Grade 8 Prose Constructed Response

Research Simulation Task

Informational Essay- Alien Invaders

Writing Task

You have read several r-book texts and watched videos that describe plant, insect and animal invader species that harm the environment.

When in their own natural environment, plant, insect, and animal speciesdo notcause problems because they have natural predators to keep populations in balance. When non-native species travel to new countries and regions, the invader the can cause irreversible harm to the new environment in a variety of ways. Invaders can permanently alter or change the new environment. According to The US Fish and Wildlife Service, there are approximately 50,000 invasive species currently in the United States. The Burmese Python, a non-native species to the Florida Everglades, has an estimated population close to 100,000 strong! The Everglades is an expansive area of land in south Florida, which consists of 1.5 million acres of wetland. With no natural predator and excellent swimming skills, the pythons feel right at home in the Everglades. The US government is working hard to keep these non-native snakes from causing irreparable damage to the environment.

Task: Research the Alien Invader Species- Burmese Python using at least two separate sources. Gather information for each species where you answer the following questions:

In what ways do the presence of the Burmese Python negatively harm the new environment?
What steps are being taken to stop the spread of the Burmese Python in the Florida Evergladesand have they been successful?

Write an essay that discusses the harmful effects of the Burmese Python in the new environment. Provide background information for your species such as where the species originates from, and how it got to the Florida Everglades. Be sure to include evidence from both of the texts to support your ideas.

Source 1: Scope “The Snake That’s Eating Florida” by Lauren Tarshis
Source 2: Readworks Digital “Pythons Invade the Florida Everglades”

A Strong Essay will demonstrate…

Comprehension of the text
Follows an organized structure (introduction, body, and conclusion).
Capitalizes and denotes titles correctly.
Does not use personal pronouns (I, me, my.) Uses rhetorical questions, if needed.
Includes detailed body paragraphs with text evidence.
Uses quotation marks correctly.
Uses advanced vocabulary (grade 8 and beyond).
Has been edited for Mechanics, Usage, and Grammar mistakes.

Break Down the Prompt

A. What two questions is the prompt asking?

In what ways do the presence of the Burmese Python negatively harm the new environment?
What steps are being taken to stop the spread of the Burmese Python in the Florida Everglades species and have they been successful?

B. What do you need to write your essay about?

Discuss the harmful effects of the Burmese Python in the new environment. Provide background information for your species such as where the species originates from, and how it got to the new environment.

C. How many sources do you need to include evidence from? 2

Where do I start?

Read each text and text mark examples of ways the Burmese Python is negatively harm the Everglades, Background information that can be helpful to include in the introduction, and any steps that are being taken to stop the spread to the python.
Complete the Introduction Organizer using the prompt and background information found in the articles to assist.
Complete the Body Paragraph 1 Organizer
Complete the Body Paragraph 2 Organizer
Complete the Conclusion Organizer
Transfer information from the organizers to begin drafting an Informational Essay
Peer Review- Revise and Edit
Publish Final Writing

Introduction- Paragraph 1

Grab Your Readers Attention
shocking statement or fact, ask a question) / Ex. Did you know there are approximately 50,000 invasive species currently reside in the United States?
Give background information
use the prompt to help!) Discuss where the species originates from, and how it got to the new environment. / When non-native species travel to new countries and regions, the invader the can cause irreversible harm to the new environment for a variety of reasons. Invaders can permanently alter or change the new environment.
State your claim including the titles/authors of the article / The articles, “source 1” by author and “source 2” by author discuss the harmful effects of the invader species on the new environment. Both sources discuss steps that are being taken stop the spread of the alien invader species.

Paragraph 2

Source 1-Scope “The Snake That’s Eating Florida” by Lauren Tarshis

A
Answer the question that supports the essay’s claim / In what ways do the presence of the Burmese Python harm the new environment?
What steps have been taken to stop the spread of the Burmese Python and have they been successful?
C
Cite evidence from the text to support your answer / Go back into the article and highlight parts of the text to support the ways in which Pythons harm the environment.
How to Include Quotations in Your Essay
According to Ms. Tarshis, “…”
According to Tarshis, “…”
Lauren Tarshis writes, “…”
The author clearly states, “…”
In the text, “The Snake That’s Eating Florida”...
According to the text, “The Snake That’s Eating Florida”...
An example from the text is…
E
Explain how the text evidence supportsyour answer / What does the quote show? Why is it important? What does it explain?
Transitions to Use after Quotations to Explain
This is important because…
This means that…
In other words, ...
This shows that…
This explains why…
As a result, …
Another example is…

Paragraph 3

Source 2- Readworks “Pythons Invade the Florida Everglades”

A
Answer the question that supports the essay’s claim / In what ways do the presence of Burmese Pythons harm the new environment?
What steps have been taken to stop the spread of the Burmese Python and have they been successful?
C
Cite evidence from the text to support your answer / Go back into the article and highlight parts of the text to support the ways in which Burmese Pythons harm the environment.
How to Include Quotations in Your Essay
According to the author, “…”
The author clearly states, “…”
In the text, “Pythons Invade the Florida Everglades”...
According to the text, “Pythons Invade the Florida Everglades”...
An example from the text is…
E
Explain how the text evidence supportsyour answer / What does the quote show? Why is it important? What does it explain?
Transitions to Use after Quotations to Explain
This is important because…
This means that…
In other words, ...
This shows that…
This explains why…
As a result, …
Another example is…

Conclusion- Paragraph 4

Step 1: Use a transition to show your writing it’s coming to a close
-- In conclusion,
-- It is clear, / In conclusion,the presence of the Burmese Python is harmful to the Everglades in several ways. Not all hope is lost. There are actions being taken to solve the problem.
Step 2: Restate topic/claim (from intro)
-Include title of texts “Thirst” and “Poisonous Water”
-Include authors’ names, if known / The articles, “The Snake That’s Eating Florida” by Lauren Tarshis and “Pythons Invade the Florida Everglades” by Readworks discuss the ways the Burmese Python harms the new environment. Both articles offer solutions to the ongoing invader species growing population within the United States and the actions that are being taken to eradicate the troublesome invader.
Step 3: Restate the main idea of each body paragraph / The article, “source 1” by author discusses (topic from body paragraph 1.) Review steps that were taken in article 1 to solve the problem. The article, “source 2” by author discusses (topic from body paragraph 2.) Review steps that were taken in article 2 to solve the problem.
Step 4: End with a final though to make the reader think about the claim or make a change / Wrap up the essay that touches on the fact that, when left alone, nature is in balance.
Ex. When new life is introduced, there are irreversible consequences to the environment. Scientists need to continue looking for ways to eradicate the invader species from causing further damage.