Thursday, December 4, 2008

Landform Extra Credit :

Due Date: Wed., Dec. 17th
Landform Project

Directions: Each individual/team will be responsible for making five 5 different 3-D landform models. Materials should be varied (clay, mud, rock, etc...). All models should be able to fit together into a box lid. All work must be typed or neatly printed. All students are expected to be active, contributing team members.

Rating Scale: The number in ( ) is the maximum number of extra credit points possible.
Landform Project (Group/Individual Performance)

1. Is based on scientific principles and good science. (5) _____
2. Met all the criteria on the check-list. (3) _____
3. Uses materials appropriately, carefully, and creatively. (3) _____
4. Landforms are realistic looking (no pink mountains). (2) _____
5. Is completed on time. (1) _____
Individual Oral Presentation
6. Stayed on topic during presentation. (6) _____
7. Shows knowledge of the landform that they are presenting. (5) _____
8. Displayed cooperative spirit, treated teammates with respect. (5) _____

Total Points Grading Rubric

26 - 30
Excellent work throughout, exceeding all requirements. Project clearly demonstrates understanding of scientific principles; shows extra effort and originality. Student is enthusiastic team player; shows leadership and respect for others; facilitates group interaction; contributes fair share of workload.

21- 25
Project meets or exceeds minimum requirements; accurately represents scientific principles; may show extra effort or creativity. Student is cooperative team member; contributes fair share of workload.

16 - 20
Project meets minimum requirements with few errors, but shows no special effort or creativity. Student is generally cooperative team member; contributes fair share of workload.

11 - 15
Work unacceptable; does not achieve minimum standards, contains significant errors, and/or is incomplete. Student is sometimes uncooperative; contributes less than fair share of workload; does not use time wisely.

0 - 10
Project not submitted or shows no honest effort to meet requirements. Student is disruptive or uncooperative.

Check-List for Landforms Project:
o Who: You or up to 3 teammates for this project with whom you have not worked with before. Discuss the various landforms together. Who will do what, how will the work be divided?
o Making Decisions: Choose the landforms that you will be responsible for creating.
o Materials: Discuss what materials you/ your group will use.
o Pictures: Find several pictures of your landforms and bring into class, when presenting project.
o Landform Work: Design and create landforms.
o Written Work: Type or print a one-paragraph description of each landform.
-You may write NEATLY on an index card.
o Team Work: Communicate well with teammates. Are you doing your fair share? YOU CAN NOT CHANGE OR REORGANIZE YOUR GROUPS!!!!!
o Presentation: Practice presentation strategies with teammates. Make us want to learn more about your landform models! As a team ready to present your work before your classmates

Extra Resources
Types of Landforms
*Mountains *Volcanoes * Sea * Desert * Plain *Lake /River * Island * Valley/ Canyon *Plateau * Butte

Materials Suggested: • Flour *Salt * Paint * Paint brushes *Tooth picks *Sand *RocksPaint.

Buy the correct color paint or use food coloring in the dough.

• Blue, for rivers and sea

• Brown, for top of mountains

• Green, for land

• White, if you want snow capped mountains

• Red for lava. Also use red seed beads or red glitter glue.

• Salt Dough Recipe
2 cups white flour

1 cup salt

1 cup boiling water

3 teaspoons of vegetable oil

Mix flour and salt Add boiling water and oil. Stir with a spoon. Knead when it is cool. Store unused dough in a sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator, when not in use. Let it warm to room temperature before using it. Take only what you need and leave it in a sealed container when you are making your project.

You need to have an adult present, when making the dough.

You can split your extra credit in half and apply them to both subjects.

Monday, December 1, 2008

How is the troubled economy affecting you? 11/30-12/6

Read the article and answer the question below.
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3750563

How has the current economic crisis affected you and your family? Can you tell if things are getting better yet?

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Green Tips: Conserve Resources 11/30-12/6

Click on the link below, and post how you can help save the earth.

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Stories/SpaceScience/Green-tips-resources

Extra Credit

1. Posting-All posts (click on the comment link) made (with your name clearly listed) that are at LEAST two complete sentences long will receive up to THREE points of Extra Credit (limited to two post per week).
**Make sure that you are posting on articles that you want the extra credit for in that subject.**
Example: How is the troubled economy affecting you? , this would be extra credit in social studies.
**Blogging is for students only!!!**

2. Become a Follower-If you have a google account you can become a follower of the website. Sign into your google account and add this blog and you will become a follower. This will allow you to get email updates about each new post. All students will get FIVE points of extra credit.

(Please ask your parent's for permission, before opening up a googgle account.)

Let your parents know about this, and you can receive an additional THREE points of extra credit for them becoming followers as well!