EARTH AND HUMAN ACTIVITY

6-MS-ESS3-4

Performance Expectation:Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth’s systems. Engaging in argument from evidence in 6-8 builds on K-5 experiences and progresses to constructing a convincing argument that supports or refutes claims for either explanations or solutions about the natural and designed world(s). (nature & people)

• Construct, use, andpresentan oral and written argumentsupported by empirical evidence and scientific reasoning to support or refute an explanation or a model for a phenomenon or a solution to a problem.

In other words, your child can argue! They argue why they need their cell phone, play video games, have a pizza party, or a sleepover with friends. They can argue why they don’t need to do homework or clean their room. They love to argue with you! For what they want.

Each student is assigned a “hot topic”or claim mostly involving problems found in nature due to humans.

Each student MUST:

RESEARCH their assigned “hot topic”

Make a claim, propose an argument, take into account your audience is your fellow classmates, have a clear introduction, what is the problem? And explain your phenomenon

Support it with evidencefrom specific texts

Bring PRINTED research to class with HIGHLIGHTED evidence to support their claim, any video links less than 3 minutes you want to present in class.

Provide a solution, reasoning why you think your solution is the best for the problem, take into account what people who disagree with you might think and try to respond to that by defending your position

Bring a TYPED COPY of your argument which should include:

  • What is the problem?, explanation of phenomenon.
  • What is the solution?, how can this problem be solved
  • Why is this the best solution?, argue your position why this solution is the best

PHENOMENONS:

  1. A London skyscraper melts cars and causes fires.
  2. The Yellow Sea turns green in China.
  3. The Great Barrier Reef is turning white.
  4. Cow farts and climate change.
  5. Fracking
  6. Florida sinkholes
  7. Honey Bee shortage
  8. Opening Bonnet Carre’ Spillway has environmental concerns
  9. Fossil Fuels
  10. Organic Food

Activity Timeline of due dates:

3/26 & 3/27Assignment issued worth aMAJOR TEST GRADE

4/9 & 4/10 Alternative topic with supporting evidence provided for teacher approval

4/19 & 4/20TYPED argument. (what you will say) & PRINTED RESEARCH with HIGHLIGHTED supporting evidence for argument, any video links, less than 3 minutes, students wish to share with class.

4/26 & 4/27Students will present their argument in class. Remember you are trying to SELL your argument. You need to argue that what is happening is important and needs to be changed and your solution is the best solution to solve this very real problem. You can use any APPROPRIATE props, posters, drawings, videos to get your point across. BE PREPARED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS from students. Some students will have the same “hot topic.” You want your solution to be the best and win the argument in class. Don’t be scared to present! This is meant to be fun!

Phenomenon
Assignment / 1st period / 2nd period / 4th period / 5th period / 6th period / 8th period
1. A London skyscraper melts cars and causes fires. / Erick A. R.
Elberneisha B.
Fredia B. / Randy B.
Angel B.
Kaylin B. / Gabriel B.
Aiden B.
Jordan B. / Jaren B.
Ta’Ron B. / Sergio B.
Lee B.
Dylan B. / Destiny A.
Nicholas B.
Johnny B.
2. The Yellow Sea turns green in China. / T’yon B.
Sadji C.
Derrick C. / Kyron C.
Erianna E.
Nyron H. / Leonardo B.
Mia B.
Destina C. / Elijah B.
John C.
Kathleen C. / Hailey B.
Emily B.
Michael B. / Aaliyah B.
Doreium C.
3. The Great Barrier Reef is turning white. / Patrick F.
Jacob F.
Angie G. / Johnathan H.
Zoin H.
Sekayi H. / Jose C.
Joseph C.
Genesis D.S. / Carter D.
Nora F. / Giavonnia C.
Deborah C.
Ethan D. / Alexis F.
Andy G.
Tylor G.
4. Cow farts and climate change. / Ronard H.
Jordan H. / Lance J.
Laylah L.
Nikkolas M. / Elijah D.
Joseph F.O.
Jahkira F. / Logan G.
Jonathan G.
Lance J. / Isabel F.
Marques H.
Nasir J. / Natalia G.
Raveion H.
5. Fracking / Jaydin H.
Christopher H.
Tommy H. / Niles M.
Skylar M.
Tayshia M. / Alice G.
Ja’Nya G.
Micheal H. / Gabrielle K.
Paulina L. / McKayla J.
Aarion L.
Axel M. / Taveion H.
Ruby H.
Chloe H.
6. Florida sinkholes / Mykalia L.
Eneliz L.V. / Breion N.
Laniya R.
Chloe R. / Saibr H.
Travis H.
Madyson L. / Christian L.
Janae N.
Noelle P. / Savannah M.
Dre’ M.
Osiela M. / Lonidra H.
Fernanda L. E.
Michael M.
7. Honey Bee shortage / Evan M.
Izelh M.
Trinity P. / Aaliyah R.
Carly R.
Ashton S. / Rosalee L.
Kevin M.
Ami M. / Jaquese P.
Tyson P. / Morgan O.
Christal P.
Mileydi P. / Jaidyn M.
Lila M.
Dai’Sean M.
8. Opening Bonnet Carre’ Spillway has environmental concerns / Craig S.
Averione S.
Destiny T. / Ayden S.
Cody S.
Jaleah S. / Mia R.
Sharvest R.
Leland R. / Floricel Q.R.
Luis R.
Larrelle S. / Christian P.
Jayda P.
Dennis (D.J.) R. / Katia M.
Landon N.
Aaron P.
9. Fossil Fuels / Tatyana V.
Ava V.
Morgan W. / Demond T.
Juliana W.
Zoe W. / Josel S.P.
Katerin S.
Amyre T. / Cameron S.
Dominick S. / Semaj S.
Connor S.
Darius W. / Ja’Quan P.
Dinah R.
Jalen R.
10. Organic Food / Taylah W.
Jamarion Z. / Kendrick W.
Jyrah W. / Amini V.
Carvel V.
Darianna W. / Zachary S.
Henry T.
Payten W. / Ashanta W.
Zakai W.
Rayjon W. / David S.
Arby V.
Trae W.

