Project Design Template

Project Title: Slip Sliding Away

Project Idea: Students will explore weathering, erosion, and deposition by manipulating stream tables to model actual weathering problems in the community and globally.

Entry Event: The class goes outside to observe areas with erosion on the school grounds or in the community. During the observation, questions should include:

What is causing this?Why / When does this happen?Is this a problem? What might be done about it?

The teacher may also create a Power Point with photographs of erosion in the community, across the state, and in the country to share with the class (see SAMPLE PHOTOS of EROSION below).

As the investigation continues, students may use stream tables to understand erosional processes. A stream table is a waterproof box with a drain, partially filled with sand or other soils that may be placed at an angle. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oFEY8CVh_s. Plastic bins and buckets of water may be used in place of stream tables.

Content Standards:

Standards Directly Taught or Learned Through Discovery

Identified Learning Targets Evidence of Success in Achieving Identified Learning Target

S.4.GS.12 Make observations and/or measurements to provide evidence of the effects of weathering or the rate of erosion by water, ice, wind, or vegetation.

- Conduct stream table experiments with sand, clay, and soils brought from home.

- Prepare questions to ask specialists from the Department of Highways, Soil Conservation District and the Parks and Recreation Commission.

- Students will conduct experiments fairly and record their observations. Pictures will be taken as evidence of experiment results.

- Students interview the panel of experts regarding erosion in the area. Students write a summary of what they learned.

S.4.GS.14 Generate and compare multiple solutions to reduce the impacts of natural Earth processes on humans.*

- Design a stream table experiment that shows erosion and deposition.

-  Draw conclusions from the experiment.

- Students will complete a Stream Table Investigation Design Form (See Below).

- Verify conclusions drawn by students are correct.

TCS.3-5.8 Demonstrate creativity and learning through technology (e.g., digital storytelling,

- Take pictures of stream tables before and after experiments.- Take pictures of areas of the

-  Students develop individual photo essays for display.-  Students will present their multimedia projects to the class and to

keyboarding, portfolio creation, digital media displays, and other media, etc.)

community at the beginning of the unit where erosion has or may occur. Take and compare pictures after a weather event.- Write a prescription of ways to prevent or correct erosion problems.- Develop a product to present, regarding the findings (newscast, skit, commercial, article, flow chart, musical piece, etc.).

community members to provide background for photo essay displays. Presentations will be scored with Oral Presentation Rubric (See Below).

DSS.3-5.7 Develop Learning Skills Work collaboratively to

solve problems, complete tasks, and/or investigate topics of interest.

Explore a variety of learning opportunities within the classroom and home environment.

Maintain concentration over a reasonable amount of time despite distractions and interruptions.

Independently complete routines and learning tasks.

Work together to carry out an experiment.

After completing the experiment, each student will do a self-evaluation on working collaboratively using Collaboration Rubric (See Below).

Performance Objectives: KnowCauses of erosionWays to correct erosion problemsEffects of variation of scale on erosion (amount of rain, slope, etc.)

DoDesign an experimentCarry out multiple trials of an experimentControl variables in an experimentUse PowerPoint and word processingUse a digital camera and upload picturesIncorporate a blog in a learning experienceWork as an effective group member

Driving Question: How can we avoid erosion and correct erosion problems in our community?

Assessment Plan:

Major Group ProductsYour role as a team of earth scientists is to design and carry out the Stream Table Investigation Design Form using a stream table to compare and explain the different rates of weathering, erosion and deposition on various materials. Relate the stream table activities to actual erosion problems in the community. A group multi-media presentation of the results and conclusions will be made to the class and community. The Oral Presentation Rubric will be used for evaluation.

Major Individual ProductsPhoto Essay (photo examples of erosion, written summary on causes of erosion, possible ways to avoid it, and possible ways to repair eroded areas). Photo essays will be on display the day of the group presentations.

Assessment and Reflection:

Rubric(s) I will use: (Check all that apply.)

CollaborationCollaboration Rubric

X Written CommunicationPhoto Essay Rubric (See Below)

X

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

Content Knowledge

Oral CommunicationOral Presentation Rubric

X Other

Other classroom assessments for learning: (Check all that apply)

Quizzes/ tests Practice presentationsSelf-evaluation NotesPeer evaluation Checklists/observationsOnline tests and exams Concept maps

Reflections: Survey Focus GroupDiscussion Task Management ChartJournal Writing/ Learning LogInvestigation Design Form

X OtherSelf Reflection

X

Map the Product: Product:

Knowledge and Skills Needed Already Have Learned

Taught Before the Project

Taught During the

Project1.  Form hypothesis X2.  Control variables X3.  Work in cooperative group X4.  Identify examples of erosion X5.  Use digital camera X6. Create PowerPoint presentation X

Resources: School-based Individuals: media specialisttechnology integration specialist

Technology

digital camerascomputer labinteractive whiteboard

Community:Dept. of Highways and Soil Conservation District PersonnelParks and Recreation Director

Materials:stream tablessandwatersoilcameras

Manage the Process:

Phase 1 – Entry Event and Debrief with Discussion of Erosion Introduce erosion concepts and vocabulary.

Phase 2 – Stream Table InvestigationProvide students the Collaboration Rubric. Discuss expectations for investigation, experimental design, and variables, including types of soil, amount of water, and slope. Students will complete Stream Table Investigation Design Form. Students will take before-and-after photographs for multimedia presentation. **A second stream table investigation may

take place at a later time to test a possible solution for the erosion of the soils.

Phase 3 – Expert Presentation with Questions and AnswersStudents will prepare questions in advance and take notes to clarify information about erosion.

