Holly = Bailey

Holly Bailey

EMG 806

Writing Portfolio Assignment

Ecosystems

4^th=20 Grade

Core Content and Academic=20 Expectations:

SC-E-3.3.2 =

The world has many different environments. Distinct = environments support the lives of different types of organisms. When the = environment changes, some plants and animals survive and reproduce, and others die or move to new=20 locations.

SC-E-3.3.3 =

All organisms, including humans, cause changes in = the=20 environment where they live. Some of these changes are detrimental to = the=20 organism or to other organisms; other changes are beneficial (e.g., dams = built=20 by beavers benefit some aquatic organisms but are detrimental to=20 others).

Academic=20 Expectation 1.1

Students use=20 reference tools such as dictionaries, almanacs, encyclopedias, and = computer=20 reference programs and research tools such as interviews and surveys to = find the=20 information they need to meet specific demands, explore interests, or = solve=20 specific problems.

Academic=20 Expectation 1.11

Students write=20 using appropriate forms, conventions, and styles to communicate ideas = and=20 information to different audiences for different = purposes.

Background = Information: Our class has just finished a = unit on=20 ecosystems. We have = learned about=20 the different types of ecosystems, the changes that can occur in = ecosystems, and=20 how to conserve and preserve our ecosystems.

Prompt: After learning all of this = information,=20 we discovered that the city of=20 Winchester plans to cut down = the=20 small forest ecosystem on Old Boonesborough Road to = build a=20 small shopping area. =20

Task: Your task is to persuade the = mayor to=20 save that small ecosystem by writing him a persuasive letter or developing a = persuasive brochure. Either form you choose will be = sent to=20 the mayor for his review. = Remember,=20 you are trying to persuade the mayor into leaving the ecosystem = alone. It may be a good idea to think = of a=20 better place to put the small shopping area. Conduct some research by using = your=20 science book, other research books, or the Internet.

Topics to Consider: These are a few ideas to get = you=20 started. You are not = limited to=20 these ideas. If you have = other=20 ideas that relate to the topic feel free to use those as = well.

What animals = will be=20 affected?=20
What plants = will be=20 affected?=20
What fungi = will be=20 affected?=20
What will it = do to the=20 soil?=20
How=20 will it harm our environment?

Scoring Guide =

Distinguished

100%

Proficient

93%

Apprentice

85%

Novice

73%

=B7 =20 Correct form=20 used properly

=B7 =20 Clearly=20 persuasive

=B7 =20 Clear evidence=20 of being researched

=B7 =20 Spelling and=20 grammar correct

=B7 =20 Correct form=20 used with few mistakes

=B7 =20 Persuasive

=B7 =20 Researched

=B7 =20 Few = spelling=20 and grammar mistakes

=B7 =20 A = correct form=20 was chosen with parts missing

=B7 =20 Little=20 evidence of persuasion

=B7 =20 Little=20 evidence of being researched

=B7 =20 Several=20 spelling and grammar mistakes

=B7 =20 The = incorrect=20 form was used

=B7 =20 No = evidence of=20 persuasion

=B7 =20 No = evidence of=20 being researched

=B7 =20 Many = spelling=20 and grammar = mistakes