HUMAN GROWTH PROJECT Science Project for the sixth six weeks

TODAY’S DATE: 4/12/17(A) & 4/13/17(B) DUE DATE: 5/17/17(A) & 5/18/17(B)

Dear Parents,

As we end the unit on the human body, specifically the reproductive system, students will be doing a project on human growth and development. There will be two options for students in this project and they have about five weeks to complete it. Depending on which option they choose, they will need to interview you concerning their early life. This project will be done outside of class time.

We realize the presence of a variety of family situations; we want to respect that and offer students whichever option they wish to do. Please understand that this is not intended to pry into a student’s background in an invasive manner. If a student chooses Option B, they may choose what they wish to report as far as their early life.

Please look over the information in this packet and examine both options. There are some sample questions if students decide to use them; they are not required to use any of the questions we’ve provided. Again, the choice is theirs.

We want to express our thanks ahead of time for providing the time and effort to speak to your 7th grader if they choose Option B. It may involve getting out photos and their baby books or journals.

Thanks for taking the time to read through this carefully and view the rubrics and sample questions on our websites as well.

We are hoping that this will be a positive learning experience for all involved.

Again, thanks for your support.

Sincerely,

Karen C. Green Marie Guerrero Cindy Moringy

mguerre2@austinisd.org

512.841.1415 voicemail512.841.1417 voicemail 512.841.1411 voicemail

Students may choose one of the following options to report human growth and development. There are directions and rubrics for both options.

*****Option A: Human Growth and Development*****

Student will write a research report about the development of humans, including the following information. Each section should contain at LEAST one to two, seventh-grade level paragraphs.

1)Prenatal development conception to 12 weeks (first trimester) This includes a picture or drawing of this stage of development.

2)Prenatal development 12 weeks to 24 weeks (second trimester) This includes a picture or drawing of this stage of development.

3)Prenatal development 24 to 36 weeks (third trimester) This includes a picture or drawing of this stage of development.

4)Process of labor and delivery/birth of the baby

5)Development of newborn to 2 years old

6)Development 3 years to 11 years old

7)Development and changes during adolescence

REMINDERS ABOUT THE REPORT:

  • The report needs to be typed, size 12 or 14 font, using Arial or some standard print, double spaced.
  • If report isdone by hand, it needs to be in blue or black ink and it needs to be LEGIBLE. No reports accepted in pencil.
  • No rough draft needs to be turned in. If a student wishes to do a rough draft that is fine but it is not required.
  • Done in essay format, with complete sentences, ideas set apart by paragraphs, and the information required answered thoroughly.
  • Bibliography of sources used, at least 3 sources which can be internet, book, encyclopedia. NO TEXTBOOKS may be used.
  • Project will count TWO times for the sixth grading period.
  • NO LATE PROJECTS WILL BE ACCEPTED. These need to be graded and returned in a timely manner. If a student will miss the date the project is due, they need to turn it in on their returning date to campus. If a student KNOWS they’re going to miss the due date, they need to turn that in prior to the due date.

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*****OPTION B: MY LIFE FROM MY PARENTS’ PERSPECTIVE*****

Students will write a narrative essay about their own growth and development, from prenatal development to their present age. The information and research can be from their parents, grandparents, family friends, relatives other than your parents, foster parents, guardians--- anyone who has had a part in your development and raising you may contribute to this report. There are directions, sample questions and a rubric for this option.

Baby books, journals, photos may be used. The finished product needs to be typed, Arial or some standard easy to read font, size 12 or 14 font. Each section should contain at LEAST one to two paragraphs.

If hand-written, the report needs to be in blue or black ink and needs to be LEGIBLE. No reports accepted in pencil. Please be CREATIVE with your narrative.If you simply list the things that happened at each stage of your life, that will have a pretty monotonous tone to it. In other words, it won’t sound very creative. 

  1. What parents remember about your prenatal development conception to 12 weeks (first trimester)
  2. What parents remember about your prenatal development 12 weeks to 24 weeks (second trimester)
  3. What parents remember about your prenatal development 24 to 36 weeks (third trimester)
  4. Labor and delivery/birth of the baby
  5. Development of newborn to 2 years old
  6. Development 3 years to 11 years old
  7. Development and changes during adolescence

REMINDERS ABOUT THE REPORT:

  • The report needs to be typed, size 12 or 14 font, using Arial or some standard print, and double spacing.
  • If report is done by hand, it needs to be in blue or black ink and it needs to be LEGIBLE. No reports accepted in pencil.
  • Baby Pictures may be used or copies of pictures but NOT required. No points taken off if no pictures are used and no extra credit if they are used. Students need to be sure they have parents’ permission to use pictures.
  • No rough draft is required.
  • Done in essay format, with complete sentences, ideas set apart by paragraphs, and the information required answered thoroughly.
  • This can be written in the first or third person, using whichever you choose.
  • A Bibliography page needs to be included, listing all the resources you spoke to or personal baby books you used. This option doesn’t include having to use resources as the research paper in Option A, so most of the research will be with family and friends who know facts about your early life.
  • Project will count TWO times for the sixth grading period. NO LATE PROJECTS WILL BE ACCEPTED. These need to be graded and returned in a timely manner. If a student will miss the date the project is due, they need to turn it in on their returning date to campus. If a student KNOWS they’re going to miss the due date, they need to turn that in prior to the due date.

