by Pam Albrecht, CIT and the Fourth Grade teachers of Rhodes Elementary, Northside ISD in San Antonio, Tx

Introduction

1.1 Define Task. 1.2 Identify information needed.

Dear Marine Biologist:

You have been invited to prepare a presentation for the upcoming National Marine Biologist Convention located in Hawaii. Your presentation may be based around a multimedia presentation, a brochure or a persuasive interactive web page. You are to conduct research on the _____________*. Please brainstorm a list of questions that you think are the most important to your species and present appropriate answers to them.  The most important part of your presentation will be a paragraph that suggests ways that we can stabilize and/or increase the population of the ____________*. Feel free to use appropriate graphics, sounds, music and other effects that will help you present you speech in a persuasive and interesting way. Plan to present your findings on ___________________* (date).
Sincerely,

The National Marine Biologist Association

*Your research assistant (teacher) will supply these.

2.1Brainstorm possible sources (with librarian.) 2.2 Select the best sources

• Biologists will meet with the librarian of the Rhodes Marine Biology Library to brainstorm a list of questions most important to their species.
• They will also brainstorm possible types of resources and begin the search for them

3.1 Locate sources. 3.2 Find Information within sources

• Web Resources

• Print Resources

4.1 Engage in the source. 4.2 Take out needed information

• Students will use the attached graphic organizer to organize their information found within the sources.

5.1 Organize the information from all sources. 5.2 Present the result.

Organize your information into one of the following:

• Multimedia Presentation in Powerpoint
• Brochure in Publisher
• Websitein Publisher
• PhotoStory Project

Procedures:

•  On each you should organize your presentation according to the questions that you researched. (Verbal Linguistic) (ST)
• Make a “rough draft” by making a slide/section of the project for each question. (NT) Don’t forget your final section/slide must include how you plan to stabilize/increase the population for your species.
• Add clipart/photos or drawings to your presentation to make it more visually appealing (Visual/Spatial)
• Add a slide/section at the end to describe how you came to the conclusion of how to stabilize or increase the population of your species (Intrapersonal)

In addition, you may choose to:

• Add music or sounds to enhance your presentation (Music/Rhythmic)
• Use graphs or charts that you have found or made to demonstrate changes in your animal’s population or habitat (Logical/Mathematical)
• Utilize information you learned on a trip to SeaWorld field trip (Naturalist.) See Mrs. Albrecht for how to “cite” this source.
•  Add a slide/section to show changes over time to your ocean animal or habitat (Naturalist)
• Use your own motion paths or even create your own for the entrances of your clip art or photos (Multimedia project only)      (Bodily/Kinesthetic)
• Add a slide/section explaining how changes in ocean habitats and food chains affect the “big picture” of animal survival (Existentialist)
• Don’t forget to look at the grading rubric or self checklist to make sure you meet all the criteria for the grade that you want. (Intrapersonal) You may work with a friend to peer edit.  (Interpersonal) (SF)

Presentation day:

• You will present your findings (in a powerpoint, showing your brochure, describing your website) to your fellow biologists.  They will be evaluating your presentation using a peer evaluation tool.
• You may also choose to do a self evaluation of the research process. (Interpersonal)

6.1 Judge the result. 6.2 Judge the process.

Evaluate the Project:

• Do a self evaluation of your project before submitting.
• Have a peer do a peer evaluation of your project before submitting.
• Submit your project for evaluation with this project rubric.
• Think about the research process. Use this research evaluation to see how you did.