Suffolk Public School’s

Portfolio Packet

2nd Nine Weeks

Student’s Name: ____________________________________

School: ___________________________________________

Accelerated Course: _8th Geography_______________________

Core Teacher: __________________________Block: ______

Gifted Resource Teacher: _____________________________

This packet must be submitted at the conclusion of this nine

week grading period, along with evidence of completed work.

Date Submitted: __________________________________

_______________________________________________ ____________________________________

Student Signature GRT Signature

GRT Comments:

Linda Ellis, Gifted Resource Teacher, FGMS, Suffolk Public Schools 2

Country Gallery Walk Exhibit for the Smithsonian

In this unit you are working for the Smithsonian Museum. You have been directed by your boss to construct a museum exhibit on a country in Latin America, the Caribbean, North Africa or South west Asia. The exhibit needs to be completed for the gala opening night

ceremony in 7 weeks. You have decided to create an illustrated children’s book (or a magazine or newspaper) to help explain your country and its people. You also want to

showcase an art form and explain a problem that your country is having. Continue with your assignment and read the instructions below.

L. Ellis Gifted Resource Teacher, FGMS, Suffolk Public Schools Page 3

Understanding By Design Unit Plan

Title: Interactive Museum Subject/Course: Geography

Topic:

Country Gallery Walk Exhibit

Grade: 8 Designers: Ellis

Quest Standards: Q1.1 The students will apply problem solving skills (ie: identify problems, formulate hypotheses, generate ideas, employ deductive reasoning, choose and apply solutions) to achieve an outcome or solution to problems. Q1.2 The students will use critical thinking skills (i.e.: inquiry, abstract logical thinking, inductive reasoning, critical analysis, and the ability to find and use information) to achieve understanding, evaluate view points, and solve problems. Q1.3 The students will be able to use effective communication in processing complex problems. Q2.1 The students will be able to identify and utilize inductive and deductive thinking processes. Q2.2 The students will gather and assess relevant information using abstract ideas to interpret the information effectively. Q2.3 The students will arrive at well reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them against relevant criteria and standards. Geography Standards: WG.4 The student will locate and analyze physical, economic, and cultural characteristics of world regions: Latin America and the Caribbean, North Africa and Southwest Asia.

Topic(s)

Physical, economic and cultural characteristics of world regions, Latin America and the Caribbean and

North Africa and Southwest Asia

Activities

Museum exhibit Choose one:

Illustrated Children’s book Magazine Newspaper

Art Exhibit Problem Exhibit

Assessments 1. Completion of Portfolio

2. Completion of Illustrated Children’s Book, Magazine or Newspaper

3. Exhibit of Art Form

4. Exhibit of a major problem facing the country

Stage 1 – Desired Results

Established Goals: 1. Students will research a country and use the information obtained to create a museum exhibit on

a country from Latin America, the Caribbean, North Africa, or Southwest Asia. 2. Their museum exhibit will include an Illustrated Children’s Book, a Magazine, or a Newspaper

that they will write and which will also include illustrations they have designed. 3. Students will create an art form exhibit for their museum. 4. Students will choose a problem that is happening in their country, research it and create an

L. Ellis Gifted Resource Teacher, FGMS, Suffolk Public Schools Page 4

exhibit explaining it for their museum. 5. Students will present their museum exhibit in class.

Students will Understand: 1. The development of a region is influenced by

many factors, including physical, economic, and cultural characteristics.

2. The interaction of humans with their environment affects the development of a region.

3. Different criteria may be used to determine a country’s relative importance.

4. Elements of the physical environment, such as major bodies of water and mountains, influence the economic and cultural characteristics of regions.

Essential Questions: 1. In what ways do physical, economic, and

cultural characteristics influence regional development?

2. What are some ways that human interaction with the environment affects the development of a region?

3. What are some criteria that may be used to determine a country’s relative importance?

4. What impact do elements of the physical environment, such as major bodies of water and mountains, have on countries in a region?