Phase 4 – Begin Photo Essay.Distribute and discuss the Oral Presentation Rubric and Photo Essay Rubric. Allow time for students to conduct research and craft photo essay. Students may collect images for

presentation/essay at home.

Phase 5 – Photo Essay Display

Helpful Hints

Have students work in collaborative groups of four. Make sure to emphasize to students that, to be a fair trial, their experiments should only test one

variable at a time. Put newspaper under the stream tables to help with clean up. If this is the first time for students to use a program to create a photo essay, you may allow them to

work in groups to print the photos. They may hand write the explanations in the captions, or they may type them using the computer program. All group members to help each other with formatting and saving as needed.

Pair struggling readers with a better reader, or provide audio research for the students to listen to. Allow students to pick their product format so to choose from their interest and learning styles.

Project Reflection and Evaluation: Students will complete the Self Reflection form at the end of the project.

Name ____________________________________ Class #_____

Stream Table Investigation Design Form

Student Planned Experiment

We are trying to find out what happens when ____________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Our hypothesis is _____________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Materials we will use: ______________________

___________________ ________________________

____________________ ________________________

____________________

______________________________________________________________________

___________

We will set up our stream table like this:

Stream Table Investigation Design Form

Procedure: (use an additional page if necessary)

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Our stream table looked like this after the experiment.

We learned that _______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Oral Presentation Rubric

Name: __________________________________ Date: ____________

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1

Speaks Clearly

I spoke clearly all the time and did not mispronounce any words.

I spoke clearly all the time but mispronounced one word.

I spoke clearly some of the time or I mispronounced some words.

I often mumbled or could not be understood, or I mispronounced many words.

Volume My volume was loud enough to be heard by all audience members throughout the presentation.

My volume was loud enough to be heard by all audience members most of the time.

My volume was loud enough to be heard by all audience members some of the time.

My volume was often too soft to be heard by all audience members.

Posture and Eye Contact

I stood up straight, looked relaxed and confident. I established eye contact with everyone in the room during the presentation.

I stood up straight and established eye contact with everyone in the room during the presentation.

I sometimes stood up straight and established eye contact.

I slouched and/or did not look at people during the presentation.

Stays on Topic

I stayed on topic all of the time.

I stayed on topic most of the time.

I stayed on topic some of the time.

I did not stay on the topic. It was hard for the audience to determine the topic.

Work Skills Rubric

Name: __________________________________ Date: ____________

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1Working with Others

I almost always listen to, share with, and support the efforts of others. I try to keep people working well together.

I usually listen to, share with, and support the efforts of others. I do not cause "waves" in the group.

I often listen to, share with, and support the efforts of others, but sometimes I am not a good team member.

I rarely listen to, share with, and support the efforts of others. I am not a good team player.

Focus on the task

I consistently stay focused on the task and what needs to be done. I am very self-directed.

I focus on the task and what needs to be done most of the time. Other group members can count on me.

I focus on the task and what needs to be done some of the time. Other group members must sometimes nag, prod, and remind to keep me on-task.

I rarely focus on the task and what needs to be done. I let others do the work.

Attitude I am never publicly critical of the project or the work of others. I always have a positive attitude about the task(s).

I am rarely publicly critical of the project or the work of others. I often have a positive attitude about the task(s).

I am occasionally publicly critical of the project or the work of other members of the group. I usually have a positive attitude about the task(s).

I often am publicly critical of the project or the work of other members of the group. I often have a negative attitude about the task(s).

Pride My work reflects my best effort.

My work reflects a strong effort from me.

My work reflects some effort from me.

My work reflects very little effort from me.

Photo Essay Rubric

Name: __________________________________ Date: ____________

4 3 2 1Photos I have no fewer

than four photos with clear images of erosion.

I have no fewer than three photos with clear images of erosion.

I have no fewer than two photos with clear images of erosion.

I have only one photo with a clear image of erosion.

Examples of Erosion

My photos include no fewer than four different examples of erosion.

My photos include no fewer than three different examples of erosion.

My photos include no fewer than two different examples of erosion.

My photos includes only one example of erosion.

Captions All my photos have captions accurately describing the example of erosion.

One of my photos lacks a caption accurately describing the example of erosion.

Two of my photos lack captions accurately describing the example of erosion.

Three or more of my photos lack captions accurately describing the example of erosion.

Essay Content

In my essay, I included the following: causes of erosion ways to avoid

erosion ways to repair

eroded areas

In my essay, I did not include one of the following: causes of erosion ways to avoid

erosion ways to repair

eroded areas

In my essay, I did not include two of the following: causes of erosion ways to avoid

erosion ways to repair

eroded areas

In my essay, I did not include any of the following: causes of erosion ways to avoid

erosion ways to repair

eroded areas

Essay Grammar and Punctuation*

My essay contains few, if any, of the following errors: grammar punctuation capitalization spelling

These errors do not interfere with the reader’s understanding of my writing.

My essay contains some of the following errors: grammar punctuation capitalization spelling

These errors do not interfere with the reader’s understanding of my writing.

My essay contains several of the following errors: grammar punctuation capitalization spelling

These errors do not interfere with the reader’s understanding of my writing.

My essay contains several of following errors: grammar punctuation capitalization spelling

These errors interfere with the reader’s understanding of my writing.

*Modified from the California Department of Education Standards and Assessment Division Writing Tasks Rubric.

Sample Photos of Erosion for Teacher Power Point and Conversation

Student Self Reflection

Name: _________________ Date: _________

What did I learn about erosion from this project?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________What questions about erosion do I still have?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How could your teacher make this project better for future classes?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________