****SAMPLE QUESTIONS FOR OPTION B CAN BE FOUND POSTED ON MY WEBSITE AND ARE WITH THIS PACKET. *****

*****RUBRICS FOR EACH OPTION ARE POSTED ON MY WEBSITE. *****

*****Please Note: If you do not have access to a computer, please ask me for a paper copy of these.

Jot down any questions you may have while the teacher explains this project to you today. If she/he doesn’t answer your question, then raise your hand and ask it when the teacher is done explaining the project

1.

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5.

RUBRIC FOR OPTION A:

Category / Exceeds Standard / Meets Standard / Nearly Meets Standard / Does Not Meet Standard
Material/ content / The writer provides facts and quotations from a variety of sources and each section. Facts and ideas are either expressed in the writer’s words or else completely and correctly documented. The body of the report supports and develops the writer’s thesis, and it contains no extraneous ideas (20 pts) / The writer provides facts and quotations from several sources and each section. Facts and ideas are either expressed in the writer’s words or else documented. The body of the report supports and develops the writer’s thesis, and it usually exhibits unity and coherence.
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(15 pts) / The writer provides facts and quotations from more than one source and not each section. Facts and ideas are not always documented or expressed in the writer’s words. The body of the report lacks real unity and coherence, although most details are somewhat related to the topic... (10 pts) / The writer provides a mixture of opinions, facts, and statements and some sections are missing.
Facts and ideas are often not expressed in the writer’s words or else they lack documentation.
The body of the report lacks unity and coherence, and may be difficult to understand.
(0-5 pts)
Organization / Writer demonstrates logical and subtle sequencing of ideas through well-developed paragraphs; transitions are used to enhance organization. (20 pts) / Paragraph development present but not perfected. (15 pts) / Logical organization; organization of ideas not fully developed. (10 pts) / No evidence of structure or organization. (0-5 pts)
Mechanics and sentence structure. / There are few or no errors in mechanics, usage, grammar, or spelling. Word choice is precise and appropriate for the audience. (20 pts) / There are minor errors in mechanics, usage, grammar, or spelling. Word choice is usually appropriate for the audience. (15 pts) / There are numerous errors in mechanics, usage, grammar, or spelling. Word choice is not always appropriate for the audience. (10 pts) / Numerous errors in mechanics, usage, grammar, or spelling may hinder comprehension. Word choice shows little understanding of the audience. (0-5 pts)
Academic Writing / Contains precise and vivid language (grade-level vocabulary or above) (e.g. use of appropriate synonyms for words, ex. “bring” instead of “get.”) (10 pts) / Contains mostly precise and vivid language (grade-level vocabulary or above) (e.g. use of appropriate synonyms for words, ex. “bring” instead of “get.”) (15 pts) / Contains some precise and vivid language (grade-level vocabulary or above) (e.g. use of appropriate synonyms for words, ex. “bring” instead of “get.”) (10 pts) / Does not contain precise and vivid language (grade-level vocabulary or above) (e.g. use of appropriate synonyms for words, ex. “bring” instead of “get.”) (0-5 pts)
Neatness / The final draft of the report is readable, clean, neat and attractive. Report is typed or written in blue or black ink and paper has professional quality. (10 pts) / The final draft of the report is readable, neat and attractive, but lacks overall professionalism of presentation. Report is written in blue or black ink and has stains. (8 pts) / The final draft of the report is readable and some of the pages are attractive. Report is written in blue or black ink, and it looks like parts of it might have been done in a hurry. (6 pts) / The final report is not neat or attractive. It looks like the student just wanted to get it done and didn't care what it looked like. All or part of the report is written in pencil. (0-4 pts)
Bibliography / The report includes a complete and correct bibliography or source list.
(20 pts) / The report includes an in-
Complete but correct bibliography or source list. (15 pts) / The report includes an incomplete or incorrect bibliography or source list. (10 pts) / The report may not include a bibliography or source list, or this may be incomplete or incorrect. (0-5 pts)

RUBRIC FOR OPTION B:

