Latin America I-Search: Layered Assessment
Are natural resources a blessing or a curse?
Our study of Modern Latin America will be broken up into what we can call a “layered” curriculum, along with our standard quizzes, tests, and homework. This allows you to see ahead of time what exactly is expected of you to get credit for this unit.
Our study of Modern Latin America will be broken up into what we can call a “layered” curriculum, along with our standard quizzes, tests, and homework. This allows you to see ahead of time what exactly is expected of you to get credit for this unit.
Layer 1: Classwork and Homework Grades
Choose 3 of the following activities. 10 points each. All assignments due by Tuesday, May 24.
Select 2:
Venn Diagram: Create a Venn Diagram which outlines the positive and negative arguments about the natural resource in your country. On the back of the Venn Diagram, write 1 paragraph which answers the question: is the natural more beneficial or harmful to your country?
Map:Create a natural resource map for your country. It must be neat, labeled, and colorful. Include a scale, title, compass rose, and key/legend.
Poster: Create a poster which raises awareness of the issues facing your country. Your poster should be neat, colorful, and eye-catching. It must include visuals such as computer printouts, magazine cut-outs, or illustrations.
Political Cartoon: Answer the question “is the natural more beneficial or harmful to your country?” by creating an original political cartoon. Your political cartoon should have a title, caption, color, and obvious message.
Collage: Use magazines, newspapers, photos, and other resources to create a collage of about how the natural resource impacts life in Latin America. You can chose to identify political, economic, or social impacts through your collage.
Select 1:
Annotated Dictionary: Create a dictionary with 10 key words you found throughout your research. For example, rainforest people should include deforestation, oil should include nonrenewable, and coffee should include Arabica. For each word, write the definition, use it in a complete sentense, and draw a picture.
Pamphlet: Create a pamphlet which educates elementary school students about your issue. Include the specific region of Latin America your topic affects, environmental impacts, the affect on the population, illustrations, and any other key facts.
Skit: Partner with 1 friend who shares your topic. Create a skit which educates elementary school students about your topic. Include mulitiple scenes, stage directions, and any key terms. Also, identify the character names, setting, and any props which would be used. Performing the skit is optional.
Select 2:
Venn Diagram: Create a Venn Diagram which outlines the positive and negative arguments about the natural resource in your country. On the back of the Venn Diagram, write 1 paragraph which answers the question: is the natural more beneficial or harmful to your country?
Map:Create a natural resource map for your country. It must be neat, labeled, and colorful. Include a scale, title, compass rose, and key/legend.
Poster: Create a poster which raises awareness of the issues facing your country. Your poster should be neat, colorful, and eye-catching. It must include visuals such as computer printouts, magazine cut-outs, or illustrations.
Political Cartoon: Answer the question “is the natural more beneficial or harmful to your country?” by creating an original political cartoon. Your political cartoon should have a title, caption, color, and obvious message.
Collage: Use magazines, newspapers, photos, and other resources to create a collage of about how the natural resource impacts life in Latin America. You can chose to identify political, economic, or social impacts through your collage.
Select 1:
Annotated Dictionary: Create a dictionary with 10 key words you found throughout your research. For example, rainforest people should include deforestation, oil should include nonrenewable, and coffee should include Arabica. For each word, write the definition, use it in a complete sentense, and draw a picture.
Pamphlet: Create a pamphlet which educates elementary school students about your issue. Include the specific region of Latin America your topic affects, environmental impacts, the affect on the population, illustrations, and any other key facts.
Skit: Partner with 1 friend who shares your topic. Create a skit which educates elementary school students about your topic. Include mulitiple scenes, stage directions, and any key terms. Also, identify the character names, setting, and any props which would be used. Performing the skit is optional.
Layer 2: Minor Assessment
Oxford Style Debate: The goal of the Oxford Style Debate is to persuade the audience to agree with your point of view. For each of the topics, assigned students will debate whether the natural resource is a blessing or curse for Latin America. (40 points, which includes individual and group score)
Debate Schedule (all sections):
- Wednesday, May 25: Coffee
- Thursday, May 26: Rainforest
- Friday, May 27: Oil
Debate Roles:
Student A: Speaker
Student B: Questionner
Student C: Speaker
Student D: Rebuttalist
Debate Format: Note the time requirements in parenthesis. Speeches that are more than 30 seconds short or long will be docked significant points.
Ms. Feldman: Introduction and preliminary voting by secret ballot
Blessing Student A: Opening Speech, including argument 1 (4 minutes)
Curse Student B: Question Blessing Student A (2 minutes)
Curse Student A: Opening Speech, including argument 1 (4 minutes)
Blessing Student B: Question Curse Student A (2 minutes)
Blessing Student C: Speech, including argument 2 (4 minutes)
Curse Student B: Question Blessing Student C (2 minutes)
Curse Student C: Speech, including argument 2 ( 4 minutes)
Blessing Student B: Question Curse Student C (2 minutes)
5 minute break
Blessing Student D: Rebuttal (4 minutes)
Curse Student D: Rebuttal (4 minutes)
Whole class voting: secret ballot
Winners announced
Layer 3: Major Assessment
Environmental Issue Paper: The objective of the Environmental Issue Paper is analyze current challenges and propose solutions. (50 points)
For example: (1) How does coffee production affect workers' rights? (2) How does offshore oil drilling affect coastal communities? (3) How does deforestation affect native species of the rainforest?
- You will propose your topic to Ms. Feldman.
Paper Format: The paper should be divided into the following sections. Each section should have the corresponding title.
Executive Summary: 5-10 sentence summary of the issue you are researching.
Overview/Background: 2-3 paragraphs of background information, such as the origins of the issue, how it affects the people of Latin America, and how it impacts the environment of the region.
Discussion: 2-3 paragraphs which discuss the different alternatives to addressing the challenge. (For example: how could the country avoid the current problem? What could be done differently)
Recommendation: 1 paragraph which argues the best solution to addressing the current challenge.
Implementation: 1-2 paragraphs which discuss how you would implement the ideas. Identify what specific steps would need to be taken.
*The Environmental Issue Paper is this year's topic for the History Essay Contest. Generous prizes will be awarded, one for each issue area, section, and overall grade level!
For example: (1) How does coffee production affect workers' rights? (2) How does offshore oil drilling affect coastal communities? (3) How does deforestation affect native species of the rainforest?
- You will propose your topic to Ms. Feldman.
Paper Format: The paper should be divided into the following sections. Each section should have the corresponding title.
Executive Summary: 5-10 sentence summary of the issue you are researching.
Overview/Background: 2-3 paragraphs of background information, such as the origins of the issue, how it affects the people of Latin America, and how it impacts the environment of the region.
Discussion: 2-3 paragraphs which discuss the different alternatives to addressing the challenge. (For example: how could the country avoid the current problem? What could be done differently)
Recommendation: 1 paragraph which argues the best solution to addressing the current challenge.
Implementation: 1-2 paragraphs which discuss how you would implement the ideas. Identify what specific steps would need to be taken.
*The Environmental Issue Paper is this year's topic for the History Essay Contest. Generous prizes will be awarded, one for each issue area, section, and overall grade level!
