--PRINT-- Teacher Final Project Lesson: Show What You Know! --PRINT--

Teacher Final Project Lesson: Show What You Know!

Overview
Students will prepare a final project that will demonstrate their understanding of the major concepts of Musical Plates.

Objectives
Students will:

Summarize important information.

Use their creative and technological skills to share information with others

Use written communication skills to inform and report.

Time:
Will vary depending upon the ability of the students and whether or not they will work at home or in school.

Materials

World map on which students have previously plotted the earthquakes

Musical Plates journal/notebook OR Final Project Student Worksheet

Computer with Internet access

Art supplies (poster paper, markers, etc.)

Microsoft PowerPoint (optional)

Web authoring program, e.g. FrontPage, Netscape Composer (optional)

Teacher Preparation

Read the Final Project Activity before beginning this project.

Background Information on Emergency Preparedness

American Red Cross

FEMA - Federal Emergency Management Agency (Spanish)

USGS Earthquake FAQs

Procedure

Direct the students back to the Student Final Project: Show What You Know! in the Student Activities section.

Depending on your school resources and time constraints, you may choose to modify or limit the final product choices.

Plan on a time when students can present their final projects.

Assessment Suggestions

You might want to consider the following categories and questions. These categories will vary depending on the ability and age of the students, as well as the time you allot for them to complete the project.

Appearance: Does the project show effort? Is it creative? Is the material well organized and presented in logical sequence?
Content: Is the information accurate? Are the concepts are accurately identified and clearly understood? Does the information show that the student learned what was intended?
Language mechanics: Did the student check grammar, spelling, and word usage.?

It is also recommended that you develop a rubric to grade the final projects. The following are web sites that you can go to for guidance on developing rubrics. The rubric should be developed with your students so that they can help set the expectations.

Kathy Schrock’s Guide for Assessment Rubrics
Rubrics for Web Lessons
Sample Rubrics from Ontario Teachers Online (Includes information on how to evaluate group work)

Student Activity

The following instructions for Student Final Project are printed in the Student Activities section of this web site.

Instructions:

Now, its time to show what you know! Individually or in a small group, you will create a brochure, a poster display, a web page, or a multi-media presentation (i.e. PowerPoint, etc.) to present to your teacher, classmates and school community what you have learned by participating in this project. Below is a suggested format to follow as you are creating your final project.

Check with your teacher before you begin to find out what is expected of you. Some useful Internet sites are also listed below as well as in the Reference section of this project.

SUGGESTED FORMAT

COVER PAGE

You should always begin with a cover page.

SECTION ONE: What, Where, How, Why?

You should try and answer the following questions in this section. You may also want to include a map that shows the earthquakes you charted in class as well as the corresponding tectonic plates. Be sure to include visuals, maps, graphs, and pictures to illustrate your responses.

What are earthquakes?

Where do they occur most often? Why?

How likely is it that your area will experience an earthquake?
Note: To assess the probability of an earthquake occurring in your area, find your state on the United States Seismicity Maps

SECTION TWO: Effects on People's Lives

You should describe how earthquakes and volcanoes affect the lives of people living in the communities in which they happen. Use some of the information you found in the eyewitness accounts for examples. If you know someone who has experienced an earthquake or volcanic eruption, you may include an interview with him or her.

SECTION THREE: Emergency Response Plan

You should describe how community residents and authorities can prepare for an earthquake or volcanic eruption and its aftermath? Review Earthquake advice from the USGS, the Red Cross and other agencies. If you live in an area that is susceptible to earthquakes, include suggestions specificto your area.
The following sites contain reliable information on earthquake preparedness:

American Red Cross

FEMA - Federal Emergency Management Agency (Spanish)

USGS Earthquake FAQs

SECTION FOUR: Conclusion

You should include a brief section summarizing all the information you have learned and any final thoughts.