Current Event Current Event AssignmentAssignmentAP Biology – 2AP Biology – 2ndnd Semester Semester

Purpose:Purpose:

In order to more successfully contribute In order to more successfully contribute to community and society at large, one to community and society at large, one should be current on the world’s issues, should be current on the world’s issues, updates, and changes. Being an updates, and changes. Being an informed citizen and discussing current informed citizen and discussing current events will give one a better perspective events will give one a better perspective on different points of view and encourage on different points of view and encourage a healthier lifestyle. a healthier lifestyle.

Article Guidelines: Article Guidelines:

Article must be current—within approximately one month of due date. Article must be relevant Article must be from appropriate source—NOT Wikipedia! (see suggestions below)Article must be submitted on time.

DirectionsDirections::

You will read a current events article and turn You will read a current events article and turn in a current events assignment. in a current events assignment. The news source can be digital or print. The news source can be digital or print. All current event assignments are due on dates All current event assignments are due on dates

provided. provided. If you have an “excused” absence on a due date, your If you have an “excused” absence on a due date, your

assignment is due the next class. assignment is due the next class.

You may only use the Current Events Assignment You may only use the Current Events Assignment Template given in class and you should also Template given in class and you should also familiarize yourself with the rubric before completing familiarize yourself with the rubric before completing the assignment. the assignment.

DirectionsDirections: : Current Event Assignment Current Event Assignment TemplateTemplateNote:Note: Begin by MARKING THE TEXT as you read! This should Begin by MARKING THE TEXT as you read! This should

include underlining main ideas, highlighting important include underlining main ideas, highlighting important facts/details, circling unfamiliar vocabulary, writing notes facts/details, circling unfamiliar vocabulary, writing notes and/or connections in the margins, etc. Specific directions for and/or connections in the margins, etc. Specific directions for each section are given below.each section are given below.

Summary:Summary: Summarize the main idea of your article. This should be Summarize the main idea of your article. This should be easy if you have already underlined main ideas and easy if you have already underlined main ideas and highlighted important facts. highlighted important facts.

Vocabulary:Vocabulary: Circle at least three unfamiliar vocabulary words, Circle at least three unfamiliar vocabulary words, important places and/or people from your article as you read. important places and/or people from your article as you read. Define the vocabulary words and/or explain the importance of Define the vocabulary words and/or explain the importance of the place(s) and people you indicated as important. the place(s) and people you indicated as important.

Reflection:Reflection: Think about your own opinion or reaction to the topic Think about your own opinion or reaction to the topic presented in the article. Do you agree or not? What is your presented in the article. Do you agree or not? What is your reaction, position, claim, argument? reaction, position, claim, argument?

Biology Connection: Biology Connection: Explain how the article you chose relates to Explain how the article you chose relates to your Biology Learning Community. your Biology Learning Community.

Presentation Rubric:Presentation Rubric: The presentation portion of the assignment will be counted

towards the quarter’s participation points. The presenter will earn an automatic 5 participation points if he/she does the following: Actually presents the article to the class Is prepared to present – it is obvious that he/she read the article

carefully, has reflected on it, and was relatively smooth in relaying the important points to the class

Was prepared to answer questions and was knowledgeable about background information if applicable

Was energetic and showed an interest in what was being presented and talked about – this means that you didn’t just walk to the front of class and get it done as quickly and boringly as possible. Try to actually educate us as to why this is applicable, interesting and important.

NOTE: Failure to do all of these will result in points being subtracted – there is no guarantee that you will earn all five just because you stepped in front of the class. The better you do the more points you will earn!