Links to Student Work
Student Work 1    

ELA

Performance Task

7-1 final

(Content Area)

 

(Grade Level-Task Number)

 

 

Standard(s):

 

Reading

 

E1c  -  The student reads and comprehends informational materials to develop

understanding and expertise and produces written or oral work that:

E1c.1 restates or summarizes information

E1c.2 relates new information to prior knowledge and experience

E1c.3 extends ideas

E1c.4 makes a connection to related topics or information.

 

Writing

 

E2e  -  The student produces a persuasive essay that:

E2e.3 creates and organizes a structure that is appropriate to the needs, values,

           and interests of a specified audience and arranges details, reasons,

           examples, and anecdotes effectively and persuasively,

E2e.4 includes appropriate information and arguments,

E2e.5 excludes appropriate information and arguments that are irrelevant.

            E2e.8:  provides a sense of closure to the writing.

 

 

Performance Task:

 

 

Have you ever thought about which environmental issues will affect your health, safety, and quality of life by the time you are 25?

 

1.  Conduct research into current and future areas of the environmental concerns using the following primary resources for your research:

ü      Print

ü      Internet

ü      Interview

Record your research notes on either a double entry journal or a concept map.  Identify one area of environmental concern that, in your opinion, is in need of immediate attention.  In fact, lack of action on the issue could result in detrimental consequences to society.

 

2.  Write a persuasive letter to or construct a presentation for an environmental agency or special interest group, such as: Environmental Protection Agency, Green Peace, Sierra Club, The Secretary of the Interior, National Highway and Safety Administration, Center for Disease Control, or Federal Aviation Administration.

 

 

Your letter or presentation should include:

ü      An analysis of the research on this topic.

ü      A reflection of your personal opinion/experiences of the issue.

ü      A projection of environmental consequences that would occur without immediate intervention.

ü      Connections to related environmental issues via references, examples, or anecdotes.

ü      Recommendations on how the issue can be resolved.

 

As part of this process, you will need to:

1.      Conduct a peer review and small group discussion to receive recommendations for revision.

2.      Revise and refine your work.

3.      Send a copy of your letter or presentation to the appropriate agency (agencies).

 

 

Circumstances of Performance:

 

The student work is produced under the following conditions:

   X

alone

 

in a group

 

 

 

 

   X

in class

   X

as homework

 

 

 

 

 

with teacher feedback

   X

with peer feedback

 

 

 

 

 

timed

   X

extended project

 

 

 

 

 

 

   X

opportunity for revision

 

Criteria for Success: 

 

The letter must include the following elements:

1.      An analysis of the research from multiple and varied sources.

2.      References to prior knowledge and experiences of this environmental issue.

3.      Extension of ideas (make predictions of possible scenarios that have not happened) for the purpose of persuading your audience.

4.      Relationship of the chosen environmental issue to other environmental issue(s).

5.      Examples or anecdotes or references strongly illustrate author’s perception of the environmental issue.

6.      A succinct statement of your recommendations to the agency about this environmental issue.

7.      Letter is 12-font type not to exceed 2 pages; or a presentation to the class using multimedia.

 

Related Standard(s):

 

Speaking, Listening, and Viewing

 

E3b:  The student participates in group meetings, in which the student:

                E3b.4:  responds appropriately to comments and questions.

E3b.5:  volunteers contributions and responds when directly solicited by teacher or    discussion leader.

E3b.6:  gives reasons in support of opinions expressed.

 

E3c:  The student prepares and delivers an individual presentation in which the student:

E3c.2:  shapes content and organization according to criteria for importance and impact rather than according to availability of information in resource materials;

E3c.3:  uses notes or other memory aids to structure the presentation;

E3c.4:  develops several main points relating to a single thesis;

E3c.5:  engages the audience with appropriate verbal cues and eye contact;

E3c.6:  projects a sense of individuality and personality in selecting and organizing content, and in delivery.

 

Conventions, Grammar, and Usage of the English Language

 

E4a:  The student demonstrates an understanding of the rules of the English language in written and oral work, and selects the structures and features of language appropriate to the purpose, audience and context of the work.

 

E4b: The student analyzes and subsequently revises work to clarify it or make it more effective in communicating the intended message or thought.  The student’s revisions should be made in light of the purposes, audiences, and contexts that apply to the work.