Whose Nature Trail Is This Anyway?
Background information: There is an old railroad bed that was cleared of railroad equipment, ties and debris. Gravel was spread and packed on the old railroad bed. There is a deep ditch on both sides of the railroad bed that has grown in with trees and shrubs. The county performed the initial work. This was to provide a nature trail for the people of the county. The initial rules for use of the trail are that it is to be used for bicycling (pedal) and walking only.
Procedure:
1.Divide the students into three groups by assigning them a number 1, 2, or 3.
2. Assign each group a position to research and defend.
Group 1. Keep the trail as it is for bicycling and walking only.
Group 2. Allow horses to use the trail.
Group 3. Allow snowmobiles and other recreational vehicles to use the trail.
3. Students should compile facts and rationale to support their position. Any suggestions for change of the trail must be completely supported with scientific facts, data, legislative or government law or examples of precedence. Put all this information in a PowerPoint to present to the remainder of the class. (All students must present a portion of the PowerPoint.) As a member of the class you are acting as a member of the county board who will make the final decision on trail use.
4.Students must present their information to the other groups without debate.
5.Write down questions regarding the rationale of other groups.
6.After all groups have had the opportunity to present their rationale, students are to ask their questions and debate the positions presented.
Examples of information that should be addressed in the content and comprehension of the topic (Scoring Rubric Attached):
1.Noise Pollution
2.Water Pollution
3.Air Pollution
4.Run off - siltation and chemicals
5.Erosion
6.Safety
7.Financial Burden
a.Dissemination of permits and license
b.Taxes of entire county
c.Taxes of adjacent land owners
d.Future of organizations donating time and money
8.Number of animal and ATV/snowmobiles using the trail (law enforcement)
9.Names of local, county and state officials that may have an influence on this project.
10.Laws and limits that refer to pollution, environment and safety.
Teacher name: Student Name(s) ______Topic / Hypothesis ______
CATEGORY / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1
Content
X 5 = ______/ Shows a full understanding of the topic. / Shows a good understanding of the topic. / Shows a good understanding of parts of the topic. / Does not seem to understand the topic very well.
Preparedness
X 1 = ______/ Student is completely prepared and has obviously rehearsed. / Student seems pretty prepared but needed more rehearsals. / The student is somewhat prepared, but it is clear that rehearsal was lacking. / Student does not seem at all prepared to present. The topic information was read to the class.
Power Point
X 3 = ______/ Student uses several pictures, graphs or non-text information that show considerable work/creativity and which make the presentation better.
Animation was not a distraction. Grammar and sentence structure is accurate. / Student uses few pictures, graphs or non-text information that shows some work/creativity and which make the presentation better. Animation was a slight distraction. Grammar and sentence structure has no more than 1 error. / Student uses limited pictures, graphs or non-text information that shows limited work/creativity, which makes the presentation somewhat better. Animation distracts from the content. Grammar and sentence structure has 2 or more errors. / The student uses no pictures, graphs or non-text information to improve the presentation. Animation distracts from the content on a regular basis. Grammar and sentence structure has many errors.
Comprehension
X4 = ______/ Student researched the topic completely and is able to accurately answer and defend almost all questions posed by classmates about the topic. / Student researched the topic and is able to accurately answer and defend most questions posed by classmates about the topic. / Student did some research and is able to accurately answer and defend a few questions posed by classmates about the topic. / Student did not research the topic and is unable to accurately answer and defend questions posed by classmates about the topic.
Speaks Clearly
X 1 = ______/ Speaks clearly and distinctly all (95-100%) the time, and mispronounces no words. / Speaks clearly and distinctly all (95 -100%) the time, but mispronounces some words. / Speaks clearly and distinctly most (85-94%) of the time. Mispronounces words often. / Often mumbles or cannot be understood OR mispronounces words consistently.
Volume
X 1 = ______/ Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members throughout the presentation. / Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members at least 90% of the time. / Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members at least 80% of the time. / Volume often too soft to be heard by all audience members.
Enthusiasmand Presentation Style
X 2 = ______/ Facial expressions and body language generate a strong interest and enthusiasm about the topic in others.
Eye contact was obtained and maintained. / Facial expressions and body language sometimes generate a strong interest and enthusiasm about the topic in others.
Eye contact was obtained but not maintained. / Facial expressions and body language are used to try to generate enthusiasm, but seems somewhat phony. Eye contact was limited. / Very little use of facial expressions or body language. Did not generate much interest in topic being presented. Read to the audience. Eye contact not obtained.
Total ______/ 68