Mr. Skipper dot Com

Project Elements

 

www.mr-skipper.com/research

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Purpose:

• To research the importance of saving your endangered species

• To persuade others through the use of media including, but not limited to, your research paper and website.

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1. Student Biography (example)

    - 200-300 words (30 pts)

    - Grammar, Punctuation, etc (10 pts)

    - Voice (10 pts)

    - 3rd person POV (10 pts)

    - Personal History (10 pts)

    - Recent Accomplishments (10 pts)

    - Goals (10 pts)

    - Hobbies, Interests, and Talents (10 pts)

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2. Bio Poem

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3. Reflection on the Year

How have you changed and developed as a student over the last year? Reflect on how your personality traits, your interests, your leadership ability, your dreams, and your strengths and weaknesses have changed. Think about the choices you've made and the company you keep. Consider anything relevant to your growth as a person and as a student over the last year.  

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4. Research Poem (<-- click for more)

• Brainstorm any/everything you want to include.

• Do a free write…even if it begins in paragraph form…you can convert it to poetic form later.

• 12 pt. / Georgia

• Use 1st Person Point of View (from the perspective of a person, invention, movement, idea).

• Include AT LEAST 10 facts from research.

• Include AT LEAST 28 lines; feel free to use stanzas!

• Include AT LEAST 5 examples of literary devices (metaphor, simile, hyperbole, personification, onomatopoeia, pun, dialogue, alliteration, etc…) 

• Your poem should have a rhythm to it so it doesn’t “sound” like a paragraph.

• Create a creative title (pun, alliteration, etc. may help).

• Include a vast expanse of research or focus on something specific

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5. Your paper must have at least 1,250 words (five typed pages), but no more than 2,000 words.

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6. Sample Outlines: endangered outline  invasive outline

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7. Sample Paper  

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8. Taking Notes 

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Notice how this example introduction goes from its broad hook to the narrow thesis.

 

          The Amazon rainforest is home to many unique animals and plants. Even though this biome has a rich biodiversity, many of its species are considered endangered because of the ongoing developmental activities that have significantly reduced the number of animals and plants in this habitat. The Poison Dart Frog, for example, is one of the rarest amphibians on earth and is only found in the Amazon rainforest. They are considered endangered because their natural habitat is at risk of massive destruction. Efforts must be made to protect the Poison Dart Frog because if it becomes extinct, the spiders, ants, termites, and many other insects it feeds upon will become overpopulated, which can cause further harm to the environment.

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Endangered Species Outline

 

       I. Introduction (Hook, transition, thesis [SOaR])  150-200 words

The thesis must stress why the animal needs to be saved.

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     II. Description  250-300 words

A. Common name as well as scientific name

B. Size and physical description of the organism

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     III. Habitat 250-300 words

A.Where in the world does your animal live? Be specific.

B. Describe its habitat.

C. Is your animal's habitat in danger? If so, why?

D. Any adaptations that the species has that enable it to live in its habitat

 

     IV. Food 250-300 words

A. What does your animal eat?

B. How does it find or catch its food? Does it hunt in a pack or solo?

C. Is your animal the prey of any other animal?

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      V. Issues 350-500 words

Explain why your species is endangered and at what level (critically endangered, endangered, threatened, etc.). What is the current status of the species in the wild? In captivity? Does your animal's reproductive "situation" have anything to do with its endangered status? (How many babies does it have and how many grow up?)

 

     VI. Conclusion / Preservation Plan 350-500 words

Explain why this species should be preserved. (EXAMPLE: If this species were to go extinct, how would it affect the habitat/food web where it is found?) What other factors must be considered when making decisions about this species? Support your statements with factual information, not emotional reactions. What is being done or can be done or should be done regarding your endangered species? In some cases, wildlife preserves may be an option. In other cases, negotiations with industries or other segments of society may be called for. Sometimes, it may appear that the species is not worth saving because the cost of preservation is greater than the cost of extinction.

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Invasive Species List (animals and plants)

1. Asian Carp

2. Asian Longhorned Beetle

3. Brown marmorated stink bug

4. bullfrogs

5. Burmese python

6. cactus moth

7. Canada thistle

8. cane toads

9. chinaberry tree

10. Cogan grass

11. Euonymus alatus (burning bush)

12. giant salvinia

13. Golden bamboo

14. Gray squirrel

15. gypsy moth

16. killer bees

17. kudzu

18. Northern Snakehead

19. nutria

20. rabbits

21. red fire ants

22. starlings

23. Tree of Heaven

24. wild boar / feral swine

25. zebra mussels

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Example Invasive Species Outline

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I. Introduction (150-200 words)- 

 

II. Taxonomy and Description (200-250 words)

 

III. Introduction to Non-Native Habitat (How did they/ it get here?) 300-400 words

 

IV. Adverse Effects (300-400 words)

                A. Ecological

                B. Environmental

                C. Economic

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(I took out the "Favorable Effects" section, which messed up the word count because I don't imagine most of these invasive species have anything favorable about them. Let me know if I'm wrong.)

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V. Conclusion: Study, Control, and Eradication (What's being done about it?) 250-350 words

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