Category / Exceeds Standard / Meets Standard / Nearly Meets Standard / Does Not Meet Standard
Material/ content / The writer provides facts and quotations from interviews and other sources and each section. Facts and ideas are either expressed in the writer’s words or else completely and correctly documented. . Creativity in the delivery of the information is easily observed. The body of the report supports and develops the writer’s thesis, and it contains no extraneous ideas. (20 pts) / The writer provides facts and quotations from interviews and other sources and each section. Facts and ideas are either expressed in the writer’s words or else documented. Creativity is not easily observed The body of the report supports and develops the writer’s thesis, and it usually exhibits unity and coherence.
(15 pts) / The writer provides facts and quotations from more than one interview and other sources and not each section. Facts and ideas are not always documented or expressed in the writer’s words. Little creativity is observed. The body of the report lacks real unity and coherence, although most details are somewhat related to the topic. (10 pts) / The writer provides a mixture of opinions, facts, and statements without interviewing anyone, and some sections are missing.
Facts and ideas are often not expressed in the writer’s words or else they lack documentation. . No creativity is observed.
The body of the report lacks unity and coherence, and may be difficult to understand.
(0-5 pts)
Organization / Writer demonstrates logical and subtle sequencing of ideas through well-developed paragraphs; transitions are used to enhance organization. (20 pts) / Paragraph development present but not perfected. (15 pts) / Logical organization; organization of ideas not fully developed. (10 pts) / No evidence of structure or organization. (0-5 pts)
Mechanics and sentence structure. / There are few or no errors in mechanics, usage, grammar, or spelling. Word choice is precise and appropriate for the audience. (20 pts) / There are minor errors in mechanics, usage, grammar, or spelling. Word choice is usually appropriate for the audience. (15 pts) / There are numerous errors in mechanics, usage, grammar, or spelling. Word choice is not always appropriate for the audience. (10 pts) / Numerous errors in mechanics, usage, grammar, or spelling may hinder comprehension. Word choice shows little understanding of the audience. (0-5 pts)
Academic Writing / Contains precise and vivid language (grade-level vocabulary or above) (e.g. use of appropriate synonyms for words, ex. “bring” instead of “get.”) (10 pts) / Contains mostly precise and vivid language (grade-level vocabulary or above) (e.g. use of appropriate synonyms for words, ex. “bring” instead of “get.”) (15 pts) / Contains some precise and vivid language (grade-level vocabulary or above) (e.g. use of appropriate synonyms for words, ex. “bring” instead of “get.”) (10 pts) / Does not contain precise and vivid language (grade-level vocabulary or above) (e.g. use of appropriate synonyms for words, ex. “bring” instead of “get.”) (0-5 pts)
Neatness / The final draft of the report is readable, clean, neat and attractive. Report is typed or written in blue or black ink and paper has professional quality. (10 pts) / The final draft of the report is readable, neat and attractive, but lacks overall professionalism of presentation. Report is written in blue or black ink and has stains. (8 pts) / The final draft of the report is readable and some of the pages are attractive. Report is written in blue or black ink, and it looks like parts of it might have been done in a hurry. (6 pts) / The final report is not neat or attractive. It looks like the student just wanted to get it done and didn't care what it looked like. All or part of the report is written in pencil. (0-4 pts)
Bibliography / The report includes a complete and correct bibliography or source list.
(20 pts) / The report includes an in-
Complete but correct bibliography or source list. (15 pts) / The report includes an incomplete or incorrect bibliography or source list. (10 pts) / The report may not include a bibliography or source list, or this may be incomplete or incorrect. (0-5 pts)

SAMPLE QUESTIONS FOR OPTION B: You are not required to use these questions. They’re merely sample questions to use. You may use this sheet as scratch paper but do not turn it in as your finished product or part of your project.

  1. My birth: Was I on time, early, late? How did it go at the hospital while I was being born?
  2. Can you remember what you said when you saw me for the first time?
  3. How did you pick a name for me?
  4. Were you OK with the fact that I was a girl/boy?
  5. What was my birth weight, length, eye color, hair color, special features, etc?
  6. Who was present at my arrival?
  7. What do you remember about me during infancy? As a toddler? Preschool? Kindergarten? Elementary school? Middle school? 7th grade year?
  8. What advice would you have for me about parenting that I can use if I decide MANY YEARS FROM NOW to be a parent? Please be specific.
  9. What’s the most difficult part of parenting? What’s the easiest?

More sample questions: These may be questions that the student asks her/his adoptive parents, foster parents, guardians, etc. 

  1. Describe your family situation however you wish to do so. For example: “I live with my grandparents.”
  2. How old was I when I came to live with this new family?
  3. How did you find me?
  4. What was the first thing you said when you saw me?
  5. How long did you wait to get me from an adoption agency?
  6. Any information you have from your birth family can be included as well.
  7. Who picked my name and how was it picked?
  8. What do you know about my early years before I came to be a part of this family?
  9. What kinds of things do you recall of my first year with you?
  10. Memories from early childhood, preschool, elementary, etc? 6th and 7th grade?
  11. Questions #8 and #9 from first set of questions can be asked here as well.