Students will know…. 1. About human interaction with environment 2. Criteria for determining relative importance 3. Impact of physical elements

Students will be able to…. 1. Explain charts comparing two or more

concepts. 2. Identify primary ideas expressed in graphic

data. 3. Gather, classify, and interpret information. 4. Draw conclusions and make inferences

about data. 5. Explain cause-and-effect relationships. 6. Identify and locate regions, continents,

oceans, and major features on maps and globes.

Stage 3 – Learning Plan

Learning activities:

1. Students will work independently to meet project due dates. 2. Students will create an illustrated children’s book, a newspaper, or a magazine based on their

country. 3. The teacher will provide a positive learning environment to foster student independent learning.

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Country Walk Gallery Exhibit for the Smithsonian

You have been chosen by The Smithsonian Museum to design an exhibit about one of the countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, North Africa, or Southwest Asia. Once completed, tourists will move from exhibit to exhibit to learn about these countries. You will create an illustrated children’s book, newspaper, OR magazine along with an art exhibit and a current issue or problem exhibit. You will have to “travel” to your country and gather information and data that you will need for your exhibit. The curator at the Smithsonian stated that you must include information about your country from 6 of the following categories:

The Arts Climate Culture Daily Life/Dress Economy Government History Important Landmarks Physical landscape Religion Choice any other information that you feel is necessary

Your exhibit needs to be ready to present to the “Boss” (your teachers) and the museum employees (other students) for the grand “Country Walk Gallery Exhibit,” in seven weeks. You will be researching a country from the chart on the next page.

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8th Geog-P-7 Students will determine which country they will work with by pulling the name out of a bag. The following countries are located in the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America, South America, and North Africa and Southwest Asia.

Caribbean

Mexico and Central America

South America

North Africa and Southwest Asia (Middle East).

1. Cuba 2. Dominican Republic 3. Haiti 4. Jamaica 5. Puerto Rico (U.S.

1. Belize 2. Costa Rica 3. El Salvador 4. Guatemala 5. Honduras 6. Mexico 7. Nicaragua 8. Panama

1. Argentina 2. Bolivia 3. Brazil 4. Chile 5. Columbia 6. Ecuador 7. French Guiana 8. Guyana 9. Paraguay 10. Peru 11. Suriname 12. Uruguay 13. Venezuela

1. Algeria 2. Egypt 3. Iran 4. Israel 5. Kuwait 6. Libya 7. Qatar 8. Saudi Arabia 9. Turkey 10. United Arab Emirates

Your final museum exhibit and presentation must contain the following items:

I. Completed Gifted and Talented Portfolio Packet II. One of the following:

a. An Illustrated Children’s Book b. A Magazine c. A Newspaper

III. Exhibit of your country’s art form IV. Exhibit of your country’s important problem V. Posters, papers, plaques, etc. that might be seen in a museum exhibit

You will present your Museum exhibit to the class as the final item in your Portfolio.

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8th Geog-P2-1

Illustrated Children’s Book

Unlike a picture book which is only pictures, an illustrated

children’s book can tell a story with a plot that has a

beginning, middle, and an ending. It can also be an

informative book that gives the information in an

entertaining way. So if you choose to create an illustrated

children’s book for your country, you will want to present the

factual information in a way that makes it fun to learn.

Requirements for an Illustrated Children’s Book must include the following:

1. 8 pages (or more) total

2. Include information for 6 of the following topics: The Arts Climate Culture Daily Life/Dress Economy Government History Important Landmarks Physical landscape Religion Choice any other information that you feel is necessary

3. Front and back cover. Cover of Project must have a meaningful title, an illustration,

and your name. You should use a binder or a folder where you can secure the pages (just like a book), loose pages will not be accepted

4. Must have at least 1 graph OR chart

5. 6 colorful and neatly presented illustrations, with captions. The illustrations should be relevant to the story

Note: Pages can be 1 or 2 sided (but they must be neat, no magic marker bleed through etc.)

L. Ellis Gifted Resource Teacher, FGMS, Suffolk Public Schools Page 8

8th Geog-P2-2

Newspaper

Newspapers are a way to communicate with people. They contain news articles, editorials, financial information, sports, advertisements, cartoons, pictures, and want ads. If you choose to create a newspaper you should make it informative as well as entertaining.

