Symons 2012

Pay It Forward Project: Environmental Edition

Environmental Group: _____________________________________ Essential Question:
What environmental need do you notice at Finney? How can we change the habits of students and teachers to address your concern?

Project Design Criteria:

A) Persuasive Letter with an Action Plan -- Due by Monday, January 30th

*Group Project: Your group's persuasive letter must explain why your group project should be approved by Ms. Symons, Mr. Fernando, and Mrs. Amador. You also need to create a step-by-step plan that lays out how you will achieve your group goal.

B) Reflection Journal -- Due by Friday, March 2nd

*Individual Project: You will write weekly reflections about your thoughts, group progress, information you learned, and issues that come up during your project. You will need to save every reflection.

C) Art project made out of recycled materials -- Due by Monday, March 5th

*Individual Project: With your family, you will create a project that is made out of recycled materials. Your art project will be displayed during our Exhibition Night. All projects must be safe to bring to school! Use the following websites to find ideas! http://www.resourcefulschools.org/activities/recycled-crafts http://www.make-stuff.com/indexes/recyclingindex.html http://www.countryliving.com/crafts/projects/green-crafts-0309 (advanced projects) http://kinderart.com/recycle/

D) Final Exhibition Project -- Due by Monday, March 5th *Your group must choose one way to display your information: Tri-fold Display board PowerPoint Story Board

Symons 2012 *All final projects must include: (1) your group's name, (2) your goal statement, (3) action plan, (4) each members' most valuable reflection, (5) a statement about how your project changed Finney's environment, (6) examples of products your group made, (7) your plan for the continuation of the project next year, and (8) what you learned about yourself and the environment.

Project Timeline:

January 2012
Sunday 15 Monday 16 No School Tuesday 17
Introduce project & create groups.

Wednesday 18
Identify pros and cons of project. Begin introduction of persuasive essay.

Thursda y 19

Friday 20
Refine group goal. Create focus research questions . Gather nonfiction books.

Saturday 21

Create group goal and identify research resources

22

23

Create group Action Plan.

24

Computer LabAnswer Research Questions . Edit action plans.

25

Write argument and counterargu ment of persuasive essay.

26

Write conclusio n of persuasiv e essay. Group critique.

27 28 Final edit of persuasi ve essay & action plans.

29

30

Persuasiv e Essay Due

31

Symons 2012

February 2012
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesd Thursday ay 1 2 Ms. Practice Symons Proposal/ at Critique Writing Benchma rk. No project work. 8 9 Friday 3
Present proposal to Ms. Amador.
Progress Check Meeting.

Saturday 4

6
Individual groups carry out action plan.

10
Progress Check Meeting

11

12

13

14

15

16 Progress Check Meeting 23

17 No School 24 Progress Check Meeting

18

19

20 No School

21

22

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March 2012
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesd ay Thursday 1 Final Wrap Up of Project 4 5 Family Recycled Art Project Due 12
Maintenan ce of group projects through May 31st.

Friday 2
Reflection Journal Due

Saturday 3

11

6 Prep and Practice for Exhibitio n Night 13

7 Prep and Practice for Exhibitio n Night 14

8
Exhibition Night 5-7pm

10

15
ParentTeacher Conferences

16
ParentTeacher Conferences

17

18

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ParentTeacher Conferences

20
ParentTeacher Conferences

21
ParentTeacher Conferences

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ParentTeacher Conferences

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Symons 2012

CA State Standards -- 6th Grade

Writing Application 2.5 Write persuasive compositions: (a) State a clear position on a proposition or proposal, (b) Support the position with organized and relevant evidence, (c) Anticipate and address reader concerns and counterarguments. Speaking Applications 2.4 Deliver persuasive presentations: a. Provide a clear statement of the position; b. Include relevant evidence; c. Offer a logical sequence of information; d. Engage the listener and foster acceptance of the proposition or proposal. Organization and Delivery of Oral Communication 1.4 Select a focus, an organizational structure, and a point of view, matching the purpose, message, occasion, and vocal modulation to the audience. 1.5 Emphasize salient points to assist the listener in following the main ideas and concepts. 1.6 Support opinions with detailed evidence and with visual or media displays that use appropriate technology. 1.7 Use effective rate, volume, pitch, and tone and align nonverbal elements to sustain audience interest and attention. Structural Features of Informational Materials 2.1 Identify the structural features of popular media (e.g., newspapers, magazines, online information) and use the features to obtain information. Comprehension and Analysis of Grade-Level-Appropriate Text

Symons 2012 2.4 Clarify an understanding of texts by creating outlines, logical notes, summaries, or reports. Science Resources 6. Sources of energy and materials differ in amounts, distribution, usefulness, and the time required for their formation. As a basis for understanding this concept: b. Students know different natural energy and material resources, including air, soil, rocks, minerals, petroleum, fresh water, wildlife, and forests, and know how to classify them as renewable or nonrenewable. c. Students know the natural origin of the materials used to make common objects.