Microorganisms A Assignments

Microorganisms A Assignments

Complete this set of assignments and, to move on to the next set of assignments, you must: Complete the assignment below. Assignment Completed Complete Microorganisms Scrapbook assignment Select and complete one (1) assignment. Assignment Completed Complete Microorganisms Website Booklet Complete Microorganisms Children s Book Assignment Complete Microorganisms Video Complete I m the Best! Complete Teaching Microorganisms Complete Invisible Allies/Invisible Enemies Assignment You may do the optional assignment alone or with one or more partner(s).

Microorganisms Scrapbook (modified from a project found in NASA Scrapbooks in Science) Your task is to create a scrapbook of items relating microorganisms. It must include at least 10 separate entries, but may not include more than two each from categories 1-5, and one each from categories 6-8. Category no. 9 may be used only once and is REQUIRED as the final entry! 1. Illustrations (photographs or pictures) along with your explanation of the microorganism and what it does. If the photo is from a website or book, you must document its source! 2. Think about what you have learned during this unit. Write at least 10 (ten) questions that would help you better understand microorganisms. 3. A brief description (two or more paragraphs) of how microorganisms cause benefit or harm as a result of their interaction with living things. 4. A brief description of how microorganisms are becoming resistant to antibiotics, the cause of the resistance, and what is being done. 5. Examples of how microorganisms are used in advertising, movies, television shows, etc. Sources must be identified, as well as a description how microorganisms are being represented. 6. Evaluation of clippings from newspapers or articles. The article must be included in its entirety, along with the name of the source and date of publication. Your evaluation of the article s content may include your agreement or disagreement of conclusions or choices and your reasons, your opinion on the importance of the information being presented, what you would have done differently under those circumstances, etc. 7. A poem that you have composed about the benefits of microorganisms. 8. Artwork you have created about microorganisms. 1

9. Reflections on the progress you feel you have (or have not) made in better understanding the world of microorganisms and the methods scientists use in seeking the secrets of nature. REQUIRED OF ALL STUDENTS Students may increase their proficiency level by: Doing an additional entry from categories 6-8. For #7, write a poem you have composed about the harmful effects of microorganisms. All items in your scrapbook should be presented on standard 8.5 x 11 sheets of paper and stapled together. Do not put them in folders or binders! By whatever means you choose to do so, the purpose of this scrapbook is to help you notice ways in which microorganisms are connected to your life and your experiences. 2

Microorganisms Scrapbook Rubric The assignment covers the following objectives in the 6 th Grade Utah State Core Curriculum: STANDARD V: Students will understand that microorganisms range from simple to complex, are found almost everywhere, and are both helpful and harmful. Objective 1: Observe and summarize information about microorganisms. Objective 3: Identify positive and negative effects of microorganisms and how science has developed positive uses for some microorganisms and overcome the negative effects of others. CATEGORY 4 3 2 1 Content - Accuracy All facts in the scrapbook are accurate. 99-90% of the facts in the scrapbook are accurate. 89-80% of the facts in the scrapbook are accurate. Fewer than 80% of the facts in the scrapbook are accurate. Knowledge Gained all questions the scrapbook above what is required for the assignment. all questions the scrapbook. most questions the scrapbook. few questions the scrapbook. Required Content Additional material is included above what is required. All required material is included. 90% of required material is included. Less than 90% of material is included. Writing - Grammar most questions the scrapbook. There are no grammatical mistakes in the scrapbook after feedback from an adult. There are 3-5 grammatical mistakes in the scrapbook even after feedback from an adult. There are more than five grammatical mistakes in the scrapbook even after feedback from an adult. Attractiveness & Organization The scrapbook has exceptionally attractive formatting and well-organized information. The scrapbook has attractive formatting and well-organized information. The scrapbook has well-organized information. The scrapbook's formatting and organization of material are confusing to the reader. 3

Microorganisms Website Book Make a booklet of Internet sites dedicated to microorganisms. Include cover page, table of contents and home page of at least 10 sites. Basic instructions Use 8½ x 11 paper folded in half. Put one site per page. On each page, list the following information Name of website. Website URL (address) A description of what information the website offers. Remember, you are writing this book for someone who wants to learn about microorganisms. Microorganisms Children s Book Assignment You have learned all about microorganisms this trimester. Now you get to take what you ve learned and use it to teach someone else. Your assignment is to make a children s books about microorganisms. Write it so a 2 nd grader could understand what you re telling them. The book needs to have the following: A cover (remember, your cover has to be interesting and catch your reader s attention). Pictures. Use pictures to help tell your story. Most picture books have drawn pictures. Use the pictures you have at your desk and use those to illustrate your book. Include the following types of microorganisms Bacteria Fungi Protozoan Algae Include the following about each of the types of microorganisms Explain what they are. How microorganisms help us. Foods made using microorganism. 4

Possible diseases caused by microorganisms. A short test about your book. You may use the Tikatok website to make your book. Use your creativity and have fun! Microorganisms Video You have been hired by an educational network to produce a video series. You have a choice of two topics for your first episode. You can make a video showing the beneficial effects of microorganism or you can make a video showing the harmful things microorganisms do. Create a sample video (using Microsoft Movie Maker) of your first episode and share it with the class. It must be at least 2½ minutes long. I m the Best! Bacteria and fungi are having a disagreement about which is the most helpful organism. Write and present a play that follows their debate and shows who the most helpful organism is. Teaching Microorganisms Make a PowerPoint presentation that teaches students about microorganisms we have discussed in class. Describe them; tell how they are helpful; tell how they are harmful. Present your PowerPoint to the class. 5

Invisible Allies/Invisible Enemies Book Read a chapter in either Invisible Allies or Invisible Enemies (exception do not read chapter about AIDS). Report on the chapter using one of the following methods. Summarize the chapter in poem form with rhyme (minimum 20 lines). Write a one minute radio public service announcement sharing information in the chapter. You're the reporter. Write a front page news story or a report live from the scene. Script It! Write a movie script for the chapter you read. Work with other classmates and make a movie based on the script. Have a talk show where you are the host and another student who has read the chapter is your guest. Ask questions about the book. Record your interview. Make a PowerPoint presentation for someone who has not read the chapter sharing the important information in the chapter 6