WRITING = PORTFOLIO ASSIGNMENT

WRITING = PORTFOLIO=20 ASSIGNMENT

Name: = Julie=20 Wood

Note: = The actual = handout I=20 will give to the students is on the following page, but I thought it = would be=20 beneficial to provide a class description and core content connections = as a=20 background for the assignment. =20

Class = Description:=20 Secondary = Earth=20 Science Class

Connection = to Core=20 Content, Program of Studies, and Academic=20 Expectations:

CORE=20 CONTENT

SC-H-2.1.1=20 Earth=20 systems have sources of energy that are internal and external to the = Earth. The=20 Sun is the major external source of energy. Two primary sources of = internal=20 energy are the decay of radioactive isotopes and the gravitational = energy from=20 Earth's original formation.

SC-H-2.1.2=20 The=20 outward transfer of Earth's internal heat drives convection circulation = in the=20 mantle. This causes the crustal plates to move on the face of the=20 Earth.

PROGRAM=20 OF STUDIES

S-HS-ESS-2=20 Students will examine how internal sources of energy propel crustal = plates=20 across the face of the globe.

S-HS-ESS-10=20 Students will examine and interpret ongoing changes of the Earth system = (e.g.,=20 earthquakes, mountain building).

ACADEMIC=20 EXPECTATIONS

2.2=20 Students=20 identify, analyze, and use patterns such as cycles and trends to = understand past=20 and present events and predict possible future = events.

2.6=20 Students understand how living and nonliving things change over time and = the=20 factors that influence the changes.

Volcano=20 Movie Writing Assignment

Earth=20 Science

Spring=20 2006

INTRODUCTION:=20 As we have learned from the past three units, the prevalence and = location,=20 driving forces, causes, and processes associated with volcanoes, = earthquakes,=20 and plate tectonics are intertwined. =20 For example, earthquakes and volcanoes are often concentrated = along plate=20 boundaries. In addition, = many of=20 the processes that form volcanoes are associated with plate = motions. As a summary activity related = to these=20 units, we will watch the movie =93Volcano: Fire on the Mountain = (1997)=94. The task is to prepare a = portfolio piece=20 that applies what you have learned in the volcano, earthquake, and plate = tectonic units to determine what aspects of the movie are fact and what = aspects=20 of the movie are fiction. =

If=20 for some reason you do not enjoy the movie =93Volcano: Fire on the = Mountain=20 (1997)=94, then you may choose to rent and watch another movie at home = and prepare=20 the assignment based on the movie you choose to watch on your own = time. The two other movies you may = choose from=20 are =93Dante=92s Peak (1997)=94 and =93Volcano (1997)=94. =

ASSIGNMENT:=20 The purpose of this assignment is to explain what aspects of the movie = are=20 scientifically correct and what aspects of the movie stretch the truth = or are=20 not scientifically correct using information you have learned in this = class and=20 information you have obtained from additional research/reading. The point is to synthesize = material you=20 have learned and apply it to what you see in the movie. Your paper should show me what = you have=20 learned from these units. =20

Decide=20 who you are going to write to and the type of piece you are going to = write.=20 Ideas include:

=B7 =20 A=20 letter to the producer of the movie (critique of the movie as it relates = to=20 science)

=B7 =20 An=20 informational article to a movie review website (provides a scientific = review of=20 the movie)

=B7 =20 An=20 editorial article to a local newspaper (informs the general public on = the=20 scientific correctness of the movie)

=B7 =20 Feel=20 free to come up with your own idea; however, please discuss the idea = with me for=20 approval before proceeding

Be=20 sure to address the following in your piece:

=B7 =20 An=20 overall critique of the movie from a scientific viewpoint (a rating of = the=20 scientific correctness of the movie) =20

=B7 =20 Specific=20 examples and aspects of the movie that were scientifically correct and=20 why

=B7 =20 Specific=20 examples and aspects of the movie that were not correct or that = stretched the=20 truth and why

=B7 =20 Suggestions/comments=20 for what the movie producer could have done to make the movie more=20 scientifically correct

=B7 =20 Potential=20 problems that could result if the general public believes EVERYTHING = they see in=20 the movie is factual =20

Remember=20 to utilize what you have learned in the units on earthquakes, volcanoes, = and=20 plate tectonics to prepare your writing piece. In addition, reference two = other sources=20 of information in your paper. = These=20 sources of information could include non-fiction reference books about=20 volcanoes, earthquakes, or plate tectonics and/or Internet sites. Be sure to site your = sources. We have discussed the correct = way to=20 site sources in a previous lesson.

SUGGESTION:=20 Divide a piece of paper into two columns. =20 Label one column as FACT and one column as FICTION. Take notes on the scientific = aspects of=20 the movie while you watch. = These=20 notes will serve as part of the outline for your paper.

The=20 following websites may be useful sources of = information:

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/LivingWith/PopCulture/DantesPeak/da= ntes_peak.html

This website = specifically discusses the scientific aspects of Dante=92s Peak, but the = questions=20 and answers it addresses apply to fact or fiction issues related to all = volcano=20 movies.

http://www.geolo= gy.sdsu.edu/how_volcanoes_work/

This website = discusses=20 all aspects of volcanism from eruption dynamics to volcanic landforms to = types=20 of eruptions.

http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/volc/

This website = is a=20 United States Geological Survey (USGS) general website about volcanoes.=20

http://pubs.usgs.= gov/gip/volcus/titlepage.html

This is = another USGS=20 website that discusses how plate tectonics influence volcanoes and also=20 discusses volcanoes of the United=20 States.

SCORING = GUIDE (100=20 points possible)

5 points = =20 overall critique/rating of the movie

30 = points =20 paper discusses a minimum of three in depth examples/aspects of = the movie=20 that were scientifically correct and provides support as to why the = information=20 presented in the movie is correct from information learned in class or=20 researched information

30 = points =20 paper discusses a minimum of three in depth examples/aspects of = the movie=20 that were not scientifically correct and provides reasons/documentation = as to=20 why the information presented in the movie is not correct based on = information=20 learned in class or researched information

10 = points =20 paper provides suggestions (minimum of two) on how to make the = movie more=20 scientifically correct

10 = points =20 paper discusses potential problems (minimum of two) resulting = from=20 relatively non-informed people (such as the general public) watching the = movie

5 = points =20 use of at least two informational sources and references properly = documented

10 points = =20 overall presentation including formatting (organization, grammar, = spelling, overall flow of the piece, make sure the font is the same = throughout,=20 adequate margins, proper use of paragraphs,=20 etc.)