Requirements for a Newspaper must include the following:

1. 6 pages with different articles (or more)

2. Include information for 6 of the following topics: The Arts Climate Culture Daily Life/Dress Economy Government History Important Landmarks Physical landscape Religion Choice any other information that you feel is necessary

3. Follow a newspaper format, use a folder to contain

your newspaper (Loose pages will not be accepted) headlines on the front page articles may start on one page and end on another remember to tell the reader which page to go to so

they can follow the article from one page to another

pages must be numbered

4. 4 illustrations with captions, colorful and neatly presented. The illustrations should be relevant to the story

5. Must have at least 1 graph OR chart

6. 4 advertisements that relate to your country Note: Pages can be 1 or 2 sided (but they must be neat, no magic marker bleed through etc.)

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8th Geog-P2-3

Magazine

Magazines can contain essays, short stories, short biographies, consumer information, sports and educational items, usually by many different authors. Most of the time magazines focus on a particular subject or area. There are magazines devoted to news, sports, hobbies, fashion, food, and just about anything else that you can think of. Some examples of magazines are Consumer Reports, CNN Money, ESPN Sports, Martha Stewart, Ebony, Teen, and PC Gamer. The cover should grab your attention. Requirements for a Magazine must include the following:

1. 6 pages with different articles (or more) 2. Include information for 6 of the

following topics: The Arts Climate Culture Daily Life/Dress Economy Government History Important Landmarks Physical landscape Religion Choice any other information that you feel is necessary

3. Follow a magazine format headlines on the front page articles may start on one page and end on another remember to tell the reader which page to go to so they can follow the article from one

page to another pages must be numbered

4. Front and back cover. Cover of Project must have a meaningful title, an illustration, and your name. You should use a binder or a folder where you can secure the pages (just like a book), loose pages will not be accepted.

5. 4 illustrations, with captions. The illustrations should be relevant to the story

6. Must have at least 1 graph or chart 7. 4 advertisements that relate to items that would be of

interest to people of your country

Note: Pages can be 1 or 2 sided (but they must be neat, no magic marker bleed through etc.)

L. Ellis Gifted Resource Teacher, FGMS, Suffolk Public Schools Page 10

8th Geog-P2-4

Art Form All countries have different art forms that are unique to that country. Rangoli is a traditional folk art from India. Rangoli are decorative designs made on the floors of living rooms and courtyards during Hindu festivals. They are meant to be sacred welcoming areas for the Hindu deities. The ancient symbols have been passed on through the ages, from each generation to the next, keeping both the art form and the tradition alive. The patterns are typically created with materials that can include colored rice, dry flour, colored sand or even flower petals.

Choose an art form from your country to use in your final presentation. You may use any of the following (other, must be teacher approved) Music, with or without lyrics, examples, calypso, reggae, or steel drums Perform a dance such as the Salsa, Indian dances, or the Meringue Create art forms such as mosaics, “stained glass,” arabesques, geometric tiles, calligraphy or

prayer rugs Painting, drawing, crafting, or any other “artsy” ways to demonstrate your art form Make items of art such as masks, textiles, or jewelry

1. Decide on the art form that you will use in your presentation. (You may use more than one, for

instance you can play an instrument and sing a song). List your choice: ____________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

2. How will you present your art form? (Will you create and make it, paint it, sing it, play it, dance?) Explain here: ___________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

3. What materials will you need to present your art form? (Poster board, paints, markers, string, clay,

pencils, music cd, computer, instrument, lyrics, sheet music, costume?) ___________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

L. Ellis Gifted Resource Teacher, FGMS, Suffolk Public Schools Page 11

8th Geog-P2-5 Important Problem

All countries have important issues that they have to deal with. These

issues can be conflicts or wars based on governmental rule, religion,

border or land disputes, resource use, or any of a number of other types

of disputes. Countries may also have human rights issues or disaster

issues. All countries have problems. Some problems that countries face

come from within the country such as problems with the country’s

leaders. Maybe they have a very brutal dictator or a governmental

system (communism) that is not working. Sometimes the problems a

country faces are from outside its borders such as invasion from a

foreign government. The problems can be manmade such as religious

conflict, or natural such as a lack of food from a drought.