Guiding questions to help form an argument.

1. A London skyscraper melts cars and causes fires.

  • How did the skyscraper cause the car to melt?How does the temperature in the “hot zone” change throughout the day?
  • How is light refracted, reflected, absorbed, transmitted, or scattered by the skyscraper?
  • Did the building architect and engineers consider this phenomenon when they designed the building?How is the energy from the sun transformed into heat energy?
  • How do the frequency, wavelength, and amplitude of a wave change when waves travel through different mediums?
  • Design a solution to solve the “hot zone” issue in the London skyscraper, taking into account properties of different materials and how materials can be shaped and used.
  • Explain how is the amplitude of a wave is related to the energy in the wave and how the frequency and wavelength change the expression of the wave?

2. The Yellow Sea turns green in China.

  • What causes the harmful algal blooms to form?What impact do algal blooms have on aquatic ecosystems?
  • How are humans impacted by algal blooms?Are seafood resources negatively impacted by algal blooms?
  • How do ecosystems recover after experiencing harmful algal blooms?
  • What can humans do to eliminate or reduce harmful algal blooms from forming?
  • Where else in the world do algal blooms form?

3. The Great Barrier Reef is turning white.

  • Why are coral reefs turning white? What causes this?
  • Can coral reefs recover after they are bleached?
  • Are other organisms dying as a result of coral bleaching?
  • What is the relationship between the survival of organisms and the availability of resources?
  • How is the availability of resources driving predatory, competitive and mutualistic relationships in an ecosystem?
  • How do human activities contribute to coral bleaching?
  • How does the temperature of water impact coral reefs’ ability to use symbiotic algae?
  • What symbiotic relationships exist within the Great Barrier Reef?
  • How do symbiotic relationships benefit organisms?
  • How do predatory interactions limit the resources available within the Great Barrier Reef?
  • How does coral bleaching impact the availability of resources and populations of organisms living within the Great Barrier Reef?
  • Construct an explanation supported by evidence that the patterns of interactions among organisms in the Great Barrier Reef are impacted by coral bleaching.
  • Construct an argument with evidence that human population and their per-capita consumption of natural resources are impacting Earth’s systems and contributing to coral bleaching.

4. Cow farts and climate change.

  • Are cow farts a problem?What is methane gas?How is methane gas affecting our Earth?
  • How is our climate changing? How does this affect us?How can we reduce methane emissions?
  • Construct an argument with evidence that the production of methane gas is affecting our climate.
  • Construct an explanation supported by evidence that the increase in cow populations have increased methane emissions on a global scale.
  • If we change our diet and consume less hamburgers and steaks can we lower the cow population make a positive impact on climate change?

5. Fracking

  • What is fracking?What are the pros and cons to fracking?
  • What are the long term effects of fracking?
  • Can fracking affect you even if it is not occurring on your land?
  • What are the alternatives to fracking?
  • Construct an argument using supporting evidence why fracking is damaging small towns across America.

6. Florida sinkholes

  • What are sinkholes? How are they formed? Where are they found?
  • Why does Florida have a serious sinkhole problem?
  • How can humans prevent the ground from falling out beneath them?
  • Construct an argument using supporting evidence about a solution to sinkholes in Florida.

7. Honey Bee shortage

  • Why are honey bees so important?Why is there a growing shortage of honey bees?
  • How is the declining population of honey bees going to devastate our food supply?
  • Why should we take the bee deaths so seriously?Why are the bee colonies collapsing?
  • Construct an argument about the alarming death of bees and the impact the colony collapses have on people.

8. Opening Bonnet Carre’ Spillway has environmental concerns

  • Why was the Bonnet Carre’ Spillway constructed?What is it used for on a daily basis?
  • Who makes the decision about when to open the spillway?
  • Why would we need the spillway opened?What are alternates to opening the spillway?
  • Are there plans in the future to improve the spillway design?
  • How is the fishing industry affected by the opening of the spillway?
  • Construct an argument using supporting evidence to solve a problem concerning water quality of Lake Pontchartrain when the bonnet Carre’ Spillway is opened.
  • Construct an argument using supporting evidence to solve fishermen’s problems when the Bonnet Carre’ Spillway is opened.

9. Fossil Fuels

  • What are fossil fuels?How are they formed?What are renewable and nonrenewable resources?How much time do we have before fossil fuels run out?
  • How is our Earth polluted by fossil fuels?
  • What are alternate energy resources to fossil fuels?
  • Construct an argument using supporting evidence why fossil fuels must be replaced with alternate energy resources to reduce pollution of Earth.

10. Organic Food

  • What does organic mean?
  • What is the difference between organic and regular produce in my grocery store?
  • What are the benefits of organic food?
  • Why is there a price difference between organic and regular produce?
  • How do pesticides affect my vegetables?
  • Construct an argument why organic food is better for people than regular produce maintained using pesticides.

PLEASE DO NOT WAIT TO THE LAST MINUTE TO DUE THIS ASSIGNMENT!

BEING PREPARED WILL HELP YOU BE SUCCESSFUL!

PLEASE SOLVE ANY PROBLEMS/QUESTIONS PRIOR TO DUE DATE! Ask me before its due!

If you have no internet or printer at your house go to the LIBRARY or friends house, NO EXCUSES!!!!!