Online Actions in Writing: for Math and Science

High School Geometry and Earth/Space Science

Yvette Powell RobitailleLAE 6315 Dr. Joseph

6.22.14

Math: GeometryTask 1

Suppose a water tank in the shape of a right circular cylinder is thirty feet long and eight feet in diameter. How much sheet metal was used in its construction?

Stapel, Elizabeth. "Geometry Word Problems: Basic Examples." Purplemath. Available from http://www.purplemath.com/modules/perimetr2.htm. Accessed 22 June 2014

Prove your answer writing. Identify the math concept that the question is addressing. Explain your thinking as you describe the steps to solve the problem. Illustrate your solution with pictures, graphs, or formulas where appropriate. Write in complete sentences.

Possible 9 points: See Rubric on slide 7

Math: GeometryTask 2

A circular swimming pool with a diameter of 28 feet has a deck of uniform width built around it. If the area of the deck is 60(pi) square feet, find its width.

Stapel, Elizabeth. "Geometry Word Problems: Basic Examples." Purplemath. Available from http://www.purplemath.com/modules/perimetr2.htm. Accessed 22 June 2014

Prove your answer writing. Identify the math concept that the question is addressing. Explain your thinking as you describe the steps to solve the problem. Illustrate your solution with pictures, graphs, or formulas where appropriate. Write in complete sentences.

Possible 9 points: See Rubric on slide 7

Math: GeometryTask 3

A goat is tied to the corner of a 5-by-4-meter shed by an 8-meter piece of rope. Rounded to the nearest square meter, what is the area grazed by the goat?

Stapel, Elizabeth. "Geometry Word Problems: The Box Problem & The Goat Problem." Purplemath. Available from http://www.purplemath.com/modules/perimetr5.htm. Accessed 22 June 2014

Prove your answer writing. Identify the math concept that the question is addressing. Explain your thinking as you describe the steps to solve the problem. Illustrate your solution with pictures, graphs, or formulas where appropriate. Write in complete sentences.

Possible 9 points: See Rubric on slide 7

Math: GeometryTask 4

The riding stables has a rush of registrations for the next horse show, and needs additional paddock space. There is funding for 1200 feet of fencing. The plan is to form two paddocks with one shared fence running down the middle. What is the maximum area that the stables can obtain, and what are the dimensions of each of the two paddocks?

Stapel, Elizabeth. "Geometry Word Problems: Maximizing and Minimizing." Purplemath. Available from http://www.purplemath.com/modules/perimetr6.htm. Accessed 22 June 2014

Prove your answer writing. Identify the math concept that the question is addressing. Explain your thinking as you describe the steps to solve the problem. Illustrate your solution with pictures, graphs, or formulas where appropriate. Write in complete sentences.

Possible 9 points: See Rubric on slide 7

Math: GeometryTask 5

Make a pizza box that is two inches deep and square, You have one large piece of cardboard. Form the bottom of the box by cutting out a large square, and then cutting out the two-inch squares from the corners that will allow you to fold up the edges to make a two-inch-deep box.

Stapel, Elizabeth. "Geometry Word Problems: The Box Problem & The Goat Problem." Purplemath. Available from http://www.purplemath.com/modules/perimetr5.htm. Accessed 22 June 2014

What should be the dimensions of the large square if you are only making the bottom of the box?

Prove your answer writing. Identify the math concept that the question is addressing. Explain your thinking as you describe the steps to solve the problem. Illustrate your solution with pictures, graphs, or formulas where appropriate. Write in complete sentences.

Possible 9 points: See Rubric on slide 7

Geometry: Math Writing Task Rubric

Criteria Points

3 2 1

Complexity of the argument

Sequence of the argument is logical and easy to follow

Part of the argument sequence

is logical, but incomplete

The sequence of the argument is difficult

to follow or is illogical

Content of the argument

Student demonstrates full knowledge of the

math task

Student demonstrates

partial knowledge of the math task

Student demonstrates incomplete or

inaccurate knowledge of the

math task

Mechanics of the essay

Student demonstrates full

mechanical writing skill with 0-1

errors

Student demonstrates

partial mechanical writing skill with 2-

3 errors

Student demonstrates limited

mechanical writing skill with 4+ writing

errors

Total

Science: Earth/SpaceTask 1

Why is it best to put salt on sidewalks and streets when it snows?

Lindsey, J. (2014). 10 Science Questions Every High School Graduate Should Know. Columbia News Service. Retrieved from http://www.kfvs12.com/story/4893045/10-science-questions-every-high-school-graduate-should-know-answers

Prove your answer writing. Identify the scientific theory that the question is addressing. Explain your thinking as you argue the reasoning behind your answer. Illustrate your solution with pictures, graphs, or formulas where appropriate. Write in complete sentences.

Possible 9 points: See Rubric on slide 13

Science: Earth/SpaceTask 2

Most people say the sky is blue. Give the scientific explanation behind this phenomenon.

Lindsey, J. (2014). 10 Science Questions Every High School Graduate Should Know. Columbia News Service. Retrieved from http://www.kfvs12.com/story/4893045/10-science-questions-every-high-school-graduate-should-know-answers

Prove your answer writing. Identify the scientific theory that the question is addressing. Explain your thinking as you argue the reasoning behind your answer. Illustrate your solution with pictures, graphs, or formulas where appropriate. Write in complete sentences.

Possible 9 points: See Rubric on slide 13

Science: Earth/SpaceTask 3

What causes a rainbow?

Lindsey, J. (2014). 10 Science Questions Every High School Graduate Should Know. Columbia News Service. Retrieved from http://www.kfvs12.com/story/4893045/10-science-questions-every-high-school-graduate-should-know-answers

Prove your answer writing. Identify the science theory that the question is addressing. Explain your thinking as you argue the reasoning behind your answer. Illustrate your solution with pictures, graphs, or formulas where appropriate. Write in complete sentences.

Possible 9 points: See Rubric on slide 13

Science: Earth/SpaceTask 4

How do volcanos form?

Olsen, J. (2001). Jessica’s volcano webpage. Department of Geological Sciences, California State University, Northridge. Retrieved from https://www.csun.edu/~jao45194/index.html

Prove your answer writing. Identify the scientific theory that the question is addressing. Explain your thinking as you argue the reasoning behind your answer. Illustrate your solution with pictures, graphs, or formulas where appropriate. Write in complete sentences.

Possible 9 points: See Rubric on slide 13

Science: Earth/SpaceTask 5

How do you calculate the age of fossils on earth?

Lindsey, J. (2014). 10 Science Questions Every High School Graduate Should Know. Columbia News Service. Retrieved from http://www.kfvs12.com/story/4893045/10-science-questions-every-high-school-graduate-should-know-answers

Prove your answer writing. Identify the scientific theory that the question is addressing. Explain your thinking as you argue the reasoning behind your answer. Illustrate your solution with pictures, graphs, or formulas where appropriate. Write in complete sentences.

Possible 9 points: See Rubric on slide 13

Earth/Space: Science Writing Task Rubric

Criteria Points 3 2 1

Complexity of the

argument

Sequence of the argument is logical and easy to follow

Part of the argument

sequence is logical, but incomplete

The sequence of the argument is difficult

to follow or is illogical

Content of the

argument

Student demonstrates full knowledge of the

science task

Student demonstrates

partial knowledge of the science task

Student demonstrates incomplete or

inaccurate knowledge of the

science task

Mechanics of the essay

Student demonstrates full

mechanical writing skill with

0-1 errors

Student demonstrates

partial mechanical writing skill with 2-

3 errors

Student demonstrates

limited mechanical writing skill with 4+

writing errors

Total