Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion
Hot Topics List

















 


 

The fourth grade teachers from Oakview Elementary are in desperate need of your help!  They want to teach their students about the various types of pollution, the causes of pollution and their effects on the environment.  The teachers want their students to make a conscious effort to help the environment.  However, the teachers have realized that there so many types of pollutants they probably couldn't teach anything else all year long if they decide to teach this lesson.  Your job is to research a specific pollutant's causes and effects and develop a Hyper studio presentation that the teachers can show to their students.


 
 

Your task  is to develop an age appropriate, engaging  presentation that will teach them about  the problem and offer a solution.  Your task is to research a specific topic related to air or water quality using several on and off-line sources.  You will focus on the causes and effects of the specific air or water pollutant.  You will also find a working solution. You will be judged  by your effective use of the research cycle.  You will also judged by the effectiveness of your presentation  and the engagement of your audience.



 
 
You will work in research pairs to develop the final product.  We will go to the computer lab for eight half-hour visits.  You must make good use of your time!
 

1. The Research Cycle:  You will be scored on how well you follow the steps below.  See the Research Cycle Rubric for details. After you read the Research Cycle Rubric print out a copy of the Research Cycle Worksheet.  You must answer all questions on the worksheet during the completion of this project..
 

A. THE QUESTIONING STEP:
 
You and your partner will decide what problem needs solving.  What specific pollutant do you feel the fourth grades students need to be educated about?  I have gathered a number of  on-line resources that pertain to air and water quality. The media center also has a geat collection of materals. You may research my Hot Topics List to find a pollutant topic. The Hot Topics List is a list of links to web sites that contain information about air quality, water quality, and pollution. You may also use MCPS on-line databases to find a topic. 
 

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BEFORE YOU GO ANY FURTHER..  MS.REED WITH YOUR GROUP'S PROJECT TOPIC! (This is not set in stone, if you would like to change your topic, just email your new topic.)
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B. THE PLANNING STEP:
 
Decide what will be the best sources to provide information on your topic.  Which sources are the most reliable?  On or off-line? On-line databases?  Internet or printed materials?


C. THE GATHERING STEP:

Time to research and save your information.  You must use Microsoft Word to save the information you gather in your researching.  Copy and paste from the net and/or type information from printed materials.  Remember to cite your sources.  Gather as must information as you can! 
 
  • Use the Media Center. 


D. THE SORTING STEP:

You and your partner will now sort and sift through the data you  have collected  Find the information that best helps you to understand your topic.  Remember who you audience is!


E. THE SYNTHESIZING STEP:

You should now begin to arrange and rearrange your information so that some sort of product/presentation begins to appear.  Note the causes, effects and solution(s) to your pollutant topic.


F. THE EVALUATING STEP:

Is your information complete?  What is missing?  Will you be able to present an age appropriate engaging Hyper studio presentation to a forth grade audience with the information you have found? The presentation must include causes, effects and provide a solution(s).
G.  REPEAT THE PROCESS!!!
 
*Questioning
*Planning
*Gathering
*Sorting
*Synthesizing
*Evaluating
*Reporting


2. Product development. You and your partner will now develop a Hyper studio presentation with the materials you have gathered.  See the Design Rubric for details on product requirements. Your product will be scored according to this rubric.
 

Research Cycle Rubric


Step
1 point
2 points
3 points
 Score
Notes
Questioning Relies on adults to state questions and topic Formulates questions about topics with adult help  focus on causes, effects and possible solution
Discovers independently a pollution which needs a solution after exploring many topics
 _ _
Planning Wanders from source to source without questioning which source will be the most helpful Selects sources with mixed success Selects high quality sources independently and efficiently _ _
Gathering Loses track of the most important information Collects information with some degree or organization Collects and organizes important information for retrieval independently _ _
Sorting Leaves information as gathered Creates partial organization of information Creates structure which provides a coherent and clear focus _ _
Synthesizing Restates the decisions and solutions of others Reorganizes and combines strategies of others Creates an original decision or solution _ _
Evaluating Reaches a hasty conclusion Looks for missing information Tests solutions and decisions to see of supporting information is adequate _ _

 
 
 

Design Rubric


Product Component
1 point
2 points
3 points
Score
Notes
Impact of Presentation The audience glanced at the presentation from time to time. The audience was watching the presentation.
The audience was informed.		 The audience was engaged and moved.
The audience was persuaded to help.		 _ _
Quality of Presentation The presentation wasn't of good craftsmanship.  The presentation was good.  It was thorough. The presentation was organized and well designed.  It was polished and clever. _ _
Valid Content The information was incorrect. The presentation was correct and comprehensible. The presentation was focused and accurate. _ _
Sophisticated Product The product lacked effort. The product was good and provided information to the audience. The product was insightful, rich, fluent, and proficient. _ _



 

Congratulations, you have completed the Pollution Solution Project! You've been a enormous help to the teachers of Oakview Elementary. You are now able to share your knowledge with others in your community.  Your efforts will make an impact on the environment in which you live.  Reflect on this quote from former Vice President Dan Quayle:   "It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it."

 

 

Click here to  Ms. Reed.

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Created by Miranda Reed
Montgomery County Public Schools
Last updated on 6/30/04