TITLE/TOPIC: Humans Kill the World

AUTHOR: Ms. Bradford, mbradfor@mail.umw.edu, Biology class

PROJECT SUMMARY: Human action destroys the environments and communities every second of every
day. Today we will walk in another’s shoes to see what is actually happening!

CURRICULUM AREA: Ecology

PARTICIPANT INFORMATION: 10th grade general Biology-3 classes participating

POSTING INFORMATION: https://eyedreamoffeeny.weebly.com/, under (TE)A(CH)ER section, sign up

post by 4/10, draft post by 5/1, response post by 5/3, final post by 5/8, respond to 3 classmates by 5/15

STANDARDS OF LEARNING: BIO 8.d) the effects of natural events and human activities on ecosystems;
BIO 1. i) appropriate technology including computers, graphing calculators, and probeware, is used for
gathering and analyzing data, communicating results, modeling concepts, and simulating experimental
conditions; j) research utilizes scientific literature;

OBJECTIVES: The student will get a deeper understanding of the effects humans have on the
environment.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: “As the human population increases, so does human impact on the
environment. Human activities, such as reducing the amount of forest cover, increasing the amount and
variety of chemicals released into the environment, and intensive farming, have changed Earth’s land,
oceans, and atmosphere. Some of these changes have decreased the capacity of the environment to
support some life forms.”
http://ccps.ss13.sharpschool.com/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=2802738

SCENARIO: You are a _________ . How do humans effect your life?

PROCEDURES: Select an animal or plant that is or was alive with humans. Post your selection on the
blog by 4/10. Make sure your selected topic is different from your classmate’s. Then do some research
on that species and the effects humans have had on their life. DIG DEEP. Write a letter to humans from
your selected species perspective 2-3 pages double spaced, times new roman 12 font, with 1 inch
margins. Include at least 4 sources in MLA format. Make sure to start the letter with

Dear Humans,

……..Your Letter………

From,

(Your Species)

And to include the date, class, and your name. Post your draft by 5/1. Respond to at least 2 of your
classmate’s posts. MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT GIVE YOUR OPINION PLEASE JUST EDIT THEIR POST FOR
NOW. I will respond to each. Take time to make changes to your own post, or not, your choice and post
your final draft to the blog by 5/8. Respond to 3 classmates by 5/15 answering the questions….

1. After reading this post how did you feel about human interaction with this species?
 2. How can this be changed, or improved upon?
3. How does this compare with the species you wrote about?

RESOURCES: Try these

https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/19399170

http://www.ecology.com/

https://www.nature.com/subjects/ecology
https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/ecology/
https://phys.org/biology-news/ecology/

TEACHING/LEARNING STRATEGIES: This project allows for differentiation. Students can select what they
would like to research. The writing is informal, but it allows the student to improve upon literacy and
letter writing. Make sure to include a class period for research collection this way I can help them.

ASSESSMENT:

Green (1) Yellow (2) Almost there Red Hot (4) You got it (5)
(3)
Spelling,
Grammar, >10 errors and <7 errors and <7 errors <5 errors <3 errors
Punctuation, issues with issues with
and Format format format

Content Missing any Less than Unclear Unclear view Everything well
portion of required length viewpoint, low point, medium composed and
assignment and low effort effort effort required length

Includes any 1 correctly 2/4 correctly ¾ correctly 4 or more

Sources un-credible cited all cited all cited all correctly all
sources or all credible credible credible cited credible
incorrectly sources sources sources sources
cited

Other Comments not Everything Everything Everything

On Time posted, draft posted within a posted within 3 posted, and on
and final week due days due time
posted on time

HOW TO REGISTER: Simply follow the instructions above.