Teacher Page

Science Content Standards

H.8.3 Understand the consequences of decisions affecting personal health and safety

F.8.9 Explain how some of the changes on the earth are contributing to changes in the balance of life and affecting the survival or population growth of certain species

F.8.10 Project how current trends in human resource use and population growth will influence the natural environment, and show how current policies affect those trends.

C.8.8 Use computer software and other technologies to organize, process, and present their data

H.8.2 Present a scientific solution to a problem involving the earth and space, life and environmental, or physical sciences and participate in a consensus-building discussion to arrive at a group decision

C.8.5 Use accepted scientific knowledge, models*, and theories* to explain* their results and to raise further questions about their investigations*

C.8.8 Use computer software and other technologies to organize, process, and present their data
C.8.10 Discuss the importance of their results and implications of their work with peers, teachers, and other adults

F.8.8 Show through investigations how organisms both depend on and contribute to the balance or imbalance of populations and/or ecosystems, which in turn contribute to the total system of life on the planet

B.8.6 Explain the ways in which scientific knowledge is useful and also limited when applied to social issues

Teacher's Role

It is the role of the teacher to help individual groups go through a problem definition exercise based on their role.  The teacher will need to help groups organize and choose roles based on their group assignment. Each group takes the side of one of the participants however they will need scriptwriters, researchers, actors, video photographers, and editors.  The teacher will need to scaffold the process for some groups and get KWL and brainstorm tools as groups define their roles so they can write scripts and focus on filming.

The teacher will conduct large group mini lessons as needs arise.  The teacher will need to also watch groups, time keep, and act as the groups editor.  In that role he/she will be able to accept and air the groups story or ask them to go back and edit, revise and resubmit their part of the story.   

Graphic Organizers from National Geographic

Lesson Ideas from Thinkfinity
(Useful Planning and Evaluaiton Tools for Students)

   MyTube: Changing the World With Video Public Service Announcements

      PSA Planning Guide
      Evaluating Products

   3-2-1 Vocabulary: Learning Filmmaking Vocabulary by Making Films

      

21st Century Skills Standards

Critical Thinking

Problem Solving

Speaking and Listening

Debate

Research

Reading and Writing

Investigating

Timeline

Week   Learning/Content  Activites  Assessment
1. Background knowledge about what clean water means to them. Readings/videos What water means to you- 15 second video
2. Read information about watersheds Erosion/Watershed Lab

3D Watershed
3.  Research your position. What makes up a feature newstory? Take notes on a news show like 20/20

Discussion/Blog

Letter to the Editor
4.  Script and film Write script. Students need to take a position on their role. Students will complete a 2-3 minute news cast which will be video taped.