Choose one of the problems facing your country today. 1. What is the problem that you would like to examine? _____ ____________________________________________

____________________________________________

2. Briefly explain the problem._______________________

____________________________________________

____________________________________________

____________________________________________

____________________________________________

3. How can you represent your problem in a museum exhibit? Draw a visual representation of your

exhibit in the box below.

4. List the items will you need in order to construct your exhibit? (Posters, pictures, drawings, videos, model clay, paint, markers, colored pencils, etc.)___________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 5. Create a 3D model of the exhibit you have represented above.

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8th Geog-P2-6 Museum Checklist

Use this checklist to help you keep track of the progress that you are making for your exhibit. Check

the items off as you finish them. My country is __________________________________. Illustrated Children’s Book

Newspaper Magazine

______ Folder to contain your work (can be 3 prong)

______ 8 (or more) pages total Must include at least 6 of the following topics: ______ The Arts ______ Climate ______ Culture ______ Daily Life/Dress ______ Economy ______ Government ______ History ______ Important Landmarks ______ Physical Landscape ______ Religion ______ Choice ______ Front and back cover

Name Meaningful title Illustration

______ 1 graph or chart ______ 6 illustrations with captions Did you follow a book format? Is your work? ______ Neat ______ Colorful ______ Visually appealing

______ Folder to contain your work (can be 3 prong)

______ 6 (or more) pages with articles total Must include at least 6 of the following topics: ______ The Arts ______ Climate ______ Culture ______ Daily Life/Dress ______ Economy ______ Government ______ History ______ Important Landmarks ______ Physical Landscape ______ Religion ______ Choice ______ Front and back cover

Name Meaningful title Illustration(s)

______ 1 graph or chart ______4 illustrations with captions ______ 4 Advertisements ______ Did you follow a newspaper

format? Is your work? ______ neat ______ colorful ______ Visually appealing

______ Folder to contain your work (can be 3 prong)

______ 6 (or more) pages with articles total Must include at least 6 of the following topics: ______ The Arts ______ Climate ______ Culture ______ Daily Life/Dress ______ Economy ______ Government ______ History ______ Important Landmarks ______ Physical Landscape ______ Religion ______ Choice ______ Front and back cover

Name Meaningful title Illustration(s)

______ 1 graph or chart ______4 illustrations with captions ______ 4 Advertisements ______ Did you follow a magazine

format? Is your work? ______ neat ______ colorful ______ Visually appealing

Art Exhibit Current Problem/Issue Exhibit ____ Type of Art Form ____ How to Present art form ____ Materials needed to present ____ Completed portfolio worksheet ____ Ready to present

____ Problem or Issue topic ____ Explanation of Topic ____ How to present problem/issue ____ Materials needed to present ____Completed exhibit ____Completed portfolio worksheet ____ Ready to present

L. Ellis Gifted Resource Teacher, FGMS, Suffolk Public Schools Page 13

Country Gallery Walk Museum Exhibit

You will create a Country Gallery Walk Museum Exhibit. You will name your Exhibit and it will contain the items listed below. You will work on this ongoing project/research based activity using

the internet, text books, class notes and supplemental materials. Due Date

Assignment 8thGeography Portfolio

2nd 9 weeks

Completion Date

Score 4= Advanced 3= Proficient 2= Basic 1=Below Basic

2 pages or articles and 1 illustration

8th Geog-P2-1,2, or 3 (research/project

work in class)

2 pages or articles and 1 illustration

8th Geog-P2-1,2, or 3 (research/project

work in class)

2 pages or articles and 2 illustrations

8th Geog-P2-1,2, or 3 (research/project

work in class)

2 pages or 4 advertisements and 1 graph or chart

8th Geog-P2-1,2, or 3

Art Exhibit 8th Geog-P2-4

Problem/current issue Exhibit 8th Geog-P2-5

Museum checklist 8th Geog-P2-6

Presentation to class 8th Geog-P2-7 (in class)

Teacher comments:

L. Ellis Gifted Resource Teacher, FGMS, Suffolk Public Schools Page 14