly what you will be graded on.

Step 1 Work with the group	ï Your teacher has assigned you to your cooperative group of 5 or less participants ï You will share one or more computers through out the project. ï You will be responsible for helping one another in your learning. ï Go to the cooperative group role cards and print this. ï Coach - Check to be sure that everyone agrees on the instructions, asking for help if there is a disagreement. See that all members have an equal chance to participate and donít waste time. ïSurfer - This student will be the only student to use the computer and will listen to the other members (Explorer ) ideas on what to do. ïExplorer - This student will gather ideas from group and pass information on to the (Surfer ). ïEncourager - Give lots of praise and encouragement to members as your group works. ïReader - Read information from resources aloud to the group. Check to see that everyone is listening. Cooperative Group Role Cards ï Print a copy of the evaluation sheet to determine the score you will receive for each section. Evaluation Rubric
Step 2 Organizing your thoughts	ïAs a group you will now answer the following questions. ïPrint one Question Guide per student. ïWhat is an informed citizen? ïWhat is a current event? ïWhy is it important to know current events? Answer the next two questions when you complete your summary ïWhat makes current event a current event important? ïHow could this current event effect you? Question Guide
Step 3 Webquest	You and your group are going to use Internet resources to find out why the beach might be closed. ï Print a resource guide. ï Visit all of the sites provided. Search for interesting facts, tips, and pieces of information that support what you included on your cluster map. ï Record at least 3 important pieces of information from each site. ï Your group will be: Researchers and Recorders. Take notes on your own worksheets. Resource Guide
Step 4 Create a venn diagram	ï Compare your findings with the other members of your group. Add any ideas you like to your notes and question guides. ï Now create a venn diagram. ï Show at least 10 relationships between the two articles. ï Use specific facts that compare and contrast the two articals that you read. ï Your venn diagram should show what you learned. ï Make sure your venn diagram is organized on one page. ï It should look good and be easy to understand. ï Go to the Evaluation Rubric. Look at "Venn Diagram." Make sure you followed all of the directions. 2 Article Venn Diagram 3 Article Venn Diagram
Step 5 Create a summary	ï You will now create a summary of the two (or more) articals that you compared in the venn diagram. ï Use a seperate piece of lined paper to create your rough draft of your summary. ï You may also use any of the information that you may have gathered from any other site. ï Identify the major topic in the current event summary? ï Identify a clear main idea? ï Try to exclude "very" minor details? ï Combine similar ideas? ï The artical should include only facts. Be sure to NOT include your opinions? ï Include the five W's? (Who, What Where,When, & Why or How? ï Before you start your final draft have a partner read your rough draft. ï Your partner should complete All sections of the Evaluation Rubric. ï Use a word processor to complete the final draft of your
Step 6 Work with the group	Use the evaluation form. ï Use the rubric to evaluate each part of your project. ï Include the evaluation form (one per person) include in and include this in your folder.
Step 7 Work with the group	Organize your papers inside of your folder in this order: Question Guide, Resource Guide, Venn Diagram, and Evaluation Form. Once every team in your class has finished Steps 1-6, you will share your work. You will: 1.Discuss your ideas (from your evaluation form). 2.Present your summary to the class. 3.Be a good listener while others are presenting. As a class, choose three posters which demonstrate the most outstanding work in the class. The top poster will be posted on the Internet. The other two will become part of a school showcase. Turn in your folder to